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1. 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.

2. Why don’t you have more native trees?

We offer a wide variety of native evergreen species every year. However, while a given species of tree may be considered native to this region that does not mean it will survive or is appropriate in the harsh urban landscape. Our native conifers need a large space, which is often not available in small residential plots, and very rarely in street tree locations. For example, big leaf maple trees, while beautiful in park settings, are prone to branch failure, and therefore best not planted along streets or near homes. We carefully select trees that have been shown to do well in city conditions, including pavement, compaction, and increased air pollution. These are conditions that our native trees are not necessarily well suited for. We never offer invasive species of trees.

3. Can I request a tree that’s not on your planting list?

No. In order for the project to work, we secure trees from nurseries far in advance of the application opening. We cannot change that order, and can offer only what we have already purchased. You can, however, send us suggestions for trees you would like to see offered in the future and we will take that into consideration.

4. Will you have 'X' species of tree next year?

We rotate the species of trees we plant every year due to nursery availability and to avoid the over planting of any given species. We also strive to offer trees that are not commonly available through the 'big box' stores in order to improve the species diversity throughout the city. We do not know what species will be offered in any given year until we have gone through the procurement process in the late-summer/early-fall.

5. Why don’t you provide shrubs / understory plants?

The focus of the Puyallup NeighborWoods program is to build tree canopy cover in residential areas, particularly in watershed areas that have water quality problems, like the Clarks Creek and Puyallup River contributing basins. Shrubs and understory plants, while important, do not achieve that goal and we do not have any funding to provide them. That does not mean that you should not plant them on your own where appropriate.

6. How do I select the best tree for my site?

Take time to evaluate the spots on your property where trees can fit. The survival and health of a tree depends on how well it is suited to the spot that you plant it. When selecting a tree, consider placement (is there enough space for this tree when it grows up?), light, moisture, and type of soil. Consider the height and spread of the tree at maturity.

Envision what the tree will look like in 30+ years. Larger trees provide greater benefits to your neighborhood and our environment. Large trees absorb more storm water, breathe in more carbon dioxide, and breathe out more oxygen than smaller trees. For these reasons, the Puyallup NeighborWoods program recommends planting larger trees whenever appropriate – i.e. we ask that you don't request a tree for under utility lines if you have a large yard area with no overhead utility restrictions. If you want to plant a tree on the street, the city will review your tree selection to ensure you are planting the best tree for your planting strip.

7. Why don’t you offer trees that are larger when planted?

We try to strike a balance between a tree that is large enough to make an immediate difference to the landscape when planted, yet small enough for the average person to carry, transport, and plant themselves. Most of the trees provided are small, with some conifer trees in 3-5 gallon containers (3 - 5 feet tall) and deciduous trees which are 4 - 6 feet tall and less than 1 inch caliper.