St. Louis Tree Calculator

Find Recommended Species

Bolded fields marked with * are required. Everything else is optional and refines your results.

Site Location

Where is this tree going?*

Infrastructure & Constraints

Proximity to Nearest Building*

Underground Utilities iWhether buried gas, water, sewer, or electric lines run beneath the site-deep-rooted species can damage them. Before planting, call Missouri One Call (dial 811 or visit mo1call.com) to have lines marked for free.

Overhead Power Lines iWhether utility lines cross above the planting site-tall-maturing trees planted underneath require repeated topping/pruning by the utility. Check clearance guidance from your electric provider (e.g. Ameren Missouri's "right tree, right place" program at ameren.com) before choosing a mature height.

Wind Exposure iHow exposed the site is to sustained/prevailing wind-open lots, rooftops, and river-bluff edges are high-exposure; courtyards and tree-lined streets are sheltered. Higher exposure favors wind-firm species with strong branch attachment.

Environmental Conditions

Sun Exposure* iAverage hours of direct sunlight the site receives daily during the growing season. Observe the site at different times of day, or estimate from nearby building/tree shadows and orientation (south-facing = more sun).

Soil Drainage* iHow quickly water moves through the soil. Test it yourself: dig a 12"-deep hole, fill with water, let it drain, refill, and time the second drain-under 4 hrs is well-drained, 4–8 hrs is moderate, over 8 hrs is poor/wet. See MU Extension's guide at extension.missouri.edu.

Soil pH iAcidic (below 6.5), neutral (6.5-7.5), or alkaline (above 7.5) soil. Many species tolerate a range, but some struggle badly outside it (e.g. Pin Oak/Sweet Gum yellow and decline in alkaline soil). Look up your site for free on the USDA's Web Soil Survey, or get an exact reading from a home test kit or the MU Extension soil testing lab at extension.missouri.edu/programs/soil-testing.

Annual Rainfall Available iTypical yearly precipitation the site receives naturally (before irrigation). St. Louis averages ~40 in/yr, but microsites vary-check 30-year climate normals from the National Weather Service St. Louis office at weather.gov/lsx.

Water Budget (irrigation access) iHow much supplemental watering you can realistically provide during establishment (the first 2–3 years)-hose access, irrigation systems, or volunteer watering crews. Distinct from Annual Rainfall, which is what the site gets naturally.

Community & Social

Maintenance Capacity* iOngoing care realistically available after planting-pruning, pest/disease monitoring, mulching, watering. High = staff/volunteers on a schedule; Low = planted and largely left alone.

Community Access Type iWhat type of public or community space will the tree serve? This helps recommend species with high community engagement and accessibility value.

Neighborhood Sentiment Towards Trees (1-10) iSubjective but crucial: how supportive nearby residents are of tree planting/construction on-site, since low support raises vandalism and neglect risk. Survey the block directly rather than guessing-see the USDA Forest Service's community engagement guidance at fs.usda.gov/managing-land/urban-forests or the Arbor Day Foundation's community forestry resources at arborday.org for how to run a proper door-to-door or written survey.

Priorities (Optional)

MINIMIZE ALLERGY & LITTER CONCERNS? iSome species drop heavy fruit, pods, or nuts, or produce a lot of pollen-more upkeep and a bigger allergy trigger on sidewalks, driveways, and lawns. Checking this favors lower-litter, lower-pollen species.

Yes

Aesthetic Preference

Wildlife Benefit Priority iHow much you want this tree to support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife (nectar, fruit/seed, nesting habitat) versus prioritizing other traits. Native species generally provide the highest wildlife value in St. Louis.

SHOW ONLY NATIVE ST. LOUIS SPECIES? iNative species are adapted to St. Louis climate and soil. They support local wildlife and require less maintenance than non-native species.

Yes

Primary Goal

Mature Height

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