Trees are beautiful, provide shade, and can even help homeowners save money on their energy bills. But what are the best trees for front yard landscaping? Nobody wants to spend all their weekends raking up leaves and trimming tree branches.
Look no further for ideas! Read on to discover some fantastic species that will work well in any front yard in Atlanta.
Trees That Stay Small
To avoid sprawling giants that take over small yards or even threaten the house, choose tree varieties that stay small.
Japanese maples are a lovely option that add a splash of brilliant color to the yard. Small varieties are able to be kept pruned under 8-15 feet tall. These serene trees grow slowly and look gorgeous with any type of landscaping.
Petite dogwoods are a popular option that blooms in the spring. These wonderful trees stay small at maturity and welcome the growing season with white, pink, or red flowers.
On the other hand, fruit is sometimes more interesting than flowers. Many dwarf or semi-dwarf fruit trees are commercially available. Apple, cherry, peach, pear, nectarine, and citrus trees are widely available. Further, many full-size fruit trees can be pruned to keep them smaller and more manageable.
Another colorful option is a smoke tree. The delicate blooms of this diminutive 10 – 15 foot tall tree can be cream or pink, and they sport colorful purple foliage throughout the season.
Other options include the ever-popular evergreen arborvitae, of which there are several varieties available.
Best Trees for Providing Shade
Many people think of shade trees as the best trees for front yard landscaping. Their spreading branches help keep the house cool during Atlanta’s hot, humid summers. Some of them, like the Chinese dogwood or Texas Redbud, offer beautiful blooms to add explosions of color to the landscape.
Take care to plant shade trees where they will have enough space. Some varieties can get quite wide, such as the bald cypress (40-50 ft) or the Northern red oak (50-60 ft).
Tall, Skinny Trees
In small yards, it’s great to use tall, skinny trees for landscaping. The goal in a small yard is to create a sense of space and dimension, without crowding the yard or making it feel small. Arborvitae and cypress trees are both perfect for this purpose.
Use them as a living privacy fence around the perimeter of the yard or as focal points in flower beds next to the house. They can even be trained into whimsical topiaries.
Evergreen Trees
No list of the best trees for front yard landscaping would be complete without mentioning evergreen trees. These majestic trees keep the landscaping looking alive and fresh all year round without nuisance leaf drop in the fall!
Some, like the Scotch pine, change color from blue-green to yellowish-green in the winter. The longleaf pine is excellent for those who want super tall, skinny trees for landscaping, and arborvitaes are a staple in Atlanta yards.
Flowering Trees
Want a colorful front yard? Flowering trees are a fantastic option. For example, crabapple trees top out at about 20 feet high and the entire tree bursts into bloom with red or white blossoms.
Dogwoods come in a wide variety of colors and crepe myrtle trees light up with delicate pink blossoms. For something larger, consider a Southern magnolia. As a bonus, the large fruit from this tree attracts birds to the yard.
Trees for Color in Autumn
Don’t forget about autumn colors as well! Enjoy the star-shaped leaves of the sweet gum and watch them turn red, orange, yellow, and purple in the fall.
The sugar maple both blooms in the spring and glows with fiery color in the fall. Be prepared to rake leaves for a few weeks, though!
The sourwood tree is an excellent option with beautiful crimson, and purplish-red leaves in the fall. As an added bonus, it blooms midsummer (when other trees have stopped blooming and leafed out) and has an unusual flower pattern reminiscent of lily of the valley.
Basics to Keep in Mind
- Keep the mature size in mind and plant far enough away from structures
- Avoid planting where the roots will interfere with plumbing or hardscapes
- Research whether the tree will produce unwanted fruit or seeds/pods or excessive pollen
- Before digging, contact Georgia 811 to avoid hitting utility lines
Got a Project in Mind?
Here at Atlanta Turf & Tree, we take immense pride in building beautiful, lasting landscapes that double as living art. We have over 35 years of combined experience in the industry and understand the challenges unique to Georgia landscapes. Contact our landscaping services experts to get going on your project!
