Planting trees near your house enhances the aesthetic appeal of your landscape and offers several environmental benefits. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants from the air, thus improving air quality.
Additionally, trees provide shade, which can reduce energy costs by providing natural cooling in the summer. They also help prevent soil erosion and improve water quality by absorbing rainwater.
This article will help you choose the most suitable trees for your area, considering factors like soil type, root system, growth rate, etc. Discover a list of the best trees that will charm your home and ensure its long-term stability.
How to Pick the Right Tree to Plant Near House
Selecting the right tree to plant near your house involves considering factors such as soil type, available space, tree size and growth rate, root system traits, and maintenance requirements.
Soil Type
Different trees like different types of soil. Some grow best in clay, but that can be tough for many trees. If the soil is sandy, it drains fast, so you might need to water more often.
Loamy soil, a mix of sand and clay, is excellent for most trees. Be careful with acidic soil, though! It can stop some trees from getting the food they need from the ground. So before planting a tree near your house, check what kind of soil you have.
Space Availability
You need to check how much space you have before planting a tree near your home. Some trees grow wide and tall and need lots of room to spread their roots and branches. They might not grow well if they are too close to your house or other trees.
Also, if a tree is big, its roots can harm your house’s walls. If your yard is tiny, a good tip is to plant small trees. Look at a tree’s full size before planting it near your home!
Tree size and Growth Rate
Before planting, consider a tree’s size and growth rate. Some trees grow quickly and get very big. The Willow tree is one kind. It becomes large too soon, so it’s unsuitable for small areas near houses.
The Silver Maple is another quick-growing tree with invasive roots that can hurt sidewalks or house bases. Roots from this type of tree might also ruin driveways. Not all trees are like this, though! There are slow-growing trees like Japanese maple that fit well in small spaces near homes because they won’t outgrow their spot too fast.
Tree’s Root System
Tree roots are essential. They like wet soil and grow away from your house because it’s usually dry near the base. But be careful! Some trees have strong roots that can harm your home’s base or the whole building if planted too close.
Silver maple is one of those trees with fast-growing roots that can cause problems for nearby structures. Also, don’t forget – a tree won’t grow well if it’s too close to things like walls and fences, which could make it weak and unsafe.
Tree Maintenance
Taking care of trees is not hard. It would be best if you watered them when they are new. Check for pests and diseases that can hurt the tree as they grow. Trees also need trimming from time to time.
This helps them grow in the right way and stay healthy. Do not cut too many branches at once, as it can harm the tree. Ensuring your trees get what they need will help them live long lives.
Taking good care of your trees also protects your house from damage by sick or weak trees.
15 Best Trees to Plant Near Your House
1. Flowering Dogwood
Considered one of the most beautiful ornamental trees, the Flowering Dogwood is an excellent addition to your house. With its stunning white or pink flowers in spring and red leaves in fall, it’s perfect for homeowners who want a tree that provides beauty throughout the year.
It grows moderately and reaches 20 to 30 feet high, making it ideal for residential landscapes. Its noninvasive root system makes it safe to plant closer to buildings without damaging the foundation.
Plus, it thrives well in various soil types with adequate sunlight while offering shade during hot summer. Due to its attractive features, this tree enhances aesthetic appeal and increases property value.
Features & Benefits
The Flowering Dogwood tree adds beauty all year round. It blooms in the spring and has bright leaves in the fall. In winter, it grows berries. This tree grows fast so that you can see results quickly.
You don’t need to work hard to keep this tree looking good. Birds and wildlife love dogwoods, too. These small trees won’t harm your house if they grow near it.
2. Paper Birch
The Paper Birch, or Betula papyrifera, is an incredible tree that adds beauty to your home with its unique peeling white bark and golden leaves in autumn. Ready to discover more about this magnificent tree? Keep reading!
Features & Benefits
The paper birch tree has a white bark that peels. This look can make your yard stand out. The tree does well in wet soil and gives cool shade in hot summer. This shade can help reduce air conditioning costs by keeping the house cooler.
