Here in Seattle we have SO MANY Norwegian maples, thanks especially to the historically large Norwegian population, and occasionally the similar problems--but our parking strips tend to be larger, so they have a bit more run. Our neighborhood is where a lot of old Scandi fishermen lived, so they never bothered to plant trees!
I also agree with Jen Coleslaw that locusts are lovely, with those leaflets and the acid green color. It's kind of exciting mixed with sad, in that you get the opportunity to bring a new tree into the neighborhood.
Before I moved to VA and took this job working on plastic pollution, I ran the non profit side of the City of Providence's street tree program, and It is always so sad when the big trees that provided so much shade (and problematic roots etc) come down, and are replaced with tiny trees like crabapples.
If you can't talk the arborist into a honey locust (which we put under wires all the time because their branches and leaves are so light and feathery they don't really interfere with the wires and they can be pruned judiciously as needed) then I guess I'd go with a redbud because they're pretty but honestly none of the small trees bring the same kind of value as a medium or large tree that has a branching habit that is not "contraindicated" with overhead wires. Same with Linden and Zelkova (which we used as an Elm dupe until the new elms started to come of age.) So I say try to talk your City Forester into the biggest tree, with the widest habit/canopy you can get away with because that's doing to help the neighborhood (and the planet!) the most.
And godspeed to your Norway Maple--it isn't their fault they are terrible trees--they tried!
Do you have any idea of the age of the tree? There are two Norway maples in from of my house, both at the sidewalk edge and with a concrete pathway alongside one of them and an asphalt driveway alongside the other. The house was built in 1948, so the trees could be 70+ years old. There is also a gingko and a honey locust, planted by the city on our corner lot as well. I frequently consider attempting to plant a tree or two in preparation for the loss of shade the Norways provide. Best wishes for a satisfactory replacement.
Very nice use of those logs as erosion control barriers! Effective, attractive… And free!
Native trees are nice, if they are well adapted to city life. Many are not.
What would you and your family like to see out there?
I'm not sure yet but I'll keep you posted on how it plays out!
I had a serviceberry tree in my front yard - Loved by the birds and not too tall.
I love serviceberry trees!
Here in Seattle we have SO MANY Norwegian maples, thanks especially to the historically large Norwegian population, and occasionally the similar problems--but our parking strips tend to be larger, so they have a bit more run. Our neighborhood is where a lot of old Scandi fishermen lived, so they never bothered to plant trees!
I also agree with Jen Coleslaw that locusts are lovely, with those leaflets and the acid green color. It's kind of exciting mixed with sad, in that you get the opportunity to bring a new tree into the neighborhood.
Before I moved to VA and took this job working on plastic pollution, I ran the non profit side of the City of Providence's street tree program, and It is always so sad when the big trees that provided so much shade (and problematic roots etc) come down, and are replaced with tiny trees like crabapples.
If you can't talk the arborist into a honey locust (which we put under wires all the time because their branches and leaves are so light and feathery they don't really interfere with the wires and they can be pruned judiciously as needed) then I guess I'd go with a redbud because they're pretty but honestly none of the small trees bring the same kind of value as a medium or large tree that has a branching habit that is not "contraindicated" with overhead wires. Same with Linden and Zelkova (which we used as an Elm dupe until the new elms started to come of age.) So I say try to talk your City Forester into the biggest tree, with the widest habit/canopy you can get away with because that's doing to help the neighborhood (and the planet!) the most.
And godspeed to your Norway Maple--it isn't their fault they are terrible trees--they tried!
Portland planted Japanese cedars in our hell strip. I don't know how they'd do where you live, but maybe that's an option?
Redbuds are beautiful, but quite small. Smoke trees are not my favorite. Good luck with your tree!
Redbuds are only pretty for a week or two in the spring when they bloom. The rest of the year they’re pretty meh.
Do you have any idea of the age of the tree? There are two Norway maples in from of my house, both at the sidewalk edge and with a concrete pathway alongside one of them and an asphalt driveway alongside the other. The house was built in 1948, so the trees could be 70+ years old. There is also a gingko and a honey locust, planted by the city on our corner lot as well. I frequently consider attempting to plant a tree or two in preparation for the loss of shade the Norways provide. Best wishes for a satisfactory replacement.
My guess would be that it's at least 50 years old. I'm curious when the city arborists will actually make it back here to take it down.