Planning and Tree Selection

A well-chosen tree provides decades of shade, beauty, and environmental benefits while minimizing future maintenance and infrastructure conflicts. The best results come from matching each species to the conditions of the planting site. Consider mature size, growth rate, longevity, drought tolerance, soil conditions and rooting space, wind and sun exposure, salinity tolerance, and nearby infrastructure. Species diversity and climate resilience should also guide every planting decision to ensure a healthy, adaptable urban forest for generations to come.

Download guide to selecting the right tree for your project
Screenshot of a webpage titled 'Search by Characteristics' with search filters for tree characteristics, including sliders for maximum tree height and canopy width, checkboxes for schoolyard trees, whether the tree is native to California, and fall color, and dropdowns for tree shape, foliage type, leaf form, and leaf arrangement.

Choose the right tree for the right place

City Assessments:

City assessments allow California cities to view foundational data about their urban forest, such as trees per capita, canopy cover and species makeup. This data is essential for planning and carrying out urban forest improvement and obtaining them is usually cost prohibitive for many cities.

See our City Assessments

SelecTree Database:

Cal Poly SLO’s UFEI team has developed a searchable tree database with information on thousands of tree species grown in California.

Visit SelecTree

SelecTree Lists:

SelecTree also has expert recommendations of tree species that are the future for urban forestry in California due to their climate-adaptations and resilience.

  • Large trees for southern California’s future - Link

  • Small trees for southern California’s future - Link

  • Large trees for the California Bay Area future - Link

  • Quality trees you’ve never heard of - Link

  • Small eucalyptus for California - Link

  • Street trees for windy cities in California - Link

Check out these webpages for even more information

Digital illustration of green and gold plants growing in a nursery six pack.
Illustration of a tree with gold leaves in a pot, showing its roots underground, and surrounded by different types of pots.

Growing plants in a nursery

Buying a high quality tree

Planting a tree

Caring for a young tree

A tree trunk and branch attachment showing a white dashed cut line on the branch.

Pruning at a tree at all ages

A gold tree with concentric rings of drip irrigation tubing surrounding the trunk.
An section of planting a tree showing a woman loosening the soil around the tree with a shovel.