PURPOSE

The intent of the Stillwater Tree Board in creating this Stillwater Guide to Recommended Trees is two-fold. First, it's to provide a list of tree species recommended for Stillwater planting. If a species isn't listed, it's for a reason. One reason may be that it doesn't grow well in this area, such as White Pine. Other reasons may include susceptibility to disease, dangerously weak branching habits, and species over-concentration problems. A community forest made up of many diverse species is healthier than and preferable to a community forest in which most of the trees consist of just a few species. Stillwater is over-concentrated in American Elm, Siberian Elm, Pecan, Silver Maple, Pin Oaks, and 'Bradford' Pear. Any disease that affects such species can rapidly move from one tree to another because there are so many of them. That is one factor which enabled Dutch Elm disease to kill so many American Elms across the country.

The second intent of creating this Guide is to provide you with an example tree of each recommended species. By going to and looking at the example tree, you can get an idea of what it looks like and whether it would be appropriate for your planting site. If the tree is on private property, please don't trespass. Examples were selected that either can be viewed easily from the street, or else are on public property. We tried to select mature specimens because you need to know how much space to provide. There are four species for which no example has been located yet.

Actual results of planting a particular species depend upon many factors about your particular yard, including: soil type and water content, prevailing wind direction, sheltering, root competition with other plants, obstructions such as concrete driveways and sidewalks that interfere with roots, proximity of sewer systems that may be damaged by roots, sunlight competition, and the degree of care and pruning done. You may have great success with a species not on this list, but you should first consult a knowledgeable professional source (reputable arborist, horticulturalist, nursery) for advice. There is no guarantee that the species on this list will do well on your particular site; there are just too many variables. So please understand this is a general guide. The Tree Board has put much time and effort into its creation.

Map Key: This number corresponds to a numbered marker on the special Stillwater Street Map (insert to this Guide) to help you find each tree. You don't have to have the map to find the tree, but it might help you find the streets.

Common Name vs. Scientific Name: Common names vary widely in their usage and aren't reliable for many trees. For example, Osage Orange is also called Hedge Apple, Bois d'arc and Ironwood. But other species are also sometimes referred to as Ironwood. The only way to be absolutely sure you are buying the tree you want is to verify the scientific name.

Gen (General Location): NE, N, S etc. are given as general directions from the center of town at 6th and Main. OSU = on Oklahoma State University campus.

Specific Directions: This is sufficient to enable you to find the tree, even if you don't have the Stillwater Street Map with the numbered markers. The directions go from general to more specific, and you should follow the directions carefully. For example, "McElroy Rd & Skyline Ln, SW corner, 3rd house S, SE corner, 50' E" means go to the intersection of McElroy Road and Skyline Lane. Then go to the southwest corner of that intersection. Then go to the 3rd house from that corner going south. From the southeast corner of the house, look about 50 feet to the east. You should see the tree! If a building is part of the directions, such as in this example, subsequent directions after the building is mentioned are always given from the actual building itself, not from the lot the building is on unless the lot is mentioned specifically. If more than one tree is listed for a given species, the first is generally a tree in a residential setting. Residential trees were specifically selected to be easily viewed from your car. The second tree is generally on public land so you may go up and inspect it closely. Many of these can't be seen easily from a vehicle, so you may be walking a short distance.

Ht (Height in feet): This can help you find the tree, especially among other trees of very different heights. This should be regarded as minimum estimated height in 1995. The tree may have grown considerably since then.

Notes: Be sure to read these. Some species have varieties and cultivars (different forms developed by botanists). In some cases, only the cultivars listed in the Note can be expected to grow successfully here. We recommend you not buy non-listed cultivars without first consulting a knowledgeable professional. Doing so may save you money and considerable trouble. Other useful information is given.

NOTES

A: Seeds may be poisonous if eaten in quantity.
B: Also located in the OSU Centennial Grove which is the large planted area in the SE corner of Hall of Fame and Western Road. A printed guide map to the large number of different species is available upon request to OSU Horticulture-Landscape Architecture Dept at 744-5414. Most of the trees have labels on the ground near the trunk.
C: Fruits may be poisonous.
D: Requires a lot of space for its aggressive root system which may damage sewer systems. Males (called "Cottonless Cottonwood") are preferred to avoid the cottony seeds which can clog air conditioners.
E: Males are preferred to avoid fruits with disagreeable odor.
F: Also located in the OSU Horticulture Teaching Arboretum. This isn't a building, but is a large area. You may have to ask staff for assistance. The entrance is 1/4 mile E of Virginia Ave and Sangre Rd. Drive S through the gate on road until it turns E to parking area on W side of the largest tan storage barn (120' NE of the silver water tower). This barn has a labelled tree and shrub garden on the N side. To reach the Oklahoma Gardening studio, continue E (between the water tower and the barn), and turn S on road to sign at circle drive.
G: Thornless and fruitless cultivars are preferred to avoid large dangerous thorns and large seed pods. 'Skyline' and 'Shademaster' are recommended.
H: Males are preferred to avoid large seed pods. These trees are females.
I: Leaves and fruits may be mildly poisonous.
J: Strickland Park is located 1 block S of the corner of Main St & Hall of Fame Ave, on E side.
K: 'Caddo' is the only variety known to grow well here.
L: Cultivar 'Fruitless' is preferred to avoid the messy fruits, though the fruits are food for birds.
M: Thornless males are preferred to avoid sharp thorns and extremely large falling fruits. The fruits are food for wildlife.
N: Leaves and seeds may be mildly poisonous.
O: Recommended cultivar is 'Aristocrat'. 'Bradford' is already over-planted.
P: Pinewood nematode disease is killing many at this time. There is no way to prevent infestation, and no way to save the tree once infested. Although these three species are most susceptible, other pine species may be affected also.
Q: Susceptible to anthracnose. For this reason, London Planetree should be used instead. Sycamore is listed because London Planetree hasn't been widely used yet and the appearance is nearly identical.
R: Hybrid between Sycamore and European sycamore (Platanus orientalis). Is more resistant to the anthracnose which damages Sycamore. Has two fruit balls per stalk whereas Sycamore has only one.
S: Roots actively seek water and may damage sewer systems. Cultivar 'Bolleana' is recommended.
T: Root system has damaged driveway because planted much too close.
U: Native form with red flowers.
V: Cultivar 'Alba' with white flowers.
W: Susceptible to bagworms and cedar apple rust. This first tree is the 'Canaerti' cultivar which is recommended.

Check out our suggested tree guide chart.