Judges in three separate investigations gave consistent ratings of attributes of eight street tree species in slide presentations. Responses from landscape students were similar to those from liberal arts students. Ratings of problems caused by roots were valid by external criteria, but were unrelated to other tree attributes and to overall suitability, suggesting a bias toward visual attractiveness in slide rating procedures. Freeze damage to one species was reflected in low ratings. Implications of these results for large-scale visual assessment of tree species are considered.