Preferred Tree Guide – Town of Cedar Lake

DRAFT — Preferred Tree Guide | Town of Cedar Lake Tree Board Skip to main content

DRAFT DOCUMENT — For Review and Discussion Only

This document has not been approved or adopted by the Cedar Lake Tree Board or the Town of Cedar Lake Plan Commission. It is circulated for internal review and discussion purposes only and is subject to change. Do not cite or distribute as official Town policy.

Introduction

Trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water, and harboring wildlife. They also add beauty and lasting value to property. However, no single tree is right for every location — and in Lake County, the wrong tree is often chosen, leaving property owners with problems rather than pleasure.

Tree planting is one of the best long-term investments a property owner can make. Not only will you benefit from the trees you plant today, but your children, grandchildren, and possibly their grandchildren will enjoy them as well.

This guide is intended to help Cedar Lake residents, contractors, and developers select appropriate trees for their specific site conditions, available space, and landscape objectives. Every species listed in this guide has been evaluated for suitability in Northwest Indiana and is considered non-invasive.

Understanding Site Conditions

Trees grow best on sites that meet their needs. Before selecting a tree, gather basic information about your planting site:

Soil texture — Most of Lake County is dominated by clay soils with small pore spaces. North of Ridge Road, sandy soils begin to appear. Know your soil type before selecting a species.
Moisture — Is the site wet, dry, or well-drained? Does water stand for more than 48 hours after a heavy rain?
Sunlight — Does the area receive full sun (6+ hours), partial sun (3–6 hours), or mostly shade?
Space — How much room is available for mature height and canopy spread? Consider both overhead and underground utilities before planting.
Intended use — Shade, screening, wildlife habitat, ornamental interest, or a combination?

Lake County falls within USDA Hardiness Zone 5a to 5b, based on average annual minimum temperatures. Cedar Lake’s location in the northernmost tier of Indiana means winters can be more severe than central or southern Indiana, with less moderating effect from the Gulf of Mexico and greater influence from Lake Michigan weather systems. All species in this guide are reliably hardy in Zone 5.

Planting Objectives

Most tree plantings serve more than one purpose. Think about your primary goal and then look for species that also meet secondary objectives.

Shade and Energy Savings

Plant large or medium deciduous trees on the west and southwest sides of buildings to reduce summer cooling costs.
Evergreens on the north and northwest sides can reduce winter heating costs by blocking prevailing winds.

Wildlife Habitat

Native oaks, serviceberries, and hackberries are among the most valuable wildlife trees — supporting hundreds of species of caterpillars, birds, and pollinators.
Choose species with berries, nuts, or seeds that provide food sources across multiple seasons.

Water Quality and Erosion Control

Plant long-lived trees in buffer zones near streams, lakes, and wetlands to trap sediment and absorb nutrients.
Swamp White Oak, River Birch, Bald Cypress, Sweetgum, and Shumard Oak are all excellent choices for Cedar Lake’s wetter lots.

Screening and Privacy

For year-round screening, Eastern Arborvitae and Eastern White Pine are native options with good wildlife value.
For seasonal privacy with wildlife value, Nannyberry and Blackhaw Viburnum are excellent along property lines.

How to Use This Guide

Trees are organized into three size categories based on mature height. Growth rates and size vary considerably based on soil, moisture, and sunlight conditions.

Category	Mature Height	Best Uses	Utility Line Caution
Small	Up to 25 feet	Near overhead utility lines, small lots, accent planting	Suitable for planting near or under overhead utility lines where mature height will not exceed 25 feet. Always verify local utility clearance minimums.
Medium	25 to 40 feet	Yard shade, screening, residential plantings	Do not plant within 10 lateral feet of overhead utility lines.
Large	40 feet and above	Parks, large yards, canopy restoration	Do not plant within 20 lateral feet of overhead utility lines.