Many birds and wild animals like this tree, too, add life to your garden area!
3. Colorado Blue Spruce
This robust and beautiful evergreen, the Colorado Blue Spruce, is an excellent home addition. Its distinctive blue-green needles and cone-shaped form provide natural shade all year round.
Features & Benefits
The Colorado Blue Spruce is a top pick for near houses. Its cool blue leaves stay green all year. This tree gives your yard beauty, even in winter! It can grow up to 75 feet tall and makes lots of shade.
The tree’s shape is like a pyramid with lots of leaves. With this tree around, your home will have more privacy! It can live in different soils, like clay or alkaline soils.
4. Magnolia
This stunning tree, the Magnolia (Magnolia dodecapetala), offers broad, evergreen leaves and large, fragrant flowers. Its fast growth rate and low maintenance needs make it an excellent choice for planting near your house.
The magnolia thrives in most soil types and creates fantastic visual appeal. Its beautiful white blooms attract birds and butterflies to your garden.
Features & Benefits
Magnolia trees are an excellent choice for your yard. They have big, white flowers that bloom in spring. These beautiful blooms draw many birds to them. This tree can give you lovely shade and coolness when the heat of summer rolls in.
The strong roots keep the dirt together, helping prevent soil from washing away during rains. It is also tough against bugs and disease, so that you won’t need many sprays or treatments!
5. Red Oak
The Red Oak, or Quercus Rubra, adds bold beauty to any property with its distinctive red fall foliage and swift growth rate. In our next section, we will discuss the comprehensive features of this robust tree and its appeal for home-adjacent planting.
Features & Benefits
Red Oak trees are great for your yard. Their wide tops provide lots of shade, and the leaves turn red in the fall, looking beautiful. Red Oak wood is solid and suitable for making floors and furniture.
Many kinds of animals live in these trees, too. So, you will see more birds and squirrels around your home. Plus, this tree grows well in many parts of North America!
6. Texas Redbud
This native Texan tree, known for its vibrant purplish-pink blooms, is a perfect addition to your home. With its drought tolerance and alkaline soil preference, the Texas Redbud is easy to maintain while adding color and charm to your landscape.
Its ornamental nature provides aesthetic appeal throughout the year, with lush green leaves following the spring bloom period. This tree’s size also makes it ideal for planting near houses, as it doesn’t grow huge, helping you avoid potential issues with roots or branches.
Remember to provide total sun exposure for maximum growth and bloom benefits.
Features & Benefits
The Texas Redbud tree has a lot going for it. Planting near your home is great because its roots won’t mess things up. This tree can handle hot weather and dry soil, so it’s cool if you forget to water it sometimes.
The best part is when spring comes around because this guy pops out pink flowers. Plus, having a cool-looking tree like this can increase your place’s worth!
7. Yaupon Holly
This native tree to the southern United States is renowned for its glossy leaves and vibrant red berries, making Yaupon Holly a picturesque addition to your yard. It’s not just about looks; this adaptable tree thrives in various soil types and can tolerate drought conditions, too.
The Yaupon Holly is a low-maintenance option requiring minimal pruning, making it perfect for those with busy lifestyles. It offers year-round color and privacy as an evergreen species, serving as an excellent boundary or hedge plant.
And don’t forget wildlife; birds love their berries! Embrace the beauty of nature by adding a Yaupon Holly near your house.
Features & Benefits
Yaupon Holly is a thorny tree that withstands shade, drought, and complex soils. Its roots do not harm your house’s foundation because they stay to themselves. The red berries it grows draw birds close.
If you look for privacy or need to block the wind, its thick leaves can help. It also fits in small yards near houses well without taking up too much space.
8. Tulip tree Tree
This majestic tree, recognized for its unique tulip-shaped leaves and vibrant springtime blooms, is an excellent choice for your yard. Learn more about the Tulip Tree’s fast growth rate and other benefits that make this tree a marvelous addition to your landscape.
