At Van Till Tree Care, we understand that planting trees in your yard is not a choice you come to easily. There are plenty of options out there for you to choose from, especially if you don’t have a specific image in mind. Trees are the heart and soul of any yard, often taking on the central role in landscape design. Even better, trees can grow to perform a specific job that will help you to enjoy your life and yard more than you do now.
There are many different kinds of trees to consider when you think about planting a tree in your yard:
5. You can get shade
- Keeps your home cooler in the summer
- Keeps your home warmer in the winter
- Usually need more space for these trees
One of the most common reasons that someone plants a tree in their yard, especially along the home, is to get a bit more shade coverage on the home. This shade will keep your home cooler in the summer months, especially if you have a home where you get a majority of sunlight. Even better, and something many people don’t think about, is that shade trees will keep your home warmer in the winter months, according to Arbor Day.
Note that these trees tend to have wider trunks and spread out more, so you will certainly need some space with these trees.
Some of the most popular shade trees include: paper birch, weeping willow, river birch, red maple, tulip poplar, bald cypress, dawn redwood and American sycamore.
4. You can have more privacy
- May need to plant a few trees
- Typically tend to be thicker trees
- Some trees will only provide privacy in some months
Sometimes, our neighbors tend to be a bit nosy and a bit over the top. Instead of moving (because there are going to be nosy people everywhere), you can put up a fence or use trees for some privacy. Fences are great, but they aren’t as clean nor as beautiful as trees are. Privacy trees and shrubs are key to keeping you happy and safe in your home.
According to Fast Growing Trees, “When planting it is also a good idea to place your trees at least 10-15 feet away from your home or foundation. You will also want to stay at least 4-5 ft. away from patios, fences, and other structures. Remember if you are planting underneath a utility line you will want to select a short tree that will not reach more than 25 ft. high.”
This means that you will get more privacy and security – people won’t be able to see you moving around inside your home. Note that you also won’t be able to see out of your yard, which does make some people sit on edge.
Some popular trees that you can plant for privacy include: almost all evergreen trees, some deciduous trees, and semi-evergreens.
3. Have beautiful views
- Some trees are beautiful all year round, others only during specific seasons
- These trees might be more difficult to take care of throughout the years
- Require a delicate touch
Trees that flower, have decorative bark, and beautiful foliage all make for a more beautiful yard. It is important to note that for that beauty, you will have to trade in a few things. These types of trees require your attention and care more often than other trees. From the bark that can get diseases more quickly to the soft wood that breaks more often, you may have more work on your hands for the beautiful flowers. At the very least, you will have to clean up the flowers once they drop.
If you are interested in beautiful trees, HGTV has a comprehensive list of some of the most beautiful trees that you can plant in your yard. Once again, you’ll have to do some research to see which ones will work in your yard.
Some of the prettiest trees that you can plant in the typical yard include: Japanese maple, Chinese magnolia, sugar maple, northern red oak, bald cypress, royal poinciana, and wisteria trees.
2. You can get fruit
- Be prepared for additional work
- These trees need plenty of sun and water
- Will not work in all yards
Most people aren’t interested in starting an orchard in their own back yards. Instead, they want to plant a tree or two that will provide them with fruits. When you plant a fruit tree, you have to think about many different things: how much water the tree needs, the type of soil you have, whether or not you will need chemicals, and even how much space the tree will need. You also need to think about the chance that the trees will spread over the years.
Planting fruit trees requires you to also think about the other trees, flowers, shrubs, and plant life that you have in your yard – some of the chemicals that you may have to use can harm those plants, according to Dave Wilson Nurseries.
Some of the most popular fruit bearing trees you can successfully keep will include apple trees, fig trees, lemon trees, avocado trees, mulberry trees, and olive trees.
1. You can even go a little smaller with shrubs
- Easier to grow than trees
- Tend to cost less
- Fit in yards of all sizes
If you are thinking about something a little smaller, shrubs are always a great option for yards of all sizes. Shrubs can grow rather large or they can be kept in pots. One thing to keep in mind is that, according to Bob Vila, “that like most ornamental plants, shrubbery requires well-draining soil.” You may have to do some prep work before you plant the shrubs so that you can get the best possible, most beautiful shrubs.
Shrubs can be beautiful and add decorative touches to your yard, can help with safety and privacy, and will even bear fruit in some cases, so don’t feel like you are getting less because you are “only” planting a shrub.
It doesn’t matter what type of tree or shrub you want to plant in your yard, you want to contact a professional before you do any type of planting. Contact Van Till Tree Care for all of your tree care needs – we can help you at any stage of the tree process, from planting and taking care of your tree to pruning and cutting it down. Call us today at (800) 554-3834.