The following legend explains codes used in the species tables:

Sun Code	Meaning	Best Use Code	Meaning
Full Sun	6 or more hours of direct sun per day	Yard / Large Lot	Needs generous space; best in open yards or parks
Part Sun	3–6 hours of direct sun per day	Small Lot	Compact enough for tighter residential lots
Part Shade	Filtered or dappled light; 3–6 hours indirect	Screening	Suitable for privacy screening along property lines
Full Shade	Fewer than 3 hours of direct sun	Near Water	Tolerates wet soils; good near ponds, ditches, swales
Growth Rate		Woodland Edge	Shade-tolerant; good under or near larger trees
Slow	Less than 12 inches per year	Accent / Specimen	Ornamental focal point; works in a variety of settings
Medium	12–24 inches per year	Wildlife	Exceptional value for birds, pollinators, or mammals
Fast	More than 24 inches per year

* Native Indiana species are shown in bold with an asterisk (*) in all species tables. Species marked with (*) are native to Indiana, though in some cases — such as Sweetgum and Bald Cypress — native range is limited to southern Indiana and does not extend to Lake County. These species perform well in NWI conditions and remain recommended; their notes reflect the distinction.

Call 811 before digging to locate underground utilities. This is required by Indiana law. Also verify local utility clearance minimums with your utility provider before selecting a planting location near overhead lines.

Small Trees — Up to 25 Feet

Small trees are an excellent choice in smaller yards and as accent or ornamental plantings. Small trees are the correct choice for utility corridors and tight lots — they are suitable for planting near or under overhead utility lines where their mature height will not exceed 25 feet. Always verify local utility clearance minimums with your utility provider before planting.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Mature Height	Mature Spread	Growth Rate	Sun	Best Use	Notes
Shadowblow Serviceberry*	Amelanchier canadensis	15–20 ft	10–15 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Small Lot / Wildlife	White spring flowers; red berries; brilliant fall color. Excellent for rain gardens and bird habitat.
Apple Serviceberry Hybrids	Amelanchier × grandiflora	15–25 ft	10–20 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Small Lot / Wildlife	Cultivars ‘Princess Diana’ and ‘Autumn Brilliance’ recommended. Multi-season interest; adaptable to NWI clay.
Allegheny Serviceberry*	Amelanchier laevis	15–25 ft	10–15 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Woodland Edge / Wildlife	Native woodland edge tree. White flowers, edible berries, excellent orange fall color.
Eastern Redbud*	Cercis canadensis	20–30 ft	25–35 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Small Lot / Accent	Magenta-pink spring blooms before leaves emerge. Tolerates NWI clay soils well. Very popular ornamental.
American Hornbeam*	Carpinus caroliniana	20–35 ft	20–30 ft	Slow	Part–Full Shade	Woodland Edge / Near Water	Slow-growing and very tough. Excellent fall color; muscular blue-gray bark. Tolerates wet soils.
Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn*	Crataegus crus-galli ‘Inermis’	20–30 ft	20–30 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Wildlife	Thornless cultivar only. White flowers; persistent red berries; brilliant fall color. Good wildlife value.
Washington Hawthorn*	Crataegus phaenopyrum	20–25 ft	20–25 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Screening / Wildlife	Dense branching. Attractive orange-red fall color; clusters of small red berries persist into winter.
Winter King Hawthorn*	Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’	20–35 ft	20–25 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Wildlife	Highly recommended for NWI. Persistent berries; attractive exfoliating bark. Four-season interest.
Pagoda Dogwood*	Cornus alternifolia	15–25 ft	20–32 ft	Medium	Part Shade	Woodland Edge / Wildlife	Distinctive horizontal branching. White flower clusters; blue-black fruit; good fall color.
Flowering Dogwood*	Cornus florida	15–25 ft	15–20 ft	Slow	Part Shade	Woodland Edge / Accent	Classic spring flowering tree. Plant on sheltered sites in NWI only. Brilliant red fall berries.
Kousa Dogwood	Cornus kousa	15–25 ft	15–20 ft	Slow	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Small Lot / Accent	Non-native, non-invasive; more disease-resistant than Flowering Dogwood. Showy white bracts; raspberry-like fruit.
Fringetree*	Chionanthus virginicus	15–20 ft	12–20 ft	Slow	Full–Part Sun	Accent / Wildlife	Outstanding native; fragrant, feathery white flower clusters in late spring. Dark blue fruit attracts birds. Recommended by INPS.
Paw Paw*	Asimina triloba	15–20 ft	7–12 ft	Slow	Part–Full Shade	Woodland Edge / Wildlife	Indiana’s largest native fruit tree. Edible banana-like fruit; interesting spring flowers. Best in a sheltered spot with some moisture in NWI.
Flowering Crabapple	Malus sp. (disease-resistant)	15–25 ft	15–20 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Small Lot / Accent	Disease-resistant cultivars only (e.g., ‘Prairie Fire’, ‘Royal Raindrops’). Avoid unimproved seedling types.
Paperbark Maple	Acer griseum	20–30 ft	15–25 ft	Slow	Full–Part Sun	Accent / Small Lot	Stunning cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark year-round. Excellent four-season ornamental specimen.
Japanese Tree Lilac	Syringa reticulata	20–30 ft	15–20 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Small Lot / Accent	Cultivar ‘Ivory Silk’ recommended. Late-season creamy white fragrant flower clusters. Tough urban performer.
Dwarf Chinquapin Oak*	Quercus prinoides	5–20 ft	5–20 ft	Slow	Full Sun	Yard / Wildlife	Shrubby oak for dry, rocky, or sandy soils north of Ridge Road. Excellent wildlife and pollinator value.
Nannyberry Viburnum*	Viburnum lentago	15–18 ft	6–12 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Screening / Wildlife	Fragrant white flowers; blue-black berries; reddish-purple fall color. Excellent for birds.
Blackhaw Viburnum*	Viburnum prunifolium	12–15 ft	6–12 ft	Slow	Full–Part Shade	Small Lot / Woodland Edge / Wildlife	White spring flowers; blue-black berries; excellent fall color. Very adaptable to NWI conditions.
Witchhazel*	Hamamelis virginiana	10–20 ft	10–15 ft	Slow	Full–Part Shade	Woodland Edge / Accent	One of the only trees to bloom in late fall to early winter. Spidery yellow flowers; excellent fall color. Tolerates wet or dry soils. Recommended by INPS.
Vernal Witchhazel*	Hamamelis vernalis	6–10 ft	6–10 ft	Slow	Full–Part Shade	Woodland Edge / Accent	Blooms in late winter to early spring. Fragrant yellow to red flowers. Excellent companion to Common Witchhazel for extended late-season interest.

