The Best Trees for Backyards

Sweet Bay Magnolia

Sweet Bay Magnolia A Beautiful Addition to Your Garden Sweet Bay Magnolia Tree is elegantly shaped and will grow to a height of up to 20 feet and spread between 10 and 20 feet when it reaches full maturity. This particular tree grows at a steady rate of between 13 and 24 inches per year. It thrives in May through June. Most of these trees are multi-stemmed specimens. However, there are some single-trunk types out there. When it blooms, this glistening tree unveils lustrous, dark leaves with a silvery look. These frosted leaves will grow to a length between three and five inches. In late spring to early summer, creamy white flowers will develop. These are about two to three inches in diameter and let off a lemon scent. This highly fragrant tree is the perfect choice for a patio or backyard where you can enjoy the aroma it releases. How to Grow and Care for Sweet Bay Magnolia Trees Native to the eastern United States, Sweet Bay Magnolia will have smooth, green bark when it's young and mature to have dark gray bark. This deciduous tree will develop aggregate fruit. This fruit will be pickle-shaped and about two inches long. The fruit will start green, turn to light pink, then to a bright scarlet red when it's fully matured. This fruit will naturally split open to showcase its bright red seeds. This will attract many eye-catching wildlife, including quail, gray squirrels, turkey, blue jays, vireos, towhees, Northern flickers, and other songbirds. This compact tree's leaves will turn from a dark green to a breath-taking yellowish-brown tone to set the autumn mood during the fall season. Benefits of Planting Sweet Bay Magnolia in Your Landscape Part of the Magnoliaceae plant family, the Sweet Bay Magnