Expert Picks: The Best Trees to Plant in Your Yard

I have spent the last few weeks immersed in trees. I have read about them, talked about them, watched videos about them and even just stood and looked at them. After all that, I feel like I now know just how little I REALLY know about trees —- especially which ones are great residential options. The truth is that there are lots of factors to consider when selecting trees for your yard.( See our last article. Fall Is for Trees for a detailed look at what you need to consider before purchasing and planting a tree. )

Since there are so many choices on the market today, some good and some poor, I thought it would be wise to ask some actual experts what their personal choices would be for residential tree planting. Here’s what they came up with: I’m sure that their ideas will be a tree-mendous help.

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

A classic native tree with brilliant red fall foliage, thriving even in wetter soils and urban conditions. ‘Brandywine’ for bright red foliage that shifts to purple-red in late season.

Zones: 4–9
Height/Spread: 35–50 ft tall, 25–40 ft wide
Soil/Water: Average soil; medium to wet conditions
Bloom: Insignificant
Fall Color: Deep red
Tolerates: Wet soil, air pollution
Native Range: Eastern North America

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Known for vibrant orange-red autumn color and excellent shade; hardy and long-lived.

Zones: 4–8
Height/Spread: 40–60 ft tall, 25–45 ft wide
Soil/Water: Average soil; medium water
Bloom: Yellowish-green
Fall Color: Orange to red
Tolerates: Drought when established
Native Range: Eastern United States
Look for: ‘Green Mountain’ noted for rapid growth and hardiness.

Red Oak (Quercus rubra)

A stately, fast-growing oak that tolerates drought and pollution, with rich reddish-brown fall color.

Zones: 4–8
Height/Spread: 50–75 ft tall, 50–75 ft wide
Soil/Water: Average, well-drained soil; medium water
Bloom: Insignificant, May
Fall Color: Reddish brown
Tolerates: Drought, air pollution
Native Range: Eastern North America
Look for: ‘Shumard’ as an excellent specimen tree.

Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)

White Oak trees are known for their unusual leaves, which are dark, shiny green on top and silvery white underneath.

Zones: 3–8
Height/Spread: 50–60 ft tall and wide
Soil/Water: Average, slightly acidic; medium to wet
Bloom: Insignificant
Fall Color: Yellow to reddish-purple
Tolerates: Wet soil
Native Range: Northeastern North America Swamp

Shingle Oak (Quercus imbricaria)

Distinctive smooth-edged leaves; its acorns are valuable for wildlife.

Zones: 5–8
Height/Spread: 40–60 ft tall and wide
Soil/Water: Rich, humusy, well-drained soil; medium water
Bloom: Insignificant
Fall Color: Yellow-brown to red-brown
Tolerates: Drought
Native Range: Eastern and Central United States

Elm (‘Frontier’) (Ulmus ‘Frontier’)

Compact, urban-tough, and highly resistant to Dutch Elm disease.

Zones: 4–10
Height/Spread: 30–40 ft tall, 20–30 ft wide
Soil/Water: Average, well-drained; moist to average
Bloom: Insignificant, rarely flowers
Fall Color: Reddish-purple
Tolerates: Urban conditions
Native Range: Non-native

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Striking feathery foliage that turns cinnamon-brown in fall; handles wet or dry conditions well.

Zones: 4–9
Height/Spread: 50–75 ft tall, 15–20 ft wide
Soil/Water: Sandy, acidic, loamy; medium to wet
Bloom: Non-flowering
Fall Color: Orange to cinnamon-brown
Tolerates: Clay soil, deer, air pollution, drought
Native Range: Eastern United States
Look for: ‘Shawnee Brave’ for dense, feathery foliage paired with a more narrow shape than the species variety.

Seven-Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides)

A smaller ornamental with late-summer blooms and winter bark interest, attracting pollinators.

Zones: 5–9
Height/Spread: 6–10 ft tall and wide
Soil/Water: Average, well-drained soil; medium water
Bloom: Fragrant white, August–September; followed by red fruits
Fall Color: Yellow
Native Range: China
Look for: ‘Temple of Bloom’ with exfoliating winter bark.

Want to learn more about any of these trees? Dan Nelson, our Lead Designer, is the person to talk to. Reach out to Dan for expert advice and to explore how these trees could enhance your landscape.

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Beloved for its early spring pink blooms and wildlife appeal.

Zones: 4–8
Height/Spread: 20–30 ft tall, 25–35 ft wide
Soil/Water: Average soil; medium water
Bloom: Pink to reddish-pink
Fall Color: Yellow to greenish-yellow
Tolerates: Clay soil; deer resistant
Native Range: Eastern North America

American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

Towering shade tree with striking exfoliating bark.

Zones: 4–9
Height/Spread: 75–100 ft tall and wide
Soil/Water: Average, well-drained; medium to wet
Bloom: Males yellow, females red
Fall Color: Golden-yellow to brown
Tolerates: Wet soil, air pollution
Native Range: Southeastern United States
Look for: Especially prized for its bark, which exfoliates to show creamy white inner bark.