Some trees are notoriously messy, others require constant care to keep them alive, and some are just unremarkable. And then there are the handful of trees that add both beauty and value to homes thanks to their easy maintenance schedule and major curb appeal. Think shady canopies, lush foliage, colorful blossoms, and manageable growth that make them easy to live with.
Here, landscaping experts share their picks for the best trees to make your yard more beautiful—and help boost your home’s value.
Meet Our Expert
W. Jim Cortese, veteran arborist, forestry consultant, and natural history enthusiast based in Knoxville, Tennessee
Related: 6 Trees You Should Never Plant in Your Yard, According to the Experts
01 of 05
White Oak
Credit: Getty Images
The mighty white oak is a slow grower but is a beautiful, tough, and hardy tree. Note that this tree does require ample space, as it can grow 50 to 100 feet tall.
“It provides great shade, is home to birds and wildlife, and can live to be over 100 years old,” says veteran arborist W. Jim Cortese. “It serves as a real anchor for landscaping, and in the fall its leaf color turns yellowish brown and rusty red.”
Cortese recommends planting this tree in the west or southwest side of your yard for proper sunlight, and he says you can mostly leave it alone for the first five years of growth until it’s established. “Then, elevate the branch level to at least eight to 12 feet off ground. From there, it requires minimal maintenance.”
Mature Height: 50 to 100 feet tall
Canopy Spread: 50 to 80 feet wide
Lifespan: 100 to 300+ years
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Coral Tree
Credit: Getty Images
The coral tree is a gorgeous option for smaller yards or spaces in warmer regions of the U.S. “This is a briefly deciduous tree that blooms red and orange flowers in spring and has a smooth, gray bark,” says Adam Kober, professional landscape architect. “The sculptural branching structure of these trees makes them living pieces of art during the day as well when lit at night.”
Kober says these trees grow best in areas with well-drained soil and lots of sun exposure. Also, he notes there are two options: the smaller version (Erythrina coralloides) and larger version (Erythrina caffra). The latter requires more maintenance and pruning to prevent it from becoming too large. If too big, “their branches can become weak and be susceptible to breakage in high winds,” he says.
Otherwise, they’re considered low-maintenance trees, with the smaller variety requiring very little pruning beyond removing any dead wood and maintaining its naturally sculptural silhouette.
Mature Height: 25 to 50 feet tall
Canopy Spread: 25 to 50 feet wide
Lifespan: 25 to 50+ years
03 of 05
Sugar Maple
Credit: Getty Images
The sugar maple dazzles year-round with its shady canopy, but Cortese says this tree puts on a real show in the fall when it flashes shades of red. It’s a somewhat slow-growing tree, he says—it grows one to two feet per year—but can live hundreds of years.
“I recommend growing it on the west or southwest sides of the yard,” Cortese says. “Another perk of this tree is that its maintenance is minimal.” It just requires light pruning to maintain its shape and remove damaged limbs.
Beyond its brilliant fall color, the sugar maple is quite stately, lending both structure and beauty to any landscape throughout the year. Its broad canopy also creates a natural focal point while providing generous shade for patios, lawns, and outdoor living spaces.
Mature Height: 60 to 75 feet tall
Canopy Spread: 40 to 50 feet wide
Lifespan: 100 to 300+ years
04 of 05
Native Dogwood
Credit: Getty Images
If you’re aiming for a smaller ornamental tree that adds value and beauty to your home, Cortese says this one’s a clear winner. In fact, he says it’s a friend to anyone’s yard and he personally has dozens of them. “The native dogwood is a magnificent spring bloomer with slightly cross-shaped white blossoms, with some varieties offering reddish and pink cultivars,” Cortese says. “Some folks plant one of each close together in the yard to get the best of both.”
This tree can grow in both sunny and shady spots, but it will produce more flowers in the sun. Maintenance is relatively low, Cortese says, requiring occasional pruning to remove dead or damaged branches. It will also need regular watering during dry periods, particularly while the tree is becoming established. During its younger years, Cortese recommends protecting the trunk.
Mature Height: 15 to 30 feet tall
Canopy Spread: 15 to 30 feet wide
Lifespan: 20 to 50+ years
05 of 05
Redbud
Credit: Getty Images
Not many trees elicit a slower stroll as people pass through the neighborhood, but the redbud does precisely that. “It is a star in the early spring when its pinkish-purple blooms break forth,” Cortese says, noting that their blooms arrive a little sooner than the dogwoods.
This pretty ornamental tree is smaller in stature than an oak or maple, making it a great addition to a narrow side yard or smaller space, in general. Cortese says it grows well in the sun, and looks especially beautiful when grown along borders of yards or woods.
“It needs light pruning during young years—ideally in winter—as it can develop co-dominant V-shaped branch splits,” he says. “Prune off one of the co-dominant stems when this happens.” Aside from early structural pruning, this ornamental tree requires very little maintenance once established.
Mature Height: 20 to 30 feet tall
Canopy Spread: 15 to 35 feet wide
Lifespan: 30 to 45+ years
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