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The Tree Commission was established for the city, which consists of five residents of the city, appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council, for staggered terms of three years. Members of the Commission serve without compensation. In the event a vacancy occurs during the term of any member, a successor shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term. The Tree Commission shall provide leadership in the development and understanding of the objectives of the tree program and assist in the development and maintenance of technical specifications and guidelines. The Tree Commission shall produce and maintain a list of kinds and species of trees suitable and desirable for planting and the areas and conditions under which such trees should be planted. This list, to be known as the “Master Tree List” shall be adopted by resolution of the Council. The Tree Commission shall also review subdivisions plats and plans for new developments and recommend tree preservation and tree plantings therein. The Council may require the implementation of any recommendation by the Tree Commission.
Master Tree List
City of Clinton, Iowa
The following is a list of trees that are permitted to be planted in the City of Clinton parkways*. It also includes trees not to be planted because of their lack of resistance to common tree diseases and/or pests or susceptibility to wind/storm damage. This list may also be used by builders, homeowners, and business owners as a guide to appropriate trees to plant on their property in the Clinton, Iowa area. All trees being considered must meet the American Standards for Nursery Stock. A permit is required (there is no charge; obtain from City Hall) for any trees planted in parkways. Most trees listed can be viewed at The Bickelhaupt Arboretum, 340 S. 14th St., Clinton, and are shown on their map of plantings and marked as a City of Clinton tree.
* Parkway: City-owned property usually between the curb and the sidewalk (151.02, # 2 CHAPTER 151, City of Clinton)
For narrow parkways, 5 - 6’ wide: For medium parkways, 6 - 8’ wide; For wider parkways, 9’ or more; can use trees from narrow group: can use trees from narrow & me- dium parkways group:
Acer - Maple Carpinus - Hornbeam Tilia - Linden
Black Maple, 55’ tall by 25’ wide European Hornbeam, 35’ tall Littleleaf Linden, 50’ tall by 35’ wide
Norway Maple, 45’ tall by 20’ wide by 20' wide Greenspire Linden, 50’ tall by 35’ wide
Freeman Maple, 60’ tall by 20' wide Pyramidal American Linden, 50' tall
Red Maple 55' tall by 20' wide Crataegus - Hawthorn by 35' wide
Sugar Maple, 55’ tall by 20’ wide Washington Hawthorn, 25’ tall
by 15' wide
Thornless Hawthorn, 25’ tall
by 15' wide
Ulmus - Elm
Ginkgo - Ginkgo Malus – Crabapple Commendation Elm, 60’ tall by 50’
Ginkgo, 60’ tall by 25’ wide Any species of flowering crabapple Triumph Elm 55' tall by 50' wide trees shall conform to the following re- Accolade Elm, 70' tall by 45' wide
Quercus - Oak quirements: only persistent fruited or Discovery Elm, 45' tall by 40' wide
English Oak, 55' tall by 45' wide sterile cultivars of an upright ,oval, or Other new disease resistant cultivars
White Oak, 55' tall by 45' wide vase shape combined with good leaf are acceptable also.
Red Oak, 55' tall by 45' wide tolerance shall be acceptable. Spreading
Bur Oak, 55' tall by 45' wide types and disease prone cultivars are
not acceptable.
Gledistsia - Locust Syringa - Reticulata
Only thornless varieties: Pyrus - Flowering Pear Japanese Tree Lilac, 20’ tall by 15’ wide
Shade Master Locust, 60’ tall by 50’ wide Callery Pear, 35’ tall by 20’ wide Ivory Silk Tree Lilac, 25’ tall by 20’ wide
Skyline Locust, 65’ tall by 45’ wide Also, only thornless cultivars
selected for 90 degree branching
habit are acceptable. Cultivars
such as Bradford have narrow "V"
branching habits that develop weak
bonds making them vulnerable to
storm damage so are not acceptable.
The following tree species cannot be included in parkway tree planting in the City of Clinton:
All Ash varieties – due to the spread of emerald ash borer (EAB)
Boxelder Cottonwood White Poplar
Lombardy Poplar Tree of Heaven Willows
Black Locust Silver Maple Catalpa
Bolleana Poplar Russian Olive Weeping Birch
Mulberry Sycamore Siberian Elm
No evergreens or shrubs may be planted between the sidewalk and the curb of any street due to visual safety.
All trees must be pruned to prevent encroachment onto sidewalks or paving.
Trees that reach a mature height in excess of 25’ cannot be planted under utility wires.
