To promote a healthy and diverse urban forest, the city forester has compiled a list of trees recommended for planting in the right of way. The right of way refers to the area extending 14 to 15 feet behind the curb in your yard. This space accommodates both private and public utilities, so it is essential to choose a recommended tree for this location to minimize potential damage to utilities and reduce maintenance that the City will need to perform over the tree's lifespan.

The recommended trees are disease-resistant and produce limited seedlings, helping to prevent excess plant matter from entering the storm sewer system. These species thrive in the heavy clay soils that are typical of New Hope and have withstood our harsh winters successfully. If you plan to plant a tree within 15 feet of the curb or are selecting a replacement tree as part of the City's replacement program, please consider choosing a tree from the "Recommended for the Right of Way" list provided below.

Overstory Deciduous Trees
American Elms (resistance) - Ulmus americana "Valley Forge" "Princeton" "New Harmony"
Basswood - Tilia americana - native to Minnesota
Bur Oak - Quercus macrocarpa - native to Minnesota
Corktree - Phellodendrom species
Hackberry - Celtis occidentalis - native to Minnesota
Honeylocust (thornless) - Gelditsia triacanthos var. inermis - native to Minnesota
Ironwood - Ostrya virginiana - native to Minnesota
Ginkgo - Ginkgo biloba - (Male only)
Kentucky Coffeetree - Gymnocladus dioius - native to Minnesota
Ohio Buckeye - Aesculus glabra - native to Minnesota
Northern Pin Oak - Quercus ellipsoidalis - native to Minnesota
Red Maple - Acer rubrum - native to Minnesota
Red Oak - Quercus rubra - native to Minnesota
River Birch - Betula nigra - native to Minnesota
Swamp White Oak - Quercus bicolor - native to Minnesota
Sugar Maple - Acer saccharum - native to Minnesota
White Oak - Quercus alba - native to Minnesota

Understory deciduous, overstory coniferous and understory coniferous trees are not recommended for installation in the right of way.

There are additional trees that are Allowed in the Right of Way with Approval, but are not recommended by the city forester. These trees will survive in the Minnesota winters. These trees are not recommended for use in the right of way for a few reasons, sometimes due to the lifespan of the tree or the height or canopy of the tree. Trees with low hanging branches may cause visual impacts to drivers on the road, which may cause the need for more tree trimming.  Trees with pine cones or other fruits/acorns can cause clogging and contamination of the city's storm water system during rain events. Consult with the city forester before installing any of the Allowed in the Right of Way trees in the Right of Way (15' behind the curb on your yard). These trees are all acceptable to be planted elsewhere on your property.

Overstory Deciduous Trees
Black Cherry - Prunus serotina - native to Minnesota
Larch - Larix species
Paper Birch - Betula papyrifera - native to Minnesota
Tamarak - Larix larcina - native to Minnesota

Understory Deciduous Trees
American Wild Plum - Prunus americana - native to Minnesota
Amur Chokecherry - Prunus maackii
Amur Maackia - Maackia amurensis
Apricot - Prunus armeniaca var. mandshurica
Blue Beech - Carpinus caroliniana
Burning Bush Tree - Euonymus alatus - native to Minnesota
Cockspur Hawthorn (thornless) - Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis
Crabapple - Malus species - Apple Scab Resistant ONLY
Cucumbertree Magnolia - Magnolia acuminata
Eastern Redbud - Cercis canadensis
European Mountain Ash - Sorbus aucuparia
Gray Dogwood - Cornus racemosa I- native to Minnesota
Hydrangea (tree) - Hydrangea paniculata
Japanese Tree Lilac - Syringa reticulata
Korean Mountain Ash - Sorbus alnifolia
Mohican (wayfaring) Tree - Viburnum lantana
Nannyberry Tree - Viburnum lentago - native to Minnesota
Pagoda Dogwood - Cornus alternifolia - native to Minnesota
Pear - Pyrus species
Princess Kay Plum - Prunus nigra "Princess Kay"
Sargent Cherry - Prunus sargentii
Serviceberry - Amelanchier species
Sour Cherry - Prunus cerasus "North Star" "Meteor"
Star Magnolia - Magnolia stellata

Overstory Coniferous Trees
Austrian Pine - Pinus nigra
Balsam Fir - Abies balsamea - native to Minnesota
Canadian Hemlock - Tsuga canadensis - native to Minnesota
Douglas Fir - Pseudotsuga menziesii
Eastern Redcedar - Juniperus virginiana - native to Minnesota
Eastern White Pine - Pinus Stribus - native to Minnesota
Jack Pine - Pinus banksiana - native to Minnesota
Norway Spruce - Picea abies - native to Minnesota
Ponderosa Pine - Pinus ponderosa
Red (Norway) Pine - Pinus resinosa - native to Minnesota
Scotch Pine - Punus Sylvestris
Swiss Stone Pine - Pinus cembra 
White Fir - Abies concolor  - native to Minnesota
White Spruce - Picea glauca - native to Minnesota

Understory Coniferous Trees
American Arborvitae - Thuja occidentalis - native to Minnesota
Chinese Upright Juniper - Juniperus chinenses
Mugo Pine - Pinus mugo
Rocky Mountain Juniper - Juniperus scopulorum

There are some trees that are Prohibited in the Right of Way. These trees will cause undue maintenance from the city over the lifespan of the tree. These trees can be installed elsewhere on your property, but it is not recommended due to future maintenance costs that residents may incur due to the nature of these trees.

Overstory Deciduous Trees
Bigtooth Aspen - Populus grandidentata - native to Minnesota
Hybrid Elms - Ulmus hybrids
Little Leaf Linden - Tilia cordata
Norway Maple - Acer platanoides
Northern Catalpa - Catalpa speciosa - native to Minnesota
Pin Oak - Quercus palustris - native to Minnesota
Quaking Aspen - Populus tremuloides - native to Minnesota
Red Mulberry - Morus rubra - native to Minnesota
Siouxland Poplar (Cottonless) - Polulus deltoides "Siouxland"
Walnut - Juglans nigra - native to Minnesota

Understory Deciduous Trees
Pussy Willow - Salix discolor - native to Minnesota

Finally there are some trees that the city does not recommend. On the Do Not Plant list, some trees include variation of willow trees, poplar trees, silver maple trees, and a few other species. These trees are on the Do Not Plant list due to serious maintenance concerns from the city. Typically all of these trees are messy trees that lead to extreme contamination and clogging of the city's curb and storm water system. These trees also may have been very popular in past years, leading to too many of the species in the area. The ultimate goal of the urban forestry program is to have a healthy, diverse tree population and these trees will not help the city or resident reach this goal. 

Overstory Deciduous Trees
Black Locust - Robinia pseudoacacia
Boxelder - Acer negundo - native to Minnesota
Silver Maple - Acer saccharinum - native to Minnesota
Willow - Salix species
All other Poplar Trees - see above lists for allowable poplars.

Understory Deciduous Trees
Canada Red Chokecherry - Prunus virginiana
Corckscrew willow - Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"
Russian Olive - Elaeagnus angustifolia

Overstory Coniferous Trees
Colorado Spruce - Picea pungens