How do you choose what species are included?
We strive to offer species that the public will be most interested in planting. However, our species selection must meet a number of guidelines, making it a logistical puzzle. We strive to provide a variety of species to choose from. We must have trees that reach a range of sizes at maturity in order to meet the diverse needs of planting sites across the city. We need trees small enough to go under power lines and large trees that offer the greatest payback in benefits such as storm water reduction.

We need a number of species that are appropriate as street trees, as some program trees end up in these locations. We include many native conifer trees. We try to find trees with features we know are popular, such as flowers. We try to include as many evergreen species as possible, as they offer the greatest benefit to storm water reduction. We never include invasive species or species that are susceptible to loss by future pests and disease, such as ash trees. We try to avoid species that are over-planted in Puyallup, such as red maple and flowering pear. And then given all of those considerations, we can only purchase what is available from the nursery industry with the quantity and timing we need and given the budget we have to work in.

Show All Answers

1. How do you choose what species are included?
2. Why don’t you have more native trees?
3. Can I request a tree that’s not on your planting list?
4. Will you have 'X' species of tree next year?
5. Why don’t you provide shrubs / understory plants?
6. How do I select the best tree for my site?
7. Why don’t you offer trees that are larger when planted?