Tree Species: A Short List
About:Choosing which tree species to plant can be intimidating. Before you purchase a tree, think about what your goals are for planting the tree i.e. introducing seasonal color, shade, etc. and where existing trees, built structures and utility lines are located. This Right Tree, Right Space, Right at Home philosophy will help you select a tree species that is most appropriate for your home or business. Here is a short list of easy-to-find trees that Casey Trees has had success with in its own plantings across the District. Tree species native to the Mid-Atlantic region are marked with an asterisk. To learn more about a specific tree species, click on its common/scientific name.
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Small/Flowering Species
Medium Species
Evergreen Species
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Large/Shade Species
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Invasive and Problematic Species
What does "invasive" mean?
An invasive tree is a non-native tree whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health.
The following species are invasive and/or problematic and Casey Trees strongly discourages their planting:
- Ash (Fraxinus) – A native tree, but problematic due to the imminent arrival of the invasive insect pest emerald ash borer in the District
- Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) – An invasive tree, also problematic due to a predictable pattern of branch failure as the tree grows
- Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) - An invasive tree
- Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) – An invasive tree whose removal does not require replacement under the District Urban Forest Preservation Act
- Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa) – An invasive tree
- Sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima) – An invasive tree
- Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila) – An invasive tree
- Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) - An invasive tree whose removal does not require replacement under the District Urban Forest Preservation Act
- White mulberry (Morus alba) - An invasive tree whose removal does not require replacement under the District Urban Forest Preservation Act
For more information on invasive species, see the National Invasive Species Information Center.
