Tree List & Descriptions
Approved, Recommended & Not Approved Trees
APPROVED JAMESTOWN STREET TREE LIST
Street trees are those on the town's right-of-way, generally 10 feet back from the street curb, and on public land. They’re intended to provide shade and cover for paved surfaces, reducing run-off and reflected heat. Street trees also improve the curb appeal of a neighborhood and increase real estate values (as much as 20%).
Landowners need a permit from the Town's Tree Warden to plant, trim or remove trees on their property's right-of-way. The following list of street trees are for use in Jamestown. Selections were derived from past experience and various technical publications.
TALL TREES OVER 40' TALL
Mature street trees should provide a canopy of shade and have a mature height of 45 feet or more. Where road width permits, tree selection will be made from the following list of tall trees.
FOR USE ANYWHERE ON THE ISLAND (Native trees):
- Acer rubrum varieties -- Swamp Red Maple (tree has green leaves, the name refers to fall color)
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Liriodendron tulipifera -- Tulip Tree
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yssa sylvatica -- Black Tupelo
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Populus grandidentata -- Bigtooth Aspen
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Quercus acutissima -- Sawtooth Oak
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Quercus alba -- White Oak
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Quercus coccinea -- Scarlet Oak
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Quercus macrocarpa -- Bur Oak
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Quercus palustris -- Pin Oak
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Quercus rubra -- Red Oak
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Quercus velutina -- Black Oak
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Tilia americana -- American Linden
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Ulmus americanus -- American Elm (Dutch elm disease resistant clones only)
FOR USE ONLY IN THE VILLAGE OR JAMESTOWN SHORES (Non Native):
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Celtis occidentalis -- Hackberry
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Cercidiphyllum japonicum -- Katsura Tree
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Cladrastis (kentuckea) lutea -- Yellowwood
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Gymnocladus dioicus -- Kentucky Coffee Tree
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Gleditsia triacanthos inermis -- Honey Locust
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Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba' – Sweetgum (Use only this fruitless clone)
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Magnolia acuminata -- Cucumber Tree
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Magnolia loebneri 'Merrill' -- Merrill's Magnolia
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Platanus x acerifolia -- London Plane Tree
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Quercus imbricaria -- Shingle Oak
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Quercus phellos -- Willow Oak
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Styphnilobium (Sophora) japonica -- Scholar Tree
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Tilia cordata -- Little Leaf Linden
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Tilia tomentosa -- Silver Linden
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Ulmus parvifolia -- Lacebark Elm (Dutch elm disease resistant)
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Zelkova serrata -- Japanese Zelkova
FOR USE ONLY OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE OR JAMESTOWN SHORES (Native):
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Acer saccharum – Sugar Maple (surface roots can damage drives and sidewalks)
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Carya ovata – Shagbark Hickory
MEDIUM TREES 20' TO 40' TALL
For use only on narrow streets or where overhead wires pose a problem. Landowners should trim trees as per the Town's ordinances to permit parking and pedestrian traffic.
FOR USE ANYWHERE ON THE ISLAND:
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Carpinus caroliniana -- American Hornbeam
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Ostrya virginiana -- American Hophornbeam, also known as Ironwood
Magnolia virginiana – Sweetbay Magnolia
FOR USE ONLY IN THE VILLAGE OR JAMESTOWN SHORES:
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Acer bergerianum -- Trident Maple
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Acer campestre -- Hedge Maple
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Aesculus x carnea -- Red Horsechestnut
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Carpinus betulus -- European Hornbeam
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Corylus colurna -- Turkish Filbert
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Crataegus phaenopyrum -- Washington Hawthorn
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Eucommia ulmoides -- Hardy Rubber Tree (drought tolerant)
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Evodia daniellii -- Korean Evodia (fast grower)
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Maackia amurensis -- Amur Maackia
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Sorbus ainifolia -- Korean Mountain Ash
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE ON THE ISLAND
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Acer platanoides, Norway Maple – highly invasive non-native of federal concern. It out-competes native species in woodlands. It is now, illegal to sell this tree in Connecticut or Massachusetts.
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Acer pseudoplatanus, Sycamore Maple -- has demonstrated an invasive tendency, meaning it may escape from cultivation and naturalize in minimally managed areas.
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Acer ginnala, Amur Maple – another tree with invasive tendencies.
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Cornus florida, American Dogwood – this attractive tree is dying off in the area due to a fungus, Discula destructiva.
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Fraxinus ssp. Ash – alien Emerald Ash Borer is killing trees in the mid-west and is rapidly spreading to the east. It is expected to reach New England.
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Ginkgo biloba ,Ginkgo - Although popular, this tree is out of character in a traditional New England village.
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Koelreuteria paniculata, Goldenrain Tree – has demonstrated an invasive tendency.
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Phellodendron amurense, Amur Cork Tree – has demonstrated an invasive tendency.
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Quercus robur, English Oak – this species is in decline in Southern Rhode Island.