How to Choose the Best Trees for Landscaping?

A good landscape does not come without trees. They complete their surroundings and tie every piece of furniture, element, and greeneries together to yield a breathtaking area you and your family can enjoy. Visual appeal aside, a landscape with strong, beautiful, and well-maintained trees can boost a home’s market value by tenfold.

Trees have health benefits too, shielding you from the sun’s harmful UV rays and improving the quality of the air you breathe in. With all these that trees have to offer, it goes without saying that your landscape will not be complete without them.

But here’s the tricky part — trees come in many different types, structures, sizes, and survival conditions. To make the most out of your investment and ensure that you maximize their benefits for you and your yard, you need to pick the right trees to complete your landscape design project.  

Questions to Ask to Choose the Best Trees

Your first order of business when choosing trees for your landscape is to consider your priorities. This will help you narrow down your selection and choose only the types of trees that meet your needs and preferences. 

Ask yourself what your purpose is for adding a tree to your landscape. Is it to give shade or increase your privacy? Is your goal to add visual appeal and boost your market value? Your answers to these questions will help you figure out what type of tree can provide your needs. 

Things to Consider When Picking Trees for Your Landscape

Being selective about the type of trees you choose for your landscape can be the difference between a beautiful yard that adds value to your property and a headache-inducing situation with your trees dropping sticks and fruit all over your freshly mowed grass. 

All trees have their own fair share of assets that make them suitable for your landscape. But these don’t come without liabilities. It’s important to take your time when selecting trees and keep an eye out for these characteristics: 

Survival

Find out the conditions the tree needs to survive. While there are general rules for plant and tree care, some species of trees will have their own set of unique requirements. Some things to consider include: 

• Zone rating: Gives you the hardiness level of the tree variety.
• Soil type: Your options may be limited depending on the type of soil you have, whether rich, woodsy, acidic, moist, etc. 
• Climate: Some trees only thrive well in tropical weather while others can withstand different temperature conditions. 

Size and Growth Rate

Some varieties of trees can take years before they fully mature, so the growth rate of different species may influence your decision. When considering growth rate, take a look at it side by side with your priorities. 

If your tree will be serving the purpose of providing shade, you should select a fast-growing species. However, the trade-off here is that fast-growing trees live a shorter life compared to slow growers. 

Also, make sure you’re considering the size of your yard and house. Small to medium-sized trees are more ideal for small houses, especially if they will be placed near the property. 

Deciduous vs. Evergreen

As seasons change, so will the appearance of your trees, depending on whether they are deciduous or evergreen. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall and remain bare throughout the winter. New leaves emerge in the spring. On the other hand, evergreen trees retain foliage all year round, regardless of the season. 

Country vs. City Trees

Another important thing to consider is the type of environment where you live. Some trees grow better in country-sides or suburbs because of the minimal atmospheric pollutants, better soil, and optimal drainage, among others. 

But there are also species that can thrive well in the city, although they tend to live shorter. If you live in the city, some good options include oak trees, Norway maple trees, or Washington hawthorn trees. 

Can’t Find the Best Trees? Call American Landscapes

American Landscapes is a full-service landscaping company, offering design and installation services for your landscape. We have a team of the best designers and architects who can help you choose the best trees for your yard and implement your vision. We can work with almost any budget, needs, and goal. Get a quote today