Native Indiana species are shown in bold with an asterisk (*). Best Use codes are defined in the legend above. Small trees are suitable for planting near or under overhead utility lines. Always verify clearance minimums with your utility provider.

Medium Trees — 25 to 40 Feet

Medium trees provide excellent shade for residential yards. Confirm mature height against overhead utilities before planting. Do not plant medium trees within 10 lateral feet of overhead utility lines.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Mature Height	Mature Spread	Growth Rate	Sun	Best Use	Notes
Autumn Flame Red Maple*	Acer rubrum ‘Autumn Flame’	35–45 ft	25–35 ft	Fast	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Near Water	Consistent early red fall color. Tolerates a wide range of soils including wet NWI clay sites.
Hedge Maple	Acer campestre	25–35 ft	25–35 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Small Lot	Tough urban performer; tolerates clay, drought, and compaction. Clean yellow fall color.
River Birch*	Betula nigra	30–50 ft	25–35 ft	Fast	Full–Part Sun	Near Water / Yard	Exfoliating salmon-pink bark; excellent resistance to birch borer. Thrives in NWI wet soils.
American Hophornbeam*	Ostrya virginiana	25–40 ft	15–30 ft	Slow	Part–Full Shade	Yard / Woodland Edge	Highly recommended for NWI. Hop-like fruit clusters; attractive shaggy bark; very low-maintenance.
European Hornbeam	Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigata’	30–40 ft	15–20 ft	Slow	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Screening	Upright columnar habit. Tolerates pruning well; disease-free. Clean yellow fall color.
Yellowwood*	Cladrastis kentukea	30–50 ft	40–55 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Accent	Fragrant white flower clusters in late spring. Beautiful vase form; bright yellow fall color. Slower to establish in NWI but worth the wait.
Golden Raintree	Koelreuteria paniculata	30–40 ft	30–40 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Accent	Yellow summer flowers; papery seed pods. Source from northern nurseries only for NWI Zone 5 hardiness.
Sassafras*	Sassafras albidum	40–50 ft	25–40 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Wildlife	Outstanding multi-color fall foliage — yellow, orange, red, and purple on the same tree simultaneously. Can spread by root suckers; site away from lawn edges.
Scarlet Hawthorn*	Crataegus coccinea	20–35 ft	15–20 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Wildlife	Brilliant scarlet fall berries and foliage. Thorny branching provides good wildlife nesting cover.
Ohio Buckeye*	Aesculus glabra	20–40 ft	20–40 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Wildlife	Bold compound leaves; showy spring flower spikes; large buckeye nuts. Native and very adaptable.
Magnolia (select cultivars)	Magnolia species	25–40 ft	20–30 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Accent	Choose cold-hardy cultivars such as ‘Merrill’ or ‘Galaxy’. Spectacular spring bloom.
Lacebark Elm	Ulmus parvifolia	40–50 ft	35–40 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Non-native, non-invasive; excellent disease resistance; attractive mottled exfoliating bark. Different from problematic American and Siberian Elms.
Eastern Arborvitae*	Thuja occidentalis	30–40 ft	10–15 ft	Slow	Full–Part Sun	Screening / Wildlife	Native evergreen; outstanding bird cover and nesting habitat. Not recommended for street planting due to sight obstruction. Excellent for screening on residential lots. Recommended by INPS.

Native Indiana species are shown in bold with an asterisk (*). Do not plant medium trees within 10 lateral feet of overhead utility lines.

