Plant Finder

User Guidelines

The Plant Finder is a multi-faceted tool to assist designers, contractors, maintenance personnel, community groups and the general public in selecting plants that perform well within the public right-of-way. It expands on the lists included in previous versions of the Manual and should be used in conjunction with the guidance provided in the Landscape Chapter.

The Plant Finder database is not comprehensive and there is no guarantee that these plants will survive at a specific site. All plants within the public right-of-way must be selected based on site-specific conditions and approved by the appropriate agency or agencies with jurisdiction. Download the Plant Finder User Guide for instructions on how to use the tool.

The information in this database was generated by DOT, Parks, other agency staff, and local horticulture professionals based on their first-hand knowledge as well as from existing resources. Download the Plant Finder References page for a full list of sources.

Plant Basics

Characteristics

Tolerances

Ruby Slippers Amur Maple

Collections:

Common:

Ruby Slippers Amur Maple

Scientific:

Acer ginnala

'Ruby Slippers'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

15-20 ft

Spread:

15-20 ft

Shape:

Rounded Upright

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Pale yellow flowers emerge in clusters in early spring. Fragrant

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Abundant showy, scarlet samaras in early summer that persist into the fall/winter

Foliage:

Dark green foliage. Opposite, three-lobed with a prominent central lobe, 1.5"-3" long leaves

Fall:

Foliage turns an intense red-orange in the fall

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Fall Color

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam

Moisture:

Med

Other:

ALB Host, Has Invasive Tendencies

'Ruby Slippers' features particularly abundant showy scarlet samaras in early summer compared to the species and other cultivars. 

Sometimes referred to as Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala.

This species is recognized by professionals and institutions in the tri-state area, and/or nationwide, as potentially damaging to our natural systems. Caution must be exercised when planting these near a Forever Wild or other natural area.

An Acer ginnala ('Flame' cultivar) tree with green and brown leaves, on a sidewalk.

Collections:

Common:

Flame Amur Maple

Scientific:

Acer ginnala

'Flame'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

15-20 ft

Spread:

15-20 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Fragrant

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Showy red samaras in early summer that persist into fall/winter

Foliage:

More lustrous, distinctively three-lobed with long central lobe, and better red in the fall when compared to species

Fall:

Impressive fall color. Typically a brilliant red with some occasional natural variation

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

3a - 8a

Other:

ALB Host, Has Invasive Tendencies

'Flame' turns a brilliant, fiery red in autumn. 

Sometimes referred to as Acer tataricum ssp. ginnala.

This species is recognized by professionals and institutions in the tri-state area, and/or nationwide, as potentially damaging to our natural systems. Caution must be exercised when planting these near a Forever Wild or other natural area.

An Acer griseum with green leaves and red bark, centered on a sidewalk.

Collections:

Common:

Paperbark Maple

Scientific:

Acer griseum

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

20-30 ft

Spread:

15-25 ft

Shape:

Oval Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Apr

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Samara

Foliage:

Green trifoliate leaves 3"-5". Almost frosty/white on underside

Fall:

Can be red, but is frequently green with red overtones on exposed surfaces

Bark:

Ornamental cinnamon or red-brown exfoliating bark

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Winter

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

4a - 8a

Other:

ALB Host

Specimen plant known for its beautiful cinnamon colored bark in the winter.

Special care should be taken when specifying this plant as it does not tolerate urban stress.

A young Acer rubrum ('October Glory') tree on a street median with green leaves.

Common:

October Glory® Red Maple

Scientific:

Acer rubrum

'October Glory'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

40-50 ft

Spread:

30-40 ft

Shape:

Oval Rounded Spreading

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant yet attractive red flowers appear in early spring prior to foliage

Blooming period:

Mar

Fruit:

Emerges as red, two-winged samara

Foliage:

Dark red foliage in early spring turning to green in summer and bright red in the fall. 2"-5" long, 3 principal triangular lobes, toothed margins, pointed tips

Fall:

Fall color typically starts orange and turns bright red; leaves persist longer than other cultivars

Special Qualities:

Distinctive Foliage, Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

4a - 9a

Other:

Native, ALB Host

‘October Glory’ is a female cultivar that is known for its exceptional fall color that transitions from orange to red. 

It's a wonderful tree for difficult places and is a common street tree in NYC.

Red Maple

Collections:

Common:

Red Sunset® Red Maple

Scientific:

Acer rubrum

'Franksred'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

45-50 ft

Spread:

35-40 ft

Shape:

Rounded Pyramidal

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Typically emerge red prior to leaves in late winter/early spring

Blooming period:

Mar - Apr

Fruit:

Emerges as red, two-winged samara

Foliage:

2"-5" long, 3 principal triangular lobes, toothed margins, pointed tips

Fall:

Outstanding orange to red fall color

Bark:

Young bark is smooth with a light, ash-gray or silver color; older is scaly gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Fall Color, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Requires Acid (5.0-7.0)

Soil:

Loam

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

3a - 9a

Other:

Native, ALB Host

'Franksred' is known for it's superior red fall color early in the season.

