Trees are beautiful additions to any landscaping design. Large shade trees and smaller ornamental trees both enhance your yard and boost curb appeal. If you’re interested in adding trees to your property, here are a few tips for deciding which ones work well. 

4 Tips for Choosing a Tree for Your Yard

1. Size and Shade

A large tree will look out of place in a small yard, while a small tree may not provide enough shade in a larger yard. Ornamental trees, such as Japanese maples, can grow from 3 feet to 20 feet tall and offer beautiful colors.

You should also consider the amount of shade you want in your yard. Shade trees tend to have dense, broad leaves that have rounded or vase-shaped canopies with plenty of space underneath. Choose among beech, maple, oak, sycamore, and others if shade is the goal.

2. Soil Type

Before selecting a tree, you should determine the type of soil in your yard. Some trees grow best in well-drained soil, while others require a lot of moisture. 

You should also consider the pH level of your soil since some trees prefer acidic soil while others prefer alkaline soil. Most trees do well in rich, moist soil that is slightly acidic, like magnolias or dogwoods, but other varieties prefer drier, alkaline ground. 

3. Deciduous or Coniferous

Deciduous trees are those that lose their leaves in the winter, while coniferous trees keep their leaves all year round. The type of tree you choose will depend on your landscaping preferences. 

If you desire privacy, conifers are ideal since they retain their foliage no matter the weather. If you love the changing colors and falling leaves in autumn, choose deciduous.

4. Maintenance

Some trees require regular pruning and shaping, while others require minimal maintenance. You should consider the amount of time and effort you're willing to put into maintaining your tree before making a decision.

When you are ready to spruce up your landscaping, head over to the tree farm at Glynn Young’s Landscaping & Nursery Center. Serving Lexington, KY, since 1988, the family-owned garden center offers more than 3,000 shade, flowering, and other trees from which to choose. They also provide gardening essentials like mulch, topsoil, and more. Their team of landscape designers is ready to help with your property. Call (859) 885-6100 for more on their landscaping services or visit them online for more on their tree farm.