Approved_Street_Species.pdf
PDF 219 KB Posted
- Attached to
- PQ List for Tree Planting
- Solicitation number
- 2026-PQMA-329
- Issued by
- Allegheny County, Philadelphia City, Pennsylvania
About this file
This document is an Approved Street Tree List prepared by the Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission as of January 8, 2020, providing specifications for tree planting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The list categorizes approved tree species into three size categories—large shade trees, medium trees, and small trees—with specific guidance on planting locations and utility line considerations. For each species, the document identifies the common name, Latin name, preferred cultivars, growth habit, frequency of use recommendations, stormwater tree pit eligibility, and special notes regarding susceptibility to disease, hardiness, pruning requirements, and compatibility with other plantings. Large shade trees are designated for areas without overhead electrical distribution lines and represent the most desirable planting size, while medium trees should not be planted under electrical lines, and small trees are reserved for use under electrical distribution wires where utility pruning may occur.
The document serves as the technical specification for the City of Pittsburgh Office of Management & Budget's pre-qualified contractor list for tree planting services. The contract period runs from execution through June 30, 2030, and the city is soliciting qualified contractors to perform tree planting work according to the approved species list and associated requirements. All bidders must submit their completed application packets electronically to contracts@pittsburghpa.gov, with failure to submit through this designated email address resulting in processing delays. The approved species list establishes mandatory compliance parameters for any contractor selected under this pre-qualified list, ensuring consistency in urban forest management and adherence to Pittsburgh's tree canopy and sustainability objectives.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PQ_List_for_Tree_Planting.pdf | ||
| 2026-PQMA-329_Application_Packet.pdf | ||
| Approved_Restoration_Species_2021.pdf | ||
| W9_Form_.pdf | ||
| Approved_Parks_Species_2020.pdf |
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Text version
APPROVED STREET TREE LIST JANUARY 8, 2020
Prepared by Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission 1
APPROVED TREE SPECIES FOR PITTSBURGH’S STREETS
LARGE SHADE TREES - Trees in the Shade Tree category should be planted where no overhead electrical distribution lines exist. Wires on the adjacent side of the street should be checked for conflicts. Shade trees are the most desirable size of tree for planting, and should be used at all times in the absence of overhead electrical distribution utilities.
COMMON
NAME
LATIN NAME PREFERRED
CUTLIVARS
GROWTH
HABIT
FREQUENCY
OF USE
STORMWATER
TREE PIT
NOTES
Maple, Miyabe Acer miyabei
Sparingly Susceptible to verticillium wilt
Hackberry Celtis occidentalis ‘Chicagoland’ ‘Prairie Pride’
Moderately Yes
Hardy Rubber Eucommia ulmoides
Sparingly
Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba ‘Magyar’
Frequently Use of ‘Magyar’ cultivar only, inspect graft union before planting to ensure male variety
Honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos Thornless and fruitless only
Sparingly Yes
Kentucky Coffee Gymnocladus dioicus Fruitless cultivars only
Moderately
Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua
‘Slender Silhouette'
Sparingly Use of this cultivar only. Other cultivars may not be hardy, cause extensive hardscape damage
Black gum Nyssa sylvatica Many cultivars are NOT hardy
Frequently Yes Spring plant only
Prepared by Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission 2
London Plane Platanus x acerifolia ‘Exclamation’ ‘Columbia’ NOT ‘Bloodgood’
Frequently Yes
Oak, Sawtooth Quercus acutissima
Oak, White Quercus alba
Oak, Swamp White
Quercus bicolor
Frequently Yes
Oak, Overcup Quercus lyrata
Oak, Bur Quercus macrocarpa
Sparingly Spring plant only
Oak, Chinkapin Quercus muehlenbergii
Frequently
Oak, Hybrid Quercus Hybrids Regal Prince
Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum
Moderately Yes Highly susceptible to bagworms
Linden, Silver Tilia tomentosa
Zelkova Zelkova serrata ‘Green Vase’ NOT ‘Village Green’
Moderately Early, heavy and frequent pruning required
Prepared by Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission 3
MEDIUM TREES – Do NOT plant under electrical distribution lines.
NAME
LATIN NAME PREFERRED
CULTIVARS
GROWTH
HABIT
FREQUENCY
OF USE
STORMWATER
TREE PIT
NOTES
Maple, Hedge Acer campestre Do NOT use cultivars, straight species only
Moderately Susceptible to verticillium wilt
Maple, Three Flower
Acer triflorum
Sparingly Susceptible to verticillium wilt
Serviceberry, Downy
Amelanchier arborea
‘Cumulus’
Sparingly Rose family, do not plant with cherries, crabapples, hawthorns, pears, serviceberry or juniper
Serviceberry, Apple
Amelanchier x grandiflora
‘Autumn Brilliance’
Sparingly Rose family, do not plant with pears, serviceberry or juniper
Hornbeam, European
Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ ‘Frans Fontaine’
Hornbeam, American
Carpinus caroliniana
Fringe tree, Chinese
Chionanthus retusus
Maackia, Amur Maackia amurensis
Magnolia, Sweetbay
Magnolia virginiana
Hophornbeam Ostrya virginiana
Prepared by Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission 4
SMALL TREES - Use only under electrical distribution wires. These trees will likely be utility pruned, however it will not be severe.
NAME
LATIN NAME PREFERRED
CULTIVARS
GROWTH
HABIT
FREQUENCY
OF USE
STORMWATER
TREE PIT
NOTES
Redbud Cercis canadensis
Sparingly Susceptible to verticillium wilt and canker. Broad habit, plant where pruning will be minimal
Dogwood, Cornelian Cherry
Cornus mas ‘Golden Glory’
Smoketree, Common
Cotinus coggygria
Smoketree, American
Cotinus obovatus
Silverbell, Carolina
Halesia tetraptera
Crabapple Malus spp. ‘Red Jewel’, ‘Spring Snow’ NOT ‘Red Barron’
Frequently Rose family, do not plant with pears, serviceberry or juniper
Cherry, Flowering Prunus spp. ‘Accolade’, ‘Autumnalis’, ‘Snow Goose’ NOT ‘Okame’ or ‘Pink Flair’
Frequently Rose family, do not plant with pears, serviceberry or juniper
Lilac tree Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’
Sparingly Highly susceptible to verticillium wilt
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