Each page of the Database includes the common and scientific names using the Sunset Western Garden Book as reference. Since the Mid-Columbia region is generally very hot and dry during the summer months with occasional severe wind and dust storms, tolerance of these conditions plus ice storms, soil compaction, and street lighting are indicated. Many types of street lighting have been found to prolong photosynthesis in some trees and thus alter dormancy making them more susceptible to winter injury and death. If no information is available for a particular item, ‘NA’ is indicated.
Suitability for planting a given tree in a particular location is indicated by ‘suitable’ or ‘unsuitable’. Various attributes of each tree were considered such as: rooting habit, messiness, branch stability, water needs, and mature size to determine suitability. Pruning guidelines are also given for each species.