Trees are some of the most beautiful and useful plants, but because of their size and impact that they can have on an environment, it’s important to know what type of trees work well in the area. Tennessee, in particular, because of our temperate climate can support many types of trees, and fall is one of the favorite seasons as we look forward to the changing of the colors of leaves. If you’re looking for trees for your yard, here’s some of the most popular trees to plant.
Long Time Favorites
These trees are known for the beauty, size, and minimal care needed. However, it’s also important to be aware of possible caveats to planting them.
- Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) – 50 to 70 feet in height with roughly 30 foot spread. Pyramidal in habit, heavy straight trunk, branches are distinctly horizontal. Becomes flat topped in maturity.
- Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica) – While popular, beautiful, and one of the more interesting types of trees, it’s especially important that you do not plant this tree near to your house. Its roots will look for water and go towards your pipes causing problems. If you have a pond or naturally wet area far from septic tanks and pipes, this can be a fantastic option or you.
- Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) – 100’ when fully grown. 4.9-6.5 pH range. Blooms in spring with red flowers, brown fruit/seeds and a summer-fall fruit/seed season. Noted for fall colors. Is drought tolerant and does not like shade. Has beautiful white bark for winter interest. The leaves on this are large, so you might want to keep this in mind and plant away from structures for easy leaf removal.
- Red Maple (Acer Rubrum) – 65’ when fully grown. 4-7.4 pH range. Blooms in early spring with red flowers, red fruit/seeds and a spring-spring fruit/seed season. Noted for fall colors. This has become a very popular tree over the years and have become quite abundant, if you’re looking for something unique, you might want to go with something different.
- River Birch (Betula nigra) – 70’ when fully grown. 3-6 pH range. Good fall color
- Sweet gum (Liquidambar Styraciflua) – 100’ when fully grown. Blooms in mid spring with green flowers, brown fruit/seeds and a summer-fall fruit/seed season. Good for fall color.
New Favorites
If you’re looking for something different and yet fast growing for you to enjoy, these have become fast favorites because of their characteristics. Many of these are resistant to tree diseases and grow well.
- Autumn Blaze Maple – one of the fastest growing maple types. It’s resistant to insects and disease, has award winning foliage, and great fall color.
- Thuja Green Giant – grows 3-5 feet each year, grows tall but takes up little room, and is disease resistant.
- Arapaho Crape Myrtle – bright red color, blooms spring to fall, very disease resistant, and grows well in tight spots.
- Liberty Holly – will give you year round privacy, is fast growing, grows almost anywhere, and is easy to maintain.
- Tulip Poplar – gorgeous yellow fall foliage, grows up to 6 feet a year, full yellow blooms in the spring, hard to beat for shade.
- Lombardy Poplar grows up to 6 feet a year, easy to grow, great for windbreaks, fast growing for privacy.
- Cryptomeria – soft feathery foliage which is great in arrangements, grows in any soil, easy to grow, and has a unique shape.
- Kwanzan Cherry – vibrant pink blooms in spring and grows almost anywhere.
- Autumn Cherry – blooms in the spring and fall, has elegant white flowers, high double blooms, and is very adaptable.
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