Large Trees — 40 Feet and Above

Large trees are the backbone of a healthy urban canopy. They provide the greatest cooling benefit, the most wildlife habitat, and the most carbon sequestration. Plant large trees wherever space allows.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Mature Height	Mature Spread	Growth Rate	Sun	Best Use	Notes
Red Maple*	Acer rubrum	40–70 ft	30–50 ft	Fast	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Near Water	Cultivars ‘Armstrong’, ‘October Glory’, ‘Red Sunset’, ‘Northwood’ recommended. Brilliant fall color; tolerates wet soils.
Black Maple*	Acer nigrum	60–75 ft	40–50 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Very similar to Sugar Maple; slightly more heat and drought tolerant. Outstanding fall color. Cultivar ‘Greencolumn’ for narrower sites.
Sugar Maple*	Acer saccharum	60–75 ft	40–50 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Classic Indiana shade tree. Spectacular fall color; needs well-drained soil. Do not plant too deep. Cultivars ‘Green Mountain’, ‘Legacy’, ‘Bonfire’ recommended.
Common Hackberry*	Celtis occidentalis	40–60 ft	40–60 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Wildlife	Extremely adaptable to NWI clay, drought, and wind. Warty bark; small purple berries; excellent wildlife value.
Hickories*	Carya spp. (Bitternut, Pignut, Mockernut)	60–80 ft	35–50 ft	Slow	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Wildlife	Native Indiana trees with exceptional wildlife value. Slow-growing; best planted young due to deep taproot. Very long-lived. Bitternut for wet soils; Pignut and Mockernut for well-drained sites.
Ginkgo	Ginkgo biloba	50–80 ft	30–40 ft	Slow	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Male clones only — female trees produce malodorous fruit. Fan-shaped leaves; brilliant yellow fall color. Very long-lived and extremely pest-resistant.
Thornless Honeylocust*	Gleditsia triacanthos inermis	40–70 ft	30–50 ft	Fast	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Thornless and podless cultivars only (‘Imperial’, ‘Shademaster’, ‘Skyline’, ‘Sunburst’). Fine-textured foliage; casts light shade; very adaptable to NWI conditions.
Kentucky Coffeetree*	Gymnocladus dioica	60–75 ft	40–50 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Wildlife	Underused NWI native. Bold winter silhouette; male clones or seedless cultivars preferred. Very drought-tolerant once established.
Sweetgum	Liquidambar styraciflua	60–75 ft	30–50 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Near Water	Stunning multi-colored fall foliage. Cultivar ‘Moraine’ preferred; all cultivars produce some spiny fruit. Native to southern Indiana river bottoms, not to Lake County, but performs well in NWI wet and clay sites.
Tulip Tree*	Liriodendron tulipifera	70–90 ft	35–50 ft	Fast	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Tallest native Indiana tree. Distinctive tulip-shaped flowers; large spreading crown. Needs adequate space; site away from streets and small lots.
Cucumbertree Magnolia*	Magnolia acuminata	60–80 ft	30–40 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Largest native magnolia. Yellow-green spring flowers; interesting cucumber-shaped fruit. Good lawn and park tree.
Blackgum / Tupelo*	Nyssa sylvatica	30–50 ft	20–35 ft	Slow	Full–Part Sun	Near Water / Wildlife	Outstanding deep red to scarlet fall color — often the first tree to turn. Tolerates wet soils; excellent wildlife value.
Eastern White Pine*	Pinus strobus	50–80 ft	35–45 ft	Fast	Full Sun	Yard / Screening / Wildlife	Native evergreen; soft blue-green needles. Fast-growing screening tree; excellent wildlife cover. For yard use only — not recommended near streets due to size and branch drop.
