What is the best tree to plant in your yard

What is the best tree to plant in your yard?

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Want to learn what is the best tree to plant in your yard? You are extremely lucky to have your own garden, but it is a bit soulless and this year, yes or yes, you want to give it a good facelift so that it does not look like an abandoned wasteland.

And we are going to help you with this task by telling you which are the best small trees that you can plant in your garden.

 

What is the best tree to plant in your yard?

The first thing you should do, if you really want a redesign of your garden, is to talk to a professional. He will be able to advise you better than anyone on the arrangements of the space, what you need and will make you “bring down” your needs, because maybe you want an elm but no, it is not feasible. (1)

That said, there are several things to keep in mind before rolling the blanket over your head:

 

What is the dimension of your garden?

If the garden or your patio has limits that you can see from your window (that is, it is not a large estate, so that we understand each other) you must be very clear about which plants and above all, which ones you cannot have to avoid any surprise with too large trees that end up in the neighbor’s territory.

In addition, you also have to take into account the height of your house, that is, the tree you choose must have a size in accordance with the architectural limits of your house.

 

Take the weather into account – another vital aspect

Although the trees are resistant, you have to take into account your weather to make a good choice.

 

The earth

If we are talking about a small tree in a pot, we are talking about a depth of at least 80 cm, at least. Now extrapolate that to a large tree: keep in mind that trees take up space and require nutrients.

 

Deciduous or evergreen?

Another thing you should ask yourself: whoever has a garden and wants to take care of it knows that this involves hours of work.

Keep this in mind: a deciduous tree sheds its foliage and that means removing those leaves. Rate this aspect.

 

Fruity or non-fruity?

It is another aspect that you should value if you only want green and shade or you want to pick the fruits.

 

Judas tree

Known by the common names Tree of love, Tree of Judas, Tree of Judea, Redbud, or Crazy Algarrobo, it is one of the most planted species in parks and streets. Native to Southern Europe and Western Asia, it only grows to a height of 6-12 meters, making it perfect for small gardens.

Its leaves are deciduous, and its lilac flowers are amazing. These appear before the leaves, in spring. The most interesting thing is that not only does it provide good shade, but it can also be pruned in autumn or late winter. And, yes, it is also resistant to cold: up to -18ºC.

 

Robinia hispida

Native to North America, it is a deciduous tree that is usually in bloom in spring and summer (pink flowers). It can reach 3 and 5 meters, with a diameter between 1.5 and 3 meters.

It needs sun and fertile, well-drained soils. Tolerates the cold.

 

Orange tree

Evergreen leaves and a nice straight trunk. It demands a lot of light and it also likes water. As a reward, he will give you oranges.

 

Bauhinia

Bauhinia, known as Orchid Tree, Camel’s Foot, or Cow’s Foot, are deciduous trees native to Asia that reach a height of about 6-7 meters. They have a dense crown with a more or less parasol appearance, which is why over the years they give an interesting shade. In addition, its flowers are a real wonder as you can see in the images.

Plant them in full sun and enjoy them all year round. They support light frosts down to -7ºC.

 

Prunus

The Prunus. They are one of the most beautiful trees that exist, and one of those that can give an interesting shade to small gardens. There are many species as you can see in this article, but if you only want them to protect you from the sun and be decorative, get one of the ones you see in the images above.

Both Prunus cerasifera var. Pissardi, known as Pissard plum or Japan plum (among other names), such as P. mahaleb or Saint Lucia Cherry, such as Prunus serrulata or Japanese cherry are deciduous plants that reach heights between 6 and 12 meters. Likewise, they are also very resistant: they withstand frosts down to -15ºC well.

 

Pomegranate

It does not usually exceed 5 meters in height. It blooms between April and June, it is common to see it in Mediterranean areas because it needs warm temperatures.

Deciduous, its trunk twists as it grows.