Features & Benefits
The Tulip tree has many things to love. It grows very tall, up to 90 feet. It loves full sun and moist and well-drained soil. The leaves have exciting shapes and turn yellow in the fall.
This makes it pretty both now and when it’s cold outside. But take care where you plant this tree! Its enormous size could hurt your home or pipes under the ground if placed too close. Also, its fast growth might cause branch issues with nearby walls or roofs.
9. Japanese maple
The Japanese maple is one of the most artistically stunning trees you can plant near your house. This tree is renowned for its gorgeous fall foliage, which ranges from bright red to purple hues.
Don’t worry too much about root invasion. Japanese maples’ noninvasive root system makes them safe to plant near houses. Their moderate growth rate and small size make them perfect for those with limited space.
They thrive in full or partial shade and are adaptable to various soil conditions. They’re also surprisingly low maintenance, requiring minimal pruning each year. Plus, their unique twisted branches create an attractive silhouette even after the leaves drop off in winter!
Features & Benefits
Japanese Maples are an excellent choice for your home. These trees show off stunning colors in the fall. They like spots with some shade and soil that drains well. You’ll love how they add beauty to your yard! The tree grows slowly to medium speed and gets up to 25 feet tall when fully grown.
Best of all, Japanese Maples have roots that don’t cause damage. This makes them safe near house foundations or pipes under the ground.
10. Green Giant Arborvitae
This hardy evergreen shines in the world of trees with its rapid growth rate, towering height, and year-round privacy. Known scientifically as Thuja picea, ‘Green Giant,’ this Arborvitae stands tall against pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance choice for homeowners.
Its thick green foliage provides an excellent natural shade while acting as an effective windbreaker and noise barrier. Green Giant Arborvitae is suitable for every soil condition and only requires good sun exposure to reach its full potential – a perfect companion near your house!
Features & Benefits
The Green Giant Arborvitae is a great tree to have near your house. Its roots don’t cause harm, making it safe. It grows fast and can block the view from others. This tree stands up to bad weather like wind, snow, and ice.
It gives you a green wall all year long and helps reduce noise. With this tree, there are fewer bugs and diseases to worry about, so it’s easy to care for!
11. Crabapple
Dive into the world of Crabapple trees, known for their vibrant spring blossoms and fruit that attracts wildlife. Learn about their moderate growth rate, adaptability to various soil conditions, and the colorful display they add to your property.
Stay tuned for more on this popular choice!
Features & Benefits
Crabapple trees are great for your yard. They have dark pink and rose-pink flowers that make a pretty view. They can live in Texas without much water and don’t mind soils with lime.
Thick leaf coverage from these trees provides cool shade on sunny days and more privacy near your house. Crabapple trees do not grow roots that damage other things around them, so they’re safe to plant close to the house.
Your house will look better with a crabapple tree around it as well!
12. Emerald Green Arborvitae
This compact, evergreen tree is known for its dense growth and rich green color, making it an excellent option for privacy screens or windbreaks near your home.
Features & Benefits
Emerald Green Arborvitae is a great tree to plant near your house. It grows fast and keeps its beautiful green color all year round. This tall, slim tree is perfect for small yards.
You won’t have to worry about it taking up too much space. It’s also thick enough to give you privacy from neighbors or the street. So, if you want a pretty, easy-to-care-for tree with many benefits, choose Emerald Green Arborvitae!
13. Eastern Redbud
The Eastern Redbud, or Cercis Canadensis, is a small but magnificent tree for your home. It’s known for its vibrant pinkish-purple flowers, which bloom in early spring and provide an eye-catching splash of color against the still-dormant landscape.
Its heart-shaped leaves turn yellow in autumn, increasing its visual appeal throughout the year. In addition to its aesthetic charm, this tree thrives under full sun and partial shade, making it reasonably adaptable.
