These five trees will beautify yards this summer say, Pennsylvania-based tree experts.
5 Trees that Love the Pennsylvania Summers
Knowing that landscaping looks better with a few trees is a no-brainer. The problem is more often knowing what is the right tree for your yard. Here are five trees that are well adapted to the Pennsylvania climate.
Dogwood
The flowering dogwood does well in a wide variety of soil types and has beautiful white or pink blooms in the spring. This short and slender tree likes full sun but does well in dappled shade as it is normally an under-canopy tree in its natural habitat. It is a tree native to a good portion of the US, but should not be transplanted from the wild due to a couple of common tree diseases it can carry. It is best to purchase the tree from a nursery.
Fast Facts for the Dogwood:
- Sun exposure: Prefers sun to partial shade
- Soil Preference: Grows in a wide variety of soils
- Moisture Preference: Needs moist soil, not drought tolerant
- Notable Traits: White blooms in spring and reddish leaves in the fall
Silver Maple
This tall maple not only has lovely yellow leaves in the fall but has flowers in the spring and propeller seeds in the summer. It is fast growing to its top height of 50 + feet in around 10 years. It is often purchased for filling spaces quickly to create shade. The downside to this tree is that its quick growth makes its limbs slender and sometimes easily broken.
Fast Facts for the Silver Maple:
- Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun to partial shade
- Soil Preference: Grows in a wide variety of soils
- Moisture Preference: Prefers moist soil, but is somewhat drought tolerant and flood tolerant.
- Notable Traits: Green leaves with silvery undersides, fast growth, slender trunk and branches, and buds are a food source for wildlife.
Blue Spruce
This evergreen conifer grows in an elegant pyramidal shape common among this family of trees. Its needles have an unusual blue-green hue that gives it its name and it is a native tree of the Rocky Mountains. Though it is slow-growing, it will exceed 50 in height and has a spread close to 20 feet. They are dense and attract nesting birds and other wildlife into their branches.
Fast Facts for the Blue Spruce:
- Sun Preference: Full sun is the best for this tree.
- Soil Preference: It can survive in a wide variety of soils.
- Moisture Preference: Normal moisture and is drought and flood-tolerant
- Notable Traits: Unique blue-green needles, attractive to birds, can be planted in rows for a windbreak, hardy
Redbud
Named for the beautiful pink or purplish blooms that cover the branches in the spring and the reddish color of the newly budded leaves, the redbud is native to the North American continent. It grows up to 20 + feet and has an equally wide or slightly wider spread. Its flowers and seeds provide food for pollinators and wildlife. The leaves turn yellow in the fall.
Fast Facts for the Redbud:
- Sun Preference: Full sun
- Soil Preference: Grows in a variety of soils
- Moisture Preference: Prefers moist soil
- Notable Traits: Attractive blossoms that are good for bees and butterflies, graceful asymmetrical branches, and crown shape.
American Holly
This conical evergreen bush is known for its bright red berries. It is a good privacy and windbreak bush. There are many different cultivars and finding a variety that works best for your landscape should be a simple task.
Fast Facts for the American Holly:
- Sun Preference: Full sun
- Soil Preference: Acidic and well-drained
- Moisture Preference: Needs extra moisture when getting established
- Notable Traits: Bright red berries that brighten the winter landscape, broadleaf evergreen glossy leaves. Berries are attractive to birds.
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