White Oak*	Quercus alba	50–80 ft	50–80 ft	Slow	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Wildlife	Majestic long-lived native. Critical habitat for caterpillars and wildlife. Rounded crown; wine-red fall color.
Swamp White Oak*	Quercus bicolor	50–60 ft	50–60 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Near Water / Yard / Wildlife	Excellent for wet or clay NWI sites. Exfoliating bark; good fall color. Highly recommended for Cedar Lake.
Scarlet Oak*	Quercus coccinea	50–75 ft	40–60 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Brilliant scarlet fall color, often the most vivid of the oaks. Good urban performer.
Shingle Oak*	Quercus imbricaria	40–60 ft	40–60 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Unusual unlobed oak leaves; retained brown leaves through winter add seasonal interest. Very tough; tolerates clay.
Bur Oak*	Quercus macrocarpa	60–80 ft	60–80 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Wildlife	Most drought and fire-resistant native oak. Distinctive fringed acorns. Needs generous space. Very long-lived; excellent anchor tree for large properties.
Chinquapin Oak*	Quercus muehlenbergii	40–60 ft	40–60 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Wildlife	Toothed leaves resemble chestnut. Excellent on dry, rocky, or alkaline soils. Strong wildlife value.
Northern Red Oak*	Quercus rubra	60–75 ft	45–60 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Wildlife	Fast-growing for an oak; reliable red fall color. Very adaptable; one of the best choices for NWI yards.
Shumard Oak*	Quercus shumardii	40–60 ft	35–50 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Near Water / Yard	Deep crimson fall color. Tolerates compacted, wet, or clay soils better than most oaks. Good NWI performer.
Bald Cypress	Taxodium distichum	50–70 ft	20–30 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Near Water / Yard	Deciduous conifer; feathery needles turn russet in fall. Thrives in wet soils; also tolerates dry conditions once established. Native to southern Indiana, not to Lake County, but highly recommended for Cedar Lake’s wetter lots.
American Linden / Basswood*	Tilia americana	60–80 ft	35–50 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Large Lot / Wildlife	Fragrant summer flowers beloved by pollinators. Cultivars ‘Boulevard’ and ‘Redmond’ recommended.
Littleleaf Linden	Tilia cordata	50–70 ft	30–40 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Excellent urban performer; fragrant flowers; neat pyramidal form. Cultivars ‘Glenleven’, ‘Greenspire’ recommended.
Disease-Resistant American Elm*	Ulmus × (hybrid)	60–80 ft	60–70 ft	Fast	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Disease-resistant cultivars only: ‘Homestead’, ‘Princeton’, ‘Morton’. Recaptures the classic elm form without Dutch elm disease risk.
Zelkova	Zelkova serrata ‘Green Vase’	50–80 ft	40–50 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Vase-shaped; elm-like but disease-free. Orange-red fall color. ‘Green Vase’ cultivar recommended.
Horse Chestnut	Aesculus hippocastanum	50–75 ft	40–60 ft	Medium	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Showy white flower candles in spring; large palmate leaves; spiny chestnut husks in fall. Excellent specimen tree for large properties.
Dawn Redwood	Metasequoia glyptostroboides	75–100 ft	25–35 ft	Fast	Full Sun	Yard / Large Lot	Deciduous conifer; not native but not invasive. Feathery soft needles turn russet in fall. Distinctive pyramidal form; becomes a very large tree at maturity. Hardy to Zone 4.
Katsura Tree	Cercidiphyllum japonicum	40–60 ft	25–40 ft	Medium	Full–Part Sun	Yard / Accent	Heart-shaped leaves smell of caramel in fall. Elegant form; reliable Zone 5 performer. Can reach 60 ft at maturity — allow adequate space.

