Black tupelo trees lining the sidewalk across Cooper's Park in Vancouver. (Wendy Cutler, 2013)

Black Tupelo trees are good street trees to have. The tree provides nice shade because of its canopy, but branches do need to be cleared out to get clearance for streets. A common problem with other types of trees planted alongside roads and sidewalks is roots growing through infrastructure. However, Black Tupelos, if planted properly, have deep taproots that don’t push through sidewalks and lawns.

The tree does well in environments of compacted soils in urban areas, which makes worrying about its condition a little less severe.

The trunks grow straight which is appropriate for lining roads.

A great reason this is a good street tree is the fact that it’s fall foliage is radiant and attractive. If a street were lined with tupelos, the image of looking down the street in the fall would be invaluable. Such creates a relationship with the people who either live or work on the street as well as pedestrians who take the route.