Generally tolerant of air pollution.

An Acer rubrum tree planted along the sidewalk, with lush green leaves and greyish bark.

Collections:

Common:

Red Maple

Scientific:

Acer rubrum

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

40-70 ft

Spread:

30-50 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant. Typically emerge red prior to leaves in late winter/early spring

Blooming period:

Mar - Apr

Fruit:

Emerges as red, two-winged samara

Foliage:

Green 2"-5" long leaves with 3 principal triangular lobes, toothed margins, and pointed tips

Fall:

Can be very striking, many cultivars selected for red fall foliage. Typically orange-red

Bark:

Young bark is smooth with a light, ash-gray or silver color; older is scaly gray-brown

Special Qualities:

Fall Color, Distinctive Bark

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Neutral (5.0-7.4)

Soil:

Loam

Moisture:

Med to Wet

Hardiness:

3a - 9a

Other:

Native, ALB Host
Sugar Maple

Common:

Sugar Maple

Scientific:

Acer saccharum

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

40-80 ft

Spread:

30-60 ft

Shape:

Oval Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Apr

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Two-winged samara

Foliage:

Medium green leaves that are 3"-6" wide with 3-5 lobes

Fall:

Yellow-orange with occasional color variation. Typically has great fall color

Bark:

Smooth gray-brown in youth. Develops thick, irregular, recurved plates with age

Special Qualities:

Fall Color, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Medium

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

None

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Loam

Moisture:

Med

Hardiness:

3a - 8a

Other:

Native, ALB Host

Ideal specimen tree for lawns or parks. Can be used as a street tree as long as it is located in an area where road salt, soil compaction and pollution will not be a problem.

Tatarian Maple

Collections:

Common:

Tatarian Maple

Scientific:

Acer tataricum

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

15-20 ft

Spread:

15-20 ft

Shape:

Rounded Upright

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Winged samaras that turn a showy red in summer and early fall as they mature

Foliage:

Medium green leaves, up to 4" long, are typically unlobed and broadly-ovate with irregular doubly serrate margins on mature trees. Often 3-lobed on young trees

Fall:

Leaves typically turn yellow and red in the fall

Special Qualities:

Showy Fruit, Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Medium

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

3a - 8a

Other:

ALB Host, Has Invasive Tendencies

This species is recognized by professionals and institutions in the tri-state area, and/or nationwide, as potentially damaging to our natural systems. Caution must be exercised when planting these near a Forever Wild or other natural area.

Shantung Maple

Collections:

Common:

Shantung Maple

Scientific:

Acer truncatum

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

20-25 ft

Spread:

15-20 ft

Shape:

Rounded

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Apr

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Samara

Foliage:

Leaves emerge purple but mature to dark green. Glossy, 5-7 triangular lobes and up to 5" across

Fall:

Attractive fall color featuring shades of yellow and orange. May sometimes be red or purple

Bark:

Gray-brown, ridged and furrowed on older branches and trunk; younger bark can have purple cast

Special Qualities:

Fall Color, Distinctive Bark

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

4a - 8a

Other:

ALB Host

Heat and drought tolerant. May be appropriate for use under power lines due to small size. Generally a good urban plant.

A mature Acer truncatum x platanoides ('Keithsform' cultivar) tree with green foliage, positioned amongst cars and buildings.

Collections:

Common:

Norwegian Sunset® Shantung Maple

Scientific:

Acer truncatum x platanoides

'Keithsform'

Plant type:

Trees

Height:

35-35 ft

Spread:

25-25 ft

Shape:

Oval Upright

Bloom:

Ornamentally insignificant

Blooming period:

Apr - May

Fruit:

Ornamentally insignificant. Samara

Foliage:

Glossy dark green foliage. Leaves are simple, palmate in appearance, with 5-7 lobes pointed outward

Fall:

Attractive fall color ranging from yellow-orange to bright red

Bark:

Grey-black bark becoming lightly ridged and furrowed with age

Special Qualities:

Fall Color

Level of Maintenance:

Low

Season of Interest:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Light:

Full Sun to Part Shade

Salt:

Low

pH:

Acid to Alkaline (5.0-8.0)

Soil:

Sand, Loam, Clay

Moisture:

Dry to Med

Hardiness:

4b - 7b

Other:

ALB Host

A hybrid maple, 'Keithsform' is known for its nice branching structure and uniform canopy. Heat and drought tolerant. Generally a good urban plant.

 

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