Native Indiana species are shown in bold with an asterisk (*). Do not plant large trees within 20 lateral feet of overhead utility lines. Large trees should be sited at least 4–8 feet from sidewalks and curbs.

Trees to Avoid

The following trees are not recommended for planting in Cedar Lake. They have been identified as invasive, disease-prone, structurally weak, or otherwise problematic for Lake County conditions. Selecting the right tree from the start is far less costly than dealing with a problem tree or its eventual removal.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Why to Avoid
Silver Maple	Acer saccharinum	Invasive surface roots damage sidewalks, foundations, and utilities; weak, brittle wood breaks in storms. Fast growth is its only attribute.
Boxelder	Acer negundo	Weak wood; invasive seeding; host to boxelder bugs. Short-lived and generally a nuisance tree.
Norway Maple	Acer platanoides	Formerly popular landscape tree, now invasive in Indiana. Heavy seed production crowds out native understory plants.
Amur Maple	Acer ginnala	Now considered invasive in the Midwest due to prolific seeding. Formerly on recommended lists — no longer appropriate to plant.
Tree of Heaven	Ailanthus altissima	Highly invasive; spreads aggressively by seed and root sprouts. Releases chemicals that inhibit surrounding plants. Remove if found on your property.
White Paper Birch	Betula papyrifera	Bronze birch borer and root rot virtually guarantee tree death within 10 years in NWI. River Birch is the correct birch for this region.
American Beech	Fagus grandifolia	A magnificent native tree, but Beech Leaf Disease has been confirmed spreading through Lake County and is now devastating beech populations regionwide. Not recommended for new planting at this time pending further research into resistant cultivars.
Catalpa	Catalpa speciosa	Messy large seed pods; attracts catalpa sphinx caterpillar; relatively short-lived. Not recommended for residential planting in NWI.
Ash (all species)	Fraxinus spp.	Do NOT plant. All ash trees are at extreme risk from the Emerald Ash Borer, which has devastated ash throughout Lake County. Existing ash trees should be assessed and treated or removed.
Black Walnut	Juglans nigra	Produces juglone, a chemical toxic to many plants within 50–80 ft. Messy large fruit. Can be retained if already established but not recommended for new residential planting near gardens.
White / Common Mulberry	Morus alba	Invasive; prolific seeding; stains surfaces and clothing with messy fruit. Displaces native species.
Lombardy Poplar	Populus nigra ‘Italica’	Canker disease and insects virtually guarantee death within 15 years. Very short-lived; not worth planting.
Cottonwood	Populus deltoides	Weak, brittle wood; invasive roots near utilities and foundations; cottony seed clogs gutters and HVAC intakes.
Callery / Bradford Pear	Pyrus calleryana (all cultivars)	Classified as invasive under Indiana’s Terrestrial Invasive Plant Rule (312 IAC 18-3-26); its sale and distribution are now illegal in Indiana. Cross-pollination between cultivars produces viable seed that has spread widely. Do not plant Bradford, Cleveland Select, Chanticleer, or any other Callery Pear variety under any trade name.
Black Locust	Robinia pseudoacacia	Invasive root sprouts form thickets; highly susceptible to locust borer; prone to cankers. Spreads aggressively in disturbed soils.
Willow (all species)	Salix spp.	Invasive roots infiltrate sewer, water, and drain tile lines; weak wood fractures in storms. Keep away from any structures or utilities.
Siberian / Slippery / American Elm (unimproved)	Ulmus spp.	Susceptible to Dutch elm disease, elm leaf beetle, and other pests. Only disease-resistant hybrid cultivars (e.g., ‘Princeton’, ‘Morton’) are acceptable — see Large Trees list.
Mountain Ash	Sorbus spp.	Thin bark makes it highly susceptible to sunscald, fungal canker, and borers. Virtually guaranteed to fail in NWI within 5–15 years.
Royal Empress / Princess Tree	Paulownia tomentosa	Highly invasive; can produce up to 20 million seeds per year. Listed as a watch species in Indiana. Do not plant under any circumstances.
Pin Oak	Quercus palustris	Iron chlorosis is severe on NWI’s alkaline clay soils, often leading to tree death. Excellent species only where soil is known to be acidic.