Also, it doesn’t grow too large, with a typical height between 20-30 feet, which can be perfect if you don’t have too much space around your house. However, remember to water them regularly as they prefer moist soil conditions.
Features & Benefits
The Eastern Redbud is a great tree. Its roots don’t cause trouble and can handle heat and no rain very well. In spring, it shows off pink-purple flowers. Its leaves are shaped like hearts.
This tree makes your home look much better; with it, your home’s price could increase by 15 percent.
14. Crape Myrtle
This vibrant tree, Crape Myrtle or Lagerstroemia indica, is a head-turner with dazzling summer flowers and stunning autumn foliage. Discover how this fast-growing and drought-resistant tree can enhance your landscape’s beauty.
Features & Benefits
Crape Myrtle trees are great for your yard. They have big, frilly pink, red, lavender, or white flowers. You will see these bright colors in the summer and fall. These trees also have good looks when leaves change color in the fall.
The roots of Crape Myrtle won’t harm your house because they aren’t invasive. This tree is thorny, too! It can handle hot weather, dry times, and soils with lots of lime without getting sick.
Some types, like the ‘Arapaho’ and ‘Catawba,’ fight off disease very well, so they stay healthy and pretty for a long time.
15. Dwarf Alberta Spruce
Dive into the world of Dwarf Alberta Spruce, an elegant, cone-shaped evergreen that makes a great addition to any house due to its slow growth rate and manageable size. This tree offers year-round color with its dense, bright-green needles, and it’s also deficient maintenance—no need for frequent pruning or shaping! With a root system that won’t threaten your home’s foundation, the Picea glauca is undoubtedly an intelligent choice for those seeking a rugged yet beautiful tree.
Features & Benefits
The Dwarf Alberta Spruce is an excellent tree to have near your house. It grows slowly and stays small. This tree has dark green leaves that stay all year long, making your yard look nice every season.
You do not need to cut or shape it often, so it’s easy to care for. Its roots are not deep so that they won’t harm your house, pavement, or underground pipes.
Tips on Growing Trees Near Your House
- Pick the right spot for your tree. Make sure it will have enough space to grow high and wide. You don’t want it too near your house or other trees. The good place is where the sun can hit most trees, not just one side.
- Always dig a hole two times wider than the pot but no more profound than its root ball. Place your new tree in its hole and cover it with soil halfway up its root ball. Water well so all air pockets leave the area around roots.
- Finish adding soil until level with the ground, then water again after planting.
- You must care for young trees until they take root and grow independently. Protect them from heavy winds using stakes and straps if needed, but remove these once strong roots are in place.
- Trees need water often in their first year of life, especially when it’s hot or dry outside. Yet be careful not to drown them—too much water can make a tree sick! If you see leaves starting to turn yellow, cut back on watering.
- Avoid putting bark mulch directly against the trunk as this may cause rotting over time while keeping grass away from the base because the blade mower can damage young bark skin, which is sensitive.
- Feeding trees with fertilizers in late winter or early spring helps them grow healthy and robust; however, read the instructions before applying any product!
- It’s also important to prune trees correctly when they’re young so they can form good shape as adult ones later in life: remove branches that cross each other, those that come off the main stem at less than a 45-degree angle (as weak), those pointing inward toward the center of the tree (as won’t get enough light) or rubbing each other (as causing wound).
- Learn how to prune correctly – cutting branches without hurting the rest of the plant – before attempting!
- Get help from pros if you are dealing with large, mature ones; if not handled correctly, they could pose risks for safety reasons.
- If you notice any sign of pests or disease, get a tree expert to check it out immediately! The sooner you act, the better your chances to save your tree’s life.
With these tips and love, your trees can thrive near your home!
The Bottom Line
Planting the suitable trees near your house can be a joy. The trees you pick add beauty, shade, and value to your home. Carefully picked trees are also good for the earth. Plant with care and enjoy a better home!
