Analysis of Street Tree Species Adaptability to Urban Conditions

Abstract

Street tree inventory results from the Wisconsin cities of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids and Bloomer show a total of 55 species from 32 genera and 18 families. American elm (Ulmus americana L.) makes up from 2.9 percent of the total street tree population in Waukesha to 46.8 percent of the Wisconsin Rapids street tree population. The most common tree species encountered in Milwaukee and Waukesha are Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.) and honeylocust (Gleditsia tricanthos inermis Pursh.). Red maple (Acer rubrum L.), silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) and Norway maple are the species most common in Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids and Bloomer. Species analysis shows Norway maple. green ash, littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata Mill.) and honeylocust to be the best adapted species for planting on city streets in Wisconsin. Those tree species not recommended for street planting include boxelder (Acer negundo L.), silver maple, elms (Ulmus spp.) and catalpa (Catalpa speciosa Warder ex Engelm).