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If you’re interested in maintaining the curb appeal of your home, it’s a very good idea to plant some attractive trees in the front yard. Although flowers, rocks, and mulch can all play important roles when it comes to landscaping, you shouldn’t underestimate the value of trees. They have the ability to grab attention thanks to their increased height. Depending on the season, trees also show off different colors or eye-catching blooms that provide great visual appeal to the entire property.
Trees come with extra benefits such as fruit crops that encourage wildlife visits or the ability to increase the privacy of your home. Given the focus on the front yard, it might seem relatively easy to choose the right tree but it’s not simply a matter of selecting the showiest species of tree you can find. There are some factors to consider before making this decision. Trees that are too large can appear impressive but might cause issues later because their expanding roots can damage the foundation of the house.
Similar to any other plant, it’s important to remember that trees have some specific conditions that need to be met for them to thrive as expected. The front yard is usually the focal point of the home so it’s best to plant a tree that can grow reliably. Consider the climate, soil quality, and sunlight position of the yard before going ahead with any tree-planting project. Evergreens can be considered the safest choice for many homeowners because this type of tree won’t mess up the yard with fallen leaves and maintains its green shade throughout the year. However, deciduous trees are often more valuable for curb appeal considering the stunning fall leaf colors or spring blooms.
If you’re not sure about the best trees to add to your front yard, check out the following list that contains our top selections suitable for any kind of home.
1. Sugar Maple
With its blazing orange fall colors, the sugar maple represents a solid pick to make any front yard more aesthetically pleasing. The spreading canopy of this tree becomes most attractive in the fall season. Aside from its impressive looks, this tree is also recommended for its ability to grow quite tall at around 80 feet. That translates to great potential in terms of providing good shade to the yard. If you’re considering this tree to plant on your property, keep in mind that its root systems can damage septic tanks.
2. Crape Myrtle
If you live in the southern areas of the US, the crape myrtle is a top choice for a front yard tree. This is a beautiful tree that tolerates drought very well and doesn’t have particularly fussy growing requirements. It can be grown in northern regions of the country as well but the cold will affect the size reducing it to a shrub. If you want to take advantage of the full visual potential of crape myrtle’s flower clusters, it’s best to plant it in warmer climate conditions.
3. Magnolia
A blooming magnolia tree in the spring is quite the sight to behold. This is an ideal addition for anyone living in USDA zones 7 to 9 where magnolia thrives. The tree can improve curb appeal with its elegant pink blooms that release a pleasant fragrance. When it comes to magnolia types, there’s a considerable variety to choose from. Front yards are best decorated with small or evergreen cultivars. Magnolia stellata and grandiflora are some of the most popular choices. They’re fairly easy to grow and not as messy as other magnolia types.
4. Silk Tree
As long as you don’t mind its invasive tendencies, the silk tree represents a good tree for your front yard. It features vibrantly-colored powder-puff flowers that form an attractive combination together with the fern-like foliage. Silk trees can be successfully grown in USDA zones 6 to 9. However, it’s mainly recommended for colder areas because it doesn’t become so invasive. Known by its scientific name Albizia julibrissin, the silk tree attracts pollinators and spreads an aromatic fragrance when in bloom.
5. Dogwood
Available in both small and large varieties, dogwood trees shouldn’t be overlooked if you want to improve the curb appeal of the home. This tree works great if you choose to plant it in the front yard considering its brilliant spring blooms and reddish foliage in the fall. While it may not look as impressive in the winter, the dogwood tree’s horizontal branching pattern can still bring some notable visual appeal. It produces berries that attract birds to your yard. The tree can withstand different climate conditions as long as it’s grown within USDA zones 5 to 9.
6. Paper Birch
Not all trees rely on showy blooms to improve curb appeal. There are some good options out there if you prefer to focus more on the visual interest provided by the bark. A prime example is the paper birch tree whose white peeling bark is sure to make a great impression in any front yard. This tree is also recommended if you enjoy the beauty of fall foliage because it offers golden-yellow leaves that make it stand out in the yard.
