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November 13, 2025
Thinking of planting a new tree in your yard? Put down that shovel for a minute and check out the new Michigan Communities Tree Species Selection Guide.
“Think of this guide as a menu of tree species with information to help you make an informed decision when you want to plant,” said Lawrence Law, forester with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Urban and Community Forestry Program.
Law and various DNR collaborators coordinated the guide to help Michigan communities make decisions about planting public trees and to give homeowners info they can use to choose trees that are both right for their space and safe for the landscape.
The guide highlights tree species that work well in managed landscapes such as residential streets and neighborhoods, vibrant city and village downtowns, parks and urban green spaces, private yards and hospital, school and business campuses.
“In these types of spaces, trees can provide shade, make the street more beautiful, help manage stormwater and reduce noise,” Law said.
The guide offers tips on what to look for when purchasing trees, help in evaluating different species and cultivars, and help in deciding which trees work best in an urban environment.
“Choosing the right tree for the right place is one of the most important steps in any tree planting project,” Law said. “Careful planning and informed species selection are essential.”
In addition, the guide explains tree-naming conventions and rates trees on a scale of 1 to 10 based on their suitability and adaptability for urban environments.
The goal for many urban landscapes is to include a variety of trees so that a devastating insect or disease affecting a single species won’t leave streets bare.
“The good news for Michigan residents is that there are many really, really nice trees to choose from that should satisfy both environmental needs and desired lanscape aesthetics,” Law said.
Looking for a pretty, native tree with an upright oval shape? You might choose a Kentucky coffee tree. It’s adaptable, hardy, not prone to disease and will top out at about 60 feet.
Need something compact for a tight spot? You might consider a white fringetree, a native species with a round shape and fragrant white spring flowers that grows to a mature height of no more than 20 feet.
Want a tree that turns a gorgeous red in fall but don’t want to plant another maple? Take a look at black gum, also known as Black Tupelo, that has a unique whorled leaf arrangement and leaves that go from a glossy dark green to deep crimson red.
“Communities should put time and thought into tree selection just as they do with other city infrastructure. We hope this makes that process easier when most Michigan communities don’t have a designated city forester,” Law said.
Because many urban areas have utility cables buried underground, call 811 or go to the MISS DIG web site to have utilities marked. After your tree is in the ground, make sure to water it often and mulch properly (think doughnut, not volcano shapes).
For more tips and to pin your new trees on our tree-planting map (and help the DNR plant 50 million trees by 2030!) visit DNR’s MITrees page.
