Tree experts share information about lovely trees that will brighten your yard.
Native Trees with Magnificent Curb Appeal
One of the best ways to increase the attractiveness of a home is to improve the landscaping. Trees provide beauty for years with much less attention needed than for a traditional garden of flowering plants or the like. Here are three beautiful trees that will be a great addition to any yard. Ask your friendly tree service professional what might be a good choice for your property.
1. American Dogwood
The beautiful American dogwood tree has long been a favorite among landscapers for its beautiful blooms, impressive fall foliage, and bird-attracting fruit. They are great choices for smaller yards due to their slow growth and preference for partial shade.
The Dogwood Profile:
- Seasonal Beauty: The dogwood has beauty for all seasons including white or pink four-petaled flowers around Easter, red berries in summer, and reddish leaves in fall.
- Sun Preferences: Dogwoods are understory trees in their normal forest habitat. This means they prefer partial sun to partial shade.
- Soil Preferences: These trees prefer acidic soil that is loose and moist. Although they do tolerate drier soils.
- Weaknesses: Dogwoods are susceptible to certain kinds of borers and some fungi.
2. The American Fringe Tree: Old Man’s Beard
This tree’s apt nickname comes from the feathery flowers that adorn it in late spring. It will surely make a conversation piece for a neighborhood gathering. Like the American dogwood, the fringe tree is often an understory tree. It is a fairly short tree, usually growing between 12 and 20 feet at its tallest, which makes it nice for urban and suburban yards. The tree’s leaves turn yellow in the fall and its fruit is very pleasing to wildlife.
The White Fringe Tree Profile:
- Conversational Flowers: The feathery white blossoms that come out later than many other blooms are certain to draw the eye and add to the curb appeal of any home. They are also fragrant flowers.
- Wildlife Gathering Place: The fringe tree has dark blue fruit that draws birds and other types of wildlife.
- Sun Preferences: This tree prefers full sun to partial sun and blooms better with more sun exposure.
- Soil Preferences: The fringe tree is fairly versatile and tolerates drought and clay-like soil. Though these more arid conditions may make the tree more susceptible to disease.
- Weaknesses: The Emerald Ash Borer is a particular enemy.
3. Red Maple
This tree is the most prevalent deciduous tree on the continent, which means it is highly tolerant of many different soil types and is a hardy tree in general. Maples have a long lifespan and can grow very tall in full sun. This is something to consider if you have limited space, the red maple is not for small spaces. It is well suited to areas with cold winters. It also has beautiful leaves in the fall and offers fantastic shade when it is mature.
The Red Maple Profile:
- Traditional Fall Foliage: Maples are known for their beautiful fall colors which are wide-ranging from yellow to red. One hybrid of this tree is called the autumn blaze maple. The colors are fiery and bright.
- Wildlife Nourisher: The maple bears a fruit that squirrels and birds are fond of. Deer and rabbits eat the new spring growth.
- Sun preferences: This tree prefers full sun to reach its full growth potential.
- Soil Preferences: The red maple does well in a wide range of soil types. This is evidenced by its wide range.
- Weaknesses: It is not as drought tolerant as one might expect, and like most trees is somewhat susceptible to certain diseases and borers.
About Greater Pitt Tree Service
For more than a quarter-century, Greater Pitt Tree Service has been providing tree health care and tree removal for the Greater Pittsburgh, PA area. We are a tree service company that puts our customers first and makes your tree health a priority. Call today for a consultation or tree risk assessment.