7. Holly Tree
When you think of holly, the shrub will typically come to mind. However, there are some types like the American holly that are trees. What makes the holly tree a solid pick for the front yard? This plant provides lots of benefits aside from its vibrant evergreen look. Holly trees produce berries that are typically red and highly attractive to birds, especially in the winter season. The prickly foliage of this tree makes it a recommended option as a security hedge.
8. Green Giant Arborvitae
Some homeowners don’t have a lot of time to care for a tree. If that’s the case for you, perhaps getting a low-maintenance green giant arborvitae would be a smart choice. This is a stylish evergreen tree that grows pretty fast. It’s able to reach maximum heights of around 60 feet tall. Green giant arborvitaes are frequently used as hedge trees or to frame the house from either side. They feature a characteristic conical shape that lends itself well to the overall architectural style of a modern home.
9. Crabapple
With gorgeous spring flowers in a deep shade of pink, the crabapple can easily make a bold statement in any yard. It’s an attractive option for those who wish to bring more wildlife into their garden. Depending on the chosen cultivar, crabapple trees can have some more distinctive characteristics such as lighter- or darker-covered flowers. Some types of crabapples produce fruits whereas others are completely fruitless. Most mature trees reach a height of around 20 feet tall.
10. Beech
Beech trees are very appreciated for their colorful look in the fall. Some varieties like Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ show off coppery purple foliage that becomes more intensely reddish in the fall season. Aside from the color of the leaves, beeches are worth adding to the front yard because they’re sturdy trees that grow slowly yet steadily in many different conditions. The only notable requirement to ensure that a beech tree can thrive is good soil drainage. Thanks to its tendency to produce a dense canopy, this is an ideal shade tree.
11. Japanese Maple
When it comes to front-yard trees, the Japanese maple can be considered an excellent choice. It’s available in multiple varieties that can bring visual interest to your home. Even as the rich color of the leaves fades after the leaves drop in the fall, you can still admire the beauty of the tree’s branches covered with snow. Japanese maples don’t grow very fast but that might be an advantage to maintain the tree at a balanced size that suits the property. Among the best types of Japanese maple to try, we recommend Redleaf and Bloodgood.
12. Golden Chain Tree
Although it has some important drawbacks to be aware of, the golden chain tree can provide a unique appearance to the front yard. This spectacular tree doesn’t thrive easily even when grown within its narrow USDA hardiness range. It’s only recommended for gardening enthusiasts that put in extra effort to meet its fussy requirements. The tree grows optimally in cooler summers, needs full sunlight exposure, as well as rich soil that’s balanced in terms of drainage performance and moisture content. Golden chain trees have a relatively short blooming period but it might be worth it considering the showy appearance of the golden flower clusters.
13. Colorado Blue Spruce
The Colorado blue spruce offers year-round visual interest. It’s a reliable option for decorating the front yard because it’s very low maintenance. This type of evergreen tree boasts silvery foliage and brown winter buds. It’s a recommended tree choice for outdoor Christmas decorations but brings many other benefits as well. Most notably, the Colorado blue spruce works great as a windbreak and offers privacy when massed. This tree is a member of the pine family and features prickly needles with a characteristic fresh scent.
14. Weeping Cherry
Blending delicate spring flowers with a whimsical shape, the weeping cherry brings a fantasy air to any front yard. The unique cascading form provides great visual interest year-round. Weeping cherries are ornamental trees that aren’t grown for their fruits. They can be a little fussy in terms of growth requirements. It takes some more effort to get them properly established in a suitable environment but will likely flourish for years after that. Abundant sunlight encourages the production of more brilliant blooms.
15. Redbud Tree
An eye-catching feature of any yard, the redbud tree gives a pop of color to its surroundings when the vivid pink blooms appear in the spring. Even as the blossoms fade away, the tree still remains attractive with its foliage showing heart-shaped leaves. Redbuds are deciduous trees that often grow as much in width as they do in height. They’re recommended for climate zones 4 to 8 according to the USDA hardiness map. The only disadvantage of this ornamental tree is the susceptibility to diseases that gives a fairly short lifespan of just 20 years.
