Why We Plant Younger Trees.

Good morning, Tree Lovers!

We’ve seen some questions and concerns circulating about our planting process and species selection, and we want to take a moment to respond. We’ve also noticed the phrase “Deforestation Without Representation” being shared. We genuinely welcome the conversation and want to hear from you about what you want Tulsa’s urban forest to look like as we continue planting trees across the city.

Mature Tree Removals:

In recent years, we’ve been working with the City of Tulsa to remove and replace Bradford Pear and Ash trees in public spaces to reduce safety risks. Bradford Pears are well known for splitting during Oklahoma windstorms, which can damage infrastructure and block streets and sidewalks.

Ash trees, on the other hand, are being killed across the country by an invasive pest called the Emerald Ash Borer. Unfortunately, there is currently no practical way to prevent its spread on a citywide scale. Since the pest has already been detected in Oklahoma, communities across the state are proactively replacing ash trees to reduce the large-scale canopy loss that happens when they begin to die.

Street Trees & Tree Wells:

Trees planted along city streets often grow in tree wells, which are one of the most challenging environments for trees. Despite that challenge, street trees provide tremendous benefits cooling our streets, creating shade for pedestrians and cyclists, reducing stress from traffic, and improving neighborhood beauty.

Because roots are restricted by the size of the well, these trees usually don’t live as long as trees planted in open spaces. That means replacing street trees is an ongoing process as older trees decline. For these locations, we select species that are most likely to tolerate these tough conditions. While they may not always be native, we prioritize trees that are non-invasive and resilient, because a healthy tree in a challenging location is better than an empty space.

That said, we want our streets to reflect the community that lives there. If there are species you’d love to see planted, please share them. We’re happy to work with local nurseries to explore availability and determine where those trees could be planted successfully.

Why We Plant Younger Trees:

We’ve also heard concerns about the size of the trees we plant and we love seeing how passionate Tulsa is about its canopy! The reason we plant smaller trees is because younger trees establish their roots much more successfully after transplanting. Larger trees can struggle to adapt to new soil conditions and often experience higher transplant stress.

There’s also a significant difference in cost and logistics. A 4-inch caliper tree can weigh up to 1,000 pounds, depending on the species, which requires large equipment and dramatically increases planting costs. Planting smaller trees allows us to plant more trees across the city, helping grow Tulsa’s canopy for the long term.

Community Feedback:

We want our plantings to reflect the communities where they happen. When projects are funded in a neighborhood, we reach out to local neighborhood associations, business groups, and community partners to gather input. However, we recognize that not every area has organized groups, and we may not always reach everyone which is why your feedback matters.

For example, in Kendall Whittier, businesses and neighbors shared that along the main streets they wanted shade for bicyclists and year-round color, while residents in nearby neighborhoods expressed interest in fruit-bearing trees. This project will include 150+ new trees in Kendall Whittier, and we want them to reflect the priorities of the people who live and work there.

We truly value this community’s passion for trees and the role they play in Tulsa’s future. Thank you for caring so deeply about Tulsa’s trees.