Trees lining the street - Ask Extension
In our neighborhood we have Norway Maples that line the street we would like to replace these with trees that have red color in the spring and summer ...
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Trees lining the street #875459
Asked July 01, 2024, 10:17 AM EDT
In our neighborhood we have Norway Maples that line the street we would like to replace these with trees that have red color in the spring and summer just like the Norway Maples. Would Purple Leaf Plum be a good alternative to Norway Maple and blend in as the Norway Maples are slowly replaced?
Lucas County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Ann and Howard,
It's wonderful that your neighborhood is moving away from the invasive Norway maple trees. Since you mentioned the red/purple foliage of the existing trees, I am guessing you may have a variety called "Crimson King" planted along the street. Your question indicates that you would like to continue with trees with red/purple foliage as you transition away from the Norway maples, so I will limit my suggestions here to those.
The purple leaf plum (Prunis cerasifera) would not be my recommendation for a street tree. These trees are susceptible to insects and fungal diseases and have poor structure, so they are relatively short-lived (15 - 20 years). Either they split apart, fall over, or are killed by disease. You can learn more about the problems with purple leaf plums here: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-cerasifera/ and here: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/treeselect/purpleleafplum.cfm.
There are some much better options to consider, including redbud varieties with purple leaves, such as "Forest Pansy" (Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'). Redbuds are native to Ohio, and this is a cultivar with purple foliage that also has spring flowers appreciated by pollinators, and seed pods in the fall that feed squirrels and other wildlife. A Perfect Purple crabapple (Malus 'Perfect Purple') tree might work as well, and that variety is more salt-tolerant than most, so that would help with being next to the road. Here are some resources with further ideas:
https://northeasthorticultural.com/why-not-to-plant-a-purple-leaf-plum/
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/article/2018/04/passion-purple-foliage-plants
Since you are planning a transition for your street trees anyway, this is the perfect time to consider how to select the best trees that will be able to cope with ongoing climate change. Lucas County was in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b in 1990, in Zone 6a in 2012, and in 2023 was moved to Zone 6b - the increasing numbers indicate the area is, on average, becoming warmer (see the maps at https://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-ohio-usda-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php). But, given your proximity to Lake Erie, you may experience colder winters and lake-effect snow falls. I would recommend that any tree choice you make should be a plant that is hardy in at least Zones 6 - 8, and 5 - 8 would be even better. Also, trees that are cultivars of Ohio natives will probably handle climate challenges better than non-natives, although all plants will be stressed by rapid change.
I hope this information is helpful. Please don't hesitate to contact us again with further questions.
Best,
It's wonderful that your neighborhood is moving away from the invasive Norway maple trees. Since you mentioned the red/purple foliage of the existing trees, I am guessing you may have a variety called "Crimson King" planted along the street. Your question indicates that you would like to continue with trees with red/purple foliage as you transition away from the Norway maples, so I will limit my suggestions here to those.
The purple leaf plum (Prunis cerasifera) would not be my recommendation for a street tree. These trees are susceptible to insects and fungal diseases and have poor structure, so they are relatively short-lived (15 - 20 years). Either they split apart, fall over, or are killed by disease. You can learn more about the problems with purple leaf plums here: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-cerasifera/ and here: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/treeselect/purpleleafplum.cfm.
There are some much better options to consider, including redbud varieties with purple leaves, such as "Forest Pansy" (Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy'). Redbuds are native to Ohio, and this is a cultivar with purple foliage that also has spring flowers appreciated by pollinators, and seed pods in the fall that feed squirrels and other wildlife. A Perfect Purple crabapple (Malus 'Perfect Purple') tree might work as well, and that variety is more salt-tolerant than most, so that would help with being next to the road. Here are some resources with further ideas:
https://northeasthorticultural.com/why-not-to-plant-a-purple-leaf-plum/
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/article/2018/04/passion-purple-foliage-plants
Since you are planning a transition for your street trees anyway, this is the perfect time to consider how to select the best trees that will be able to cope with ongoing climate change. Lucas County was in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b in 1990, in Zone 6a in 2012, and in 2023 was moved to Zone 6b - the increasing numbers indicate the area is, on average, becoming warmer (see the maps at https://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-ohio-usda-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php). But, given your proximity to Lake Erie, you may experience colder winters and lake-effect snow falls. I would recommend that any tree choice you make should be a plant that is hardy in at least Zones 6 - 8, and 5 - 8 would be even better. Also, trees that are cultivars of Ohio natives will probably handle climate challenges better than non-natives, although all plants will be stressed by rapid change.
I hope this information is helpful. Please don't hesitate to contact us again with further questions.
Best,