 

Citrus

We don’t usually think of citrus as shade trees, which is a mistake. Yes, it is true that normally they are only used as fruit trees, but with some pruning, you can get a specimen that gives you very good shade. Especially advisable is the lemon tree, but in reality, any will do for you.

These trees are evergreen and have very nice aromatic flowers. So your garden, apart from being a very cozy place, will have your dessert ready during the fruit season.

The only thing is that you must pay them from spring to autumn, and protect them from intense frosts. They support up to -7ºC, but while they are young they need a little protection against the cold.

 

Medlar

Native to Asia, it reaches between 6 and 8 meters in height. Flowering occurs in autumn and fruits emerge in spring.

It needs sun but can also grow in light shade. It requires well-drained soils. It is your tree if you want to give a tropical touch to your garden.

 

Ligustrum lucidum

The arboreal privet has surely been seen at some time in the car parks. It is an evergreen tree native to China and Japan that reaches a height of 12-15 meters.

It grows fast, so if you are in a hurry to get that precious shade, this tree will be one of your best options, since in addition its flowers, which sprout in spring, give off a pleasant aroma.

The only drawback is that its fruits when they fall dirty the ground, but it adapts to all types of soils. And if this is not enough, tell you that it resists pruning and frost down to -12ºC.

 

Lemon tree

From the same family as the previous one. Evergreen, does not usually reach 6 meters. It requires water and electricity and well-fertilized land. It is able to withstand the cold but not the frost.

It can bear fruit all year round depending on the variety.

 

Almond tree

A joy to behold for its pink flowers. It does not grow very large, it is usually hardy and has a moderate water demand. Of course: be patient because the maturation of the almonds is quite slow.

 

Maples

Maples are deciduous trees native to temperate regions of the world, found mainly in America and Europe. There is a great variety, some of which are better known than others, such as the Acer palmatum, the Acer rubrum, or the Acer pseudoplatanus.

Any of them are ideal for providing good shade, but if you have a rather small garden you have to opt for smaller species, such as the Acer campestre (10 meters), the Acer pensylvanicum (5-10 meters), or the Acer negundo. (12-15 meters).

So that they can develop well, it is very important that they are in places with a temperate climate, whose seasons are well differentiated. During winter the temperature should drop below 0 degrees.

 

Crepe-myrtle

Originally from China, Japan, and India, it can reach 6 meters, with a similar diameter. Its beautiful flowers usually appear in summer. They can be pink, lilac, purple, or white. It requires sun but is not demanding in terms of soil.

It tolerates frost, important if you live in a place with harsh winters. Ideal if you are looking for a touch of color.

 

Tips for caring for your trees

Do you already know which tree you are going to put up? If so, first of all, I invite you to read these tips. Unfortunately, we often see trees that, although they do not have invasive roots, are placed too close to a wall or asphalt or tiled ground, and over the years their root system ends up causing problems. The human being in these cases always ends up blaming the tree, when the only person responsible is the one who planted it there.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, both in the medium and long term, you must leave space for the plant and move it at least 50cm to 1m away from any construction. Surely during the first years, nothing will happen for having planted it a few centimeters from the ground, but foreseeably in the future, it will be necessary to take measures to prevent the situation from worsening.

Another topic I’m going to talk to you about is maintenance. The trees we have selected are suitable for beginners, but they need water, and also a regular supply of fertilizer throughout the growing season.

The best water will undoubtedly be rain, but if you can’t get it, you can fill a bucket and let it sit overnight before using it. Do not let the soil remain dry for a long time, and enrich it by adding organic fertilizers from spring to late summer or early autumn.

To prevent pests, get neem oil and potassium soap, and treat your plants once a month (use one if you want and the next, do not mix them). Even diatomaceous earth can do very well, both to prevent parasites from damaging them and to fertilize the soil.

And nothing more. With this, you will surely have shade for a long, long time.

 

Still, you have questions about what is the best tree to plant in your yard? Leave a comment and I’ll do my best to help.

 

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