Note: Several species on this list — Bradford Pear, Royal Empress, Norway Maple, Amur Maple — were once commonly sold at nurseries and may appear on older recommended lists. Callery Pear (all cultivars) is now classified as invasive under Indiana’s Terrestrial Invasive Plant Rule, making its sale and distribution illegal statewide.

General Planting Tips

Before You Plant

Call 811 to have all underground utilities located before digging. This is required by Indiana law.
Verify local utility clearance minimums with your utility provider before selecting a planting location near overhead lines.
Check the mature height and spread of your selected tree. Match the tree to the space — do not plan to keep it trimmed down to size.
Consider your soil conditions. Many NWI soils are heavy clay; choose species tolerant of clay or amend the planting area appropriately.

Planting Properly

Dig the planting hole 2 to 3 times the width of the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball height.
Set the tree so that the root flare (where the trunk meets the roots) is at or slightly above grade. Never bury the root flare.
Remove all wire baskets, burlap, and container materials before backfilling.
Backfill with unamended native soil whenever possible. Do not add fertilizer to the planting hole.
Water deeply immediately after planting and regularly throughout the first two growing seasons.
Apply 2–3 inches of mulch over the root zone, keeping mulch at least 3 inches away from the trunk. Do not create mulch volcanoes.

Selecting Quality Trees

Purchase trees from a reputable nursery. Inspect the tree for straight structure, healthy bark, and a well-developed root system.
Avoid cheap or partially dead trees — they rarely recover.
Avoid planting unknown seedlings that have volunteered in your yard. These are frequently invasive species such as Tree of Heaven, White Mulberry, or Black Locust.
Fast-growing trees are almost always weak-wooded. Prioritize species known for structural integrity and longevity over rapid growth rate.

Additional Resources

For additional tree selection and planting guidance, the following resources are recommended:

Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS) — includes the Grow Indiana Natives directory of INPS-certified native plant sources and garden designers.
Purdue Extension — Urban Forestry resources
Indiana Division of Forestry
USDA Plant Database — native plant identification
International Society of Arboriculture — find a certified arborist
Morton Arboretum — tree selection tool and plant information

The Cedar Lake Tree Board is available to assist residents and local organizations with tree-related questions and resources. Contact the Tree Board at: treeboard@cedarlakein.gov