American elm is the preemminent choice for such planting locations. Will it get tall and wide-spreading? Yes, of course, and that is desirable. for engineers, for whom the world exists as a platform upon which to pour concrete, elms, and pretty much all trees, are too big and in the way. Ignore such views!

+oM

I would plant an Princeton Elm, DED resistant and deep rooted, not broad and shallow. If the put back the sidewalk, looks like you have 3' of planting space. Should be fine in your lifetime and they will have to redo the sidewalk again later anyway. Check with your local Garden Centers to see if they carry them. If not, ask them to locate one for you. I have heard they are comeing out to the Garden Centers this fall and spring instead of HD?

i would not put a tree that exceeds 20 feet tall ...

that close to my house ...

in our area.. we have to pay for sidewalk repair ...

i do not believe that one should plant a problem.. for the next generation .... when it should be OK in your lifetime ...

how about a redbud .... or any of the other decorative smaller trees ...

cripes.. i will even recommend a nice tree trained JMaple.. over a 100 foot tree ... and you guys know how i feel about maples ...

ken

I'd bet your neighborhood was once planted in elms, salem. You can get small 'Princetons' online for fall shipping and planting.

I agree with ken. In some cases, smaller is better. If you are stuck on elm, there are even smaller growing cultivars.

The sidewalk finally went in last week and I've sent my choices to the town from the list they mailed to me. First choice is Locust Shademaster, second is Silver Linden, and third choice is a Zelkova. I did so much research that my head was spinning, and I probably made the wrong choice, but we'll see if the town approves any of them for the site.

Hi all
Hope you don't have the Dutch Elm Disease in your area, we have been losing our elms one by one...

Yves

salem, that locust is a nice tree. There was one across from my apartment in Chelsea and it was really lovely pretty much all year long. The other two would be good choices, too.