What is the best tree for front yard


Front Yard Trees That Offer Curb Appeal | Planting Tree

Are you thinking about adding a tree to your front yard? Front yard trees add curb appeal and even increase your property value! Luckily you have a lot of options. Flowering trees and ornamental trees are most often planted in front yards. If you have more space, you can add a shade tree with gorgeous fall color. No matter what type of tree you choose, planting a tree will beautify your yard and home.

Here are some of our favorite front yard trees:

 

Crape Myrtles

Crape Myrtles are easily recognizable with their multi-trunks, peeling but smooth bark, and months of colorful blooms. These trees are mainly grown in the southern United States, but some varieties are more cold hardy than others and can grow in cooler regions. Crape myrtles are heat, humidity, and drought tolerant. They are available in a variety of colors.

 

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Dogwood Trees

Dogwood Trees are one of the most popular front yard trees because of their amazing spring display. Choose from red, pink, or white flowers. For a slightly different look, the popular Kousa Dogwood has white blooms in spring and red fall foliage. Dogwood trees are adaptable and drought tolerant. Do not plant them in a wet site. Cornus florida trees are native and flower before the leaves emerge while Cornus kousa trees tend to have more pest and disease resistance and bloom later in spring when the leaves are already on the tree.

 

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Evergreen Trees

You probably want to consider smaller evergreen trees in the front yard like: junipers, hollies, or arborvitae. We really like Emerald Green Arborvitae, Blue Point Juniper, Nellie Stevens Holly, Italian Cypress, and Oakland Holly for front yards. If you have a large yard you also have options like cypress, thuja, spruce, or cedars. Evergreen trees offer year-round interest and tend to be very low maintenance.

 

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Flowering Cherry Trees

Cherry Blossom Trees are absolutely breathtaking. These trees offer phenomenal spring beauty. For white flowers look to the Yoshino Cherry Tree or the Weeping Yoshino. For pink blooms consider the Kwanzan Cherry Tree or the Okame Cherry Tree. Cherry trees are easy to maintain, but can have problems with disease. They make a beautiful addition to any front yard.

 

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Hydrangea Trees

We all love hydrangeas, but did you know that there are hydrangea trees? These exciting dwarf trees give your home major curb appeal. Hydrangea trees are easy to grow and look attractive in any landscape. Tree hydrangea are generally Hydrangea paniculata and come in white, pink, and red colors. The Pinky Winky Hydrangea Tree and Limelight Hydrangea Tree are stunning choices.

 

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Japanese Maples

Japanese Maple Trees are some of the best front yard trees available. They are absolutely beautiful and unique. They come in weeping and upright forms and a variety of leaf colors. Japanese maples tend to be dwarf trees so they can fit in just about any yard. Just keep in mind Japanese maples (especially the smaller varieties) can be pretty slow growing. Patience is required to allow these trees to reach their full potential. Try the Bloodgood Japanese Maple or the Coral Bark Japanese Maple for a pop of color.

 

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Magnolia Trees

Magnolia Trees have large gorgeous blooms. These stunning blooms are fragrant and most often white, but there are pink, purple, and yellow flower varieties as well. There are magnolia trees for just about every region in the United States. Check the growing zone recommendations before buying to be sure the magnolia tree you chose is appropriate for your area. The Jane Magnolia Tree provides beautiful purple-pink blossoms for growing zones 5 through 8.

 

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Redbud Trees

Redbud Trees are another top choice for your front yard. These trees can handle some shade so they are great for adding spring color to yards with existing shade trees. Redbuds are small, easy to grow, drought tolerant, and adaptable. If you love early spring bloomers with a lot of color and loads of blooms, these are the perfect trees for you. If you're looking for purple, the Eastern Redbud and the Forest Pansy Redbud have gorgeous purple blooms. The Rising Redbud shines with yellows and oranges, while the Royal White Redbud has snow white blossoms.

 

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Rose Trees

Rose Trees are great for creating an upscale look in even the smallest front yard. They even grow well in pots so you can transform an entryway, deck, or patio with them. Many rose trees bloom for three seasons. This adds a ton of color to your landscape. For rose trees that bloom in spring, summer, and fall, check out Knock Out Roses.

 

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There are many other flowering trees for your front yard. The Blue Chinese Wisteria Tree has unique, cascading blossoms. The Royal Purple Smoke Tree has billowy purple plumes. The Cleveland Pear Tree blooms with white blossoms in the spring and then has mahogany leaves in fall. There are a variety of colors and shapes to beautifully adorn your front yard.

Hopefully we helped you find the perfect tree for your front yard. If not, we have a huge selection of trees of all shapes, colors, and sizes, from large shade trees to small trees. Browse our entire selection of trees for sale to find just what you want. Happy planting!

 

Need more reasons to plant a front yard tree? Read about the benefits of planting trees. If you are looking for the best backyard trees instead, check out our blog? Or, browse all trees for sale.

Tune in next week for Front Yard Plants That Make it Look Professionally Landscaped.

 

You might also like:

Types of Dogwood Trees

Redbud Tree Varieties

Easy Landscaping Ideas for the Front of Your House

Best trees for front yards: 10 varieties to suit all gardens

By choosing the best trees for front yards, you can completely transform your front garden design. The right tree adds height to the garden landscape and creating a point of architectural interest around which the rest of the garden design can be orientated. 

However, with limited space available, selecting the right tree is key. It is important to look for a tree that can comfortably grow in a small garden – and one that will add year-round interest to your front yard landscaping ideas. 

'While really any tree can be grown in the front yard, the best varieties are those that offer some kind of ornamental value such as flower, leaf color, or general texture,' advises Blythe Yost, CEO of the online landscape design company Tilly , 'A few well placed shade trees will lend significance and grandeur to your property for years to come – they are a great investment and will do wonders for your curb appeal.'

Best trees for front yards

When choosing the best trees for front yards, it is important to first work out what you want from the tree. Do you want the tree to offer privacy or do you want it to be a stand out feature in your front yard? Are you looking for something to bring color to your outdoor space, or would you rather something low-maintenance that doesn't drop a lot of leaves come fall? Think size, too, since it's likely that you'll be looking for trees for small gardens, rather than ones suited to larger spaces.

It's also vital to factor in the conditions of your front yard – what sort of soil do you have, is it a north-facing garden or south-facing garden plot, do you have extreme summers and/or winters? All of these things will impact the long-term health and subsequent appearance of the tree – an unhealthy, drooping tree is never going to be one of the best trees for front yards.

‘Make sure the tree you select will thrive in the growing conditions. This includes the type of soil, wind, rainfall, winter cold and summer heat. Check the tag for this information as well as the mature height and spread,’ advises certified arborist and garden expert Melinda Myers . ‘Contact your University Extension service, local garden center, nature center, landscape professionals, certified arborists, or other more localized tree resources to find trees suited to their climate.’

1. Magnolia

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A herald of spring, magnolia is loved for its beautiful goblet flowers and sweet fragrance. There are lots of different varieties, from smaller varieties like Magnolia Black Tulip which reaches about 10 feet at maturity, through to evergreen cultivars such as Magnolia grandiflora that are fairly mess free and offer year-round privacy. 

Magnolia stellata is a popular choice for front yards as it has a small stature but still produces a stunning array of flowers. In fact, it can even be grown in a container so is ideal if you don't have the space to plant a tree in the ground. 

Magnolia trees are suited to USDA zones 7 to 9. One thing to note is that most magnolia trees prefer slightly acidic soil and full sun, though there are some varieties that can tolerate more neutral soil so be sure to do your research when looking for the best trees for front yards. 

2. Pink Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida rubra)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

'When I have a design request from a client that centers around planting trees, I always recommend going for species that attract pollinators and animals,' advises Jane Clarke, landscape expert from Fantastic Gardeners .

Native to Eastern US, Pink Flowering Dogwood is one of the best trees for front yards if you want to attract wildlife into your garden. In spring, its stunning pink blooms will last for up to 4 weeks. Your tree will be rich with bees and butterflies enjoying the nectar. Once its flowered, the bright green leaves of its summer foliage will turn a deep, eye-catching purple shade throughout fall. Tolerant between USDA zones 5 to 9, the berries that the Pink Flowering Dogwood produces in the cooler months will become a mainstay for feeding birds in winter.

3. Paper Bark Birch (Betula papyrifera)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Named for its beautiful white bark, which curls and peels into layers when the tree is mature, the paper bark birch would make for a beautiful centerpiece in a front yard. Famed for being the state tree of New Hampshire, it is a popular nesting site for woodpeckers, blue jay, nuthatches, chickadees and swallows. Able to thrive in gardens in USDA zones 2 through to 7, the paper bark birch is one of the best trees for front yards in colder parts of the country.  

4. Wisteria

(Image credit: Bridget Pierson)

A staple of the cottage garden, wisteria is a romantic addition to any front yard. Whether you decide to grow wisteria up the wall of your house, on an archway over your front path, or over a garden fence, it adds color and character to your home.

Most varieties are tolerant from zones 5 to 9, though Kentucky wisteria – which is native to North America rather than Asia – can be grown even in zone 3. If growing wisteria, it is important to know how to prune wisteria as this will keep it in good condition and ensure an abundance of flowers.

5. Green giant arborvitae (Thuja x. ‘Green Giant’)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you're looking for an architectural, easy to care for, evergreen tree, then green giant arborvitae are one of the best trees for front yards. 'A moderately fast-growing evergreen conifer (3 feet per year), green giant arborvitae are easy to grow and low maintenance making them a great choice for front yards, especially in zones 5 to 9,' suggests Tammy Sons, CEO of TN Nurserys .

Their conical shape and their height – growing up to 60 feet tall – makes them a great focal point for year-round interest. Consider planting either side of a front porch to frame the house, then underplant with flowers and small shrubs for further interest. 

6. Redbud tree (Cercis canadensis)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This beautiful tree is one of the prettiest trees to grow in the front yard and is suitable for planting from zones 4 through 8. Its bright pink blooms erupt at the start of spring, before the pretty heart-shaped leaves develop later in the season creating a colorful welcome to your home. Growing to 20 feet tall, and around 20 feet wide, this deciduous tree is also relatively small which makes it perfect for front yards.

7. Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you are looking for a tree that produces plenty of flowers, then crape myrtle is one of the best trees for front yards. Exploding in a profusion of pink blooms in summer and retaining them well into the fall, they are popularly known as the lilac of the south.  

Tolerant in USDA zones 7 through to 10, the crape myrtle is a fairly small tree – only growing up to 15–25 feet tall – making it a great addition for small front yards. 'The Crape Myrtle trees bring a lot to the table in terms of augmenting your front yard with color that is year-round,' says Luke Kalawsky, manager of Central Phoenix Moon Valley Nurseries  . 'The Crape Myrtle is easy to care for and is moderately drought-resistant once established.

Crape myrtle needs full sun and thrive best in hot and dry conditions, so if you live in an area with high humidity, then they are best avoided as they are susceptible to mildew. 

8. Tibetan cherry tree (Prunus serrula)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tibetan cherry trees are one of the best trees for front yards due to its eye-catching color and interesting shape. Growing in zones 6 to 8, its beautiful, polished mahogany bark creates a stunning feature that adds color and interest all year around, especially come winter when the red bark pops against white snow. Then come spring, it erupts in a host of delicate white flowers, which contrast the deep red bark for a stunning display. 

9. Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you're just going to have one tree in your front yard then you need to pick a hardworking variety that will make a statement. The Callery pear, also known as the flowering pear or Bradford pear starts the year with a profusion of late winter and early spring flowers, while its bright green leaves darken throughout the year, shifting to a deep orange-red hue in the fall – the quintessential fall tree. 

'The Flowering Pear is moderate to fast-growing and needs low to moderate watering once established. Flowering Pears love sun exposure and are highly resistant to fire-flight, making the tree a great choice for firescaping,' advises says Luke Kalawsky, manager of Central Phoenix Moon Valley Nursery . 

A large tree, growing up to 50 feet tall and tolerant through USDA zones 4 to 8, it is a great choice if you are also looking for a tree that will add shade and privacy to your front yard. 'Prune to maintain desired canopy shape and size, and fertilize monthly from early spring to fall to receive fullest flower potential,' continues Luke.

10. Bay tree in planter

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Even if you only have a small front yard, you can still grow trees in pots. When it comes to containers, the best trees for front yards differ slightly from the others on this list. Size becomes of vital importance, as the tree must be able to thrive with a constricted root area. Slow-growing trees are best for growing in pots as you won't have to constantly repot them.

There are lots of options for the best trees to grow in pots . Bay is a great choice for a classic, sophisticated look and fairs well in most areas. Olive trees are also popular for those looking to create a Mediterranean garden retreat, and as mentioned before, there are species of magnolia that can also thrive in pots.

What are the best trees to plant in your front yard?

Magnolia, crape myrtle and pink flowering dogwood are some of the best trees to plant in your front yard. ‘Look for trees that do not create a mess or create planting beds around them so the mess is masked by the surrounding plants,’ suggests certified arborist and garden expert Melinda Myers .

The best tree for your front yard will depend on the size of your yard, amount of growing space you have available as well as the climate and the severity of your summers and winters.

What is a good shade tree that is not messy?

Green giant arborvitae, silver dollar tree and southern magnolia are all good options that create garden shade – and are not messy. Since they are evergreen they do not loose their leaves in fall, meaning you don't have to clear up a host of fallen leaves, or worry about them creating an unattractive and slippery welcome to your home. 

Which trees can be planted 🏡 on the plot near the house, and which ones cannot

It is difficult to imagine a private house without a single tree on the plot. It is plants that create a sense of harmony in any space where people are going to live or already live. Usually, seedlings are selected and planted at the stage of building a house - this is done by a landscape designer, and sometimes by the owner of suburban housing.


For many years, green plantings delight the owners of the house with flowering, aroma and even delicious fruits. However, each plant requires a certain approach and affects everything that surrounds it. Some of them have even acquired superstitions, and the Internet is full of information about the energy properties of certain breeds. As for their location, distance from each other and from other objects, this is regulated by the requirements of SNiP.

Which tree species are best planted near the house and why?

The first thing you should pay attention to before planting seedlings is the climatic conditions in which you place the plant. They determine which tree is best planted in the garden. In the northern regions, it is rare to see fruit varieties that simply die in inappropriate conditions. In the south, acacias, yews, lindens and firs are common.


When choosing a garden plant, owners usually rely on its appearance. However, do not forget about the features of the root system and the structure of the trunk - they allow you to understand whether the plant is suitable for a residential area.

Based on the characteristics of the climate, it is better to choose a plant for your garden from the following unpretentious representatives.

We have sorted out suitable plants, but which trees should not be planted near the house? There are not so many of them, and the reasons for the negative impact have different grounds.

Tree species not best planted near the house

So, you have decided which tree to plant in your garden. In addition to your personal preferences and natural features of plants, there are a number of rules that determine their location. The distance between plantings and their distance from the neighboring allotment are indicated in special SNiP.

Green space requirements

SNiP 30-03-97 - a regulatory document containing the rules for the development of land plots. It is in it that the distance between plantings and their remoteness from construction sites and neighboring properties are indicated. The rules also take into account the distance between the plant and underground utilities.

In order to accurately calculate planting sites, topographic surveys are sometimes required. It takes into account all the objects on the territory, determines their exact coordinates and provides comprehensive information about the area. Based on its results, a topographic plan is drawn up, which is used by builders and landscape designers.

The trees planted near the house, whichever species you choose, determine the unique look of your garden. Country houses made of SIP panels are a place of rest for some, a permanent place of residence for others. In both cases, green spaces create coziness and enhance the feeling of peace and remoteness from the bustle of the city.

What kind of trees can be planted near the house, and what kind of trees can not be planted according to folk signs

What types of trees can be planted near the house, and which ones cannot be - the signs that our grandparents believed in are always right. There are trees that can improve life in the house, and there are also plants that cannot be planted near the house in the garden or nearby.

Energy of trees

Our ancestors believed that any plant has a certain energy that affects a person. Trees with negative energy, such as oak or willow, bring bad luck and worsen health. They are called vampires because they draw positive energy from the environment. As you might guess, they have no place on the site, even if they look beautiful.

Another category of plants are donors. They have the opposite effect on the outside world, it is not for nothing that they are considered natural healers. They attract good luck, disperse sadness and provide a good mood, improve health and even reduce pain. Of course, it is better to plant them near the house. It can be any fruit trees, acacia, larch and many others.

What trees and plants can be grown near the house

Trees such as oak or poplar should not grow near the house. Many folk signs can be explained scientifically. Fortunately, according to beliefs, there are much more plants with good energy. Therefore, if desired, a beautiful garden will turn out on the site.

If you have a question about which plants to plant, then you should pay attention to the following types.

It is interesting that not only decorative, but also fruit trees and shrubs can have a positive effect on people.

Choose carefully which trees and flowers to plant in your garden. According to signs that have come down to us from ancient times, some of them negatively affect the world around us and the human body (for example, oak). Modern science is often able to explain why this happens.

But even if there is no obvious reason, you should think carefully before growing oak or poplar in the yard. Bad energy, which they differ in, is able to draw strength from a person. Even if there is no complete trust in beliefs, it is hardly worth risking your well-being and the health of your household. This also applies to other trees that have the same properties as the oak. It is recommended to choose plants and flowers that can be beneficial.

Which trees should not be planted near the house

Signs will give you a hint which plants can and cannot be grown in the yard. It is not necessary to follow them, but it is worth remembering that they are based on certain experience. The vigor is difficult to verify, but many of the trees that are best discarded have an extensive root system. Often it is so powerful that it can destroy the foundation of the house. Signs are also called poisonous shrubs and flowers.

If the gardener wondered what plants should not be placed on the site, then the folk wisdom accumulated over the centuries will help him figure it out. One of the most unwanted trees in the yard - oak . It is believed that he has a strong energy, no wonder he is a symbol of longevity. But for those who cannot boast of strong health, the oak weakens even more. It also draws vitality from insufficiently strong people. There is another belief, according to which it is not recommended to plant an oak in front of the house: it will bring a quick death to the head of the family. There is an opinion that he perceives warriors well. But for them, oak is a danger.

Is it possible to plant a birch in the yard? Surely many people ask this question, because the Russian beauty, thanks to her white trunk, looks very elegant. But still, you shouldn't do it. According to signs, spirits live in its crown. They can be kind, then problems are unlikely to arise. But it is likely that they will turn out to be evil. There is a belief that a woman near whose house a birch grows will suffer from diseases of the female organs and even infertility. If you really want to plant an elegant white-trunked tree in front of the house, then it is better to do it behind the fence, near the gate. The plant has protective properties and will protect housing from evil forces. It can be assumed that such recommendations are related to the characteristics of the birch: a strong root system and the extraction of moisture from the soil, which is why other plants do not take root near it.

A sane owner will give up the idea of ​​planting a poplar tree near the house . And it's not even about his energy. From this point of view, it is rather beneficial, since it is believed that it draws out negative energy. But it refers specifically to trees with a strong root system, which has a destructive effect on the foundation of the house. So if you don’t want to risk being left homeless in a few years, then it’s better to refuse this plant. Another feature of poplar is a hollow trunk. Because of this, it is less resistant to strong winds and can easily break, causing an accident. It is also worth remembering poplar fluff, which spreads around the neighborhood during the flowering period, causing irritation of the mucous membrane and provoking allergies.

Trees that do not belong near the house include walnut . This does not mean that it cannot be grown, depriving yourself of the chance to enjoy delicious fruits. It just needs to be placed away from outbuildings that its root system can harm.

Coniferous trees are also associated with folk omens. According to popular beliefs, spruce and pines bring bad luck, ruin crops and are even capable of bringing death to the owners of the house. However, such a negative attitude towards these plants is found mainly in areas where they are not common. And there is an explanation for this: in Rus', the dead were covered with spruce branches, it is not surprising that the tree caused fear. In addition, spruce easily catches fire, which is a danger to wooden houses.

If oak , according to signs, is a danger primarily for the head of the family, then thuja will bring misfortune to girls. They will remain single forever, as they will not be able to get married. There is an opinion that in a family in front of whose house a thuja grows, only girls will be born. Tui also has a positive property - it scares away evil forces. Therefore, it makes sense to plant it behind a fence.

Willow is another tree that beliefs do not recommend planting near the house. She will bring grief to the house. No wonder they call her weeping. The point is not only in the sadly lowered branches, but also in the belief that those who planted it on their site will cry a lot.

Useful plants include ferns. It relieves negative emotions and helps to maintain peace in the family. But it often causes allergies.

Willow belongs to plants with negative aura. It is believed that the one who decided to plant it will soon die. In no case should it be planted in honor of the birth of a child, as this will bring him misfortune.

Aspen also has negative energy. If a person stays next to her for a long time, he will begin to experience fatigue and apathy.

Signs about long-growing trees

The problem of old trees, which take up a lot of space on the site and become an obstacle to the growth of young seedlings, periodically overtakes every gardener. Someone entrusts the work to professionals, someone on their own is trying to destroy the objectionable giant.

However, it is not worth rushing to uproot long-growing plantations, because there is a popular belief that a tall tree hanging over a house serves as a living amulet for its owners. All advice is based on Russian signs.

There is another reason why a tree should be left untouched. This principle applies to cases where a person buys a site that already had owners, with old buildings that have been standing for more than a dozen years. If you want to save the building, carefully examine everything that grows around. Feel free to invite a magician or a witch to help.

Old trees can become a haven for the ordeal soul of an innocently killed or committed person. By disturbing her, one can incur anger upon oneself.

A tree planted by the previous owners can be a protective talisman of the house from damage and the evil eye or the penetration of otherworldly entities.


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