You can change the entire look of your yard by planting a new tree or two.
From fruit-bearing trees to those that flower in the spring or change to brilliant colors in the fall, the options are almost endless when it comes to deciding which trees are best to plant in your yard.
Of course, trees require an investment on your end. Not only do they take time to grow, but once their roots set in, they’ll be around for a while. For these reasons, it’s important to do your homework ahead of time to identify which trees are right for your yard.
To help get you familiar with your options, we’ve made a quick list of the best trees for some of the most popular criteria.
Fastest-Growing Tree: Weeping Willow Willows grow fast—and they make a truly dramatic statement. If you’ve ever seen one, you know that they’re big and take up a lot of space. If you plan on growing one, make sure you have an adequate plot of land to accommodate it. Once you get it in the ground, your willow will grow up to 10 feet a year. Willows often grow near water, but they can thrive almost anywhere.
Most Disease-Resistant Tree: Persian Parrotia Also called a Persian Ironwood, this is one of the hardiest trees out there. It adapts well to a number of different soil conditions, requires minimum care and rarely experiences problems related to insects or disease. It’s also pretty, with red flowers in the spring and dark red leaves in the fall.
Best Tree for Shade: American Red Maple One of the most abundant trees in North America, the Red Maple is known for its vibrant red leaves in autumn. Because it’s not picky about soil and can grow well in the shade, it requires a minimal amount of care on your end.
Best Medium-Sized Tree: Crabapple Growing up to 20 feet tall, the Crabapple is beautiful in any season. In the spring, delicate flowers bloom over the branches. It’s then thick with green leaves in the summer before bursting with color in the fall.
Best Small-Sized Tree: Japanese Maple Most Japanese Maple varieties grow no more than eight feet tall, but the impression they make is absolutely stunning. The leaves are intricately shaped and turn colors in the fall. The Japanese Maples’ small size makes them perfect for filling in spaces or adding highlights to an existing outdoor landscaping project.
Best Coniferous Tree: Weeping Alaskan Cedar It’s likely that of all the trees you plant, this one will get the most compliments. With branches that hang like moss off its branches, it’s one of the most unique and beautiful pines out there.
In the final post, learn the answer to what happens when a neighbor’s tree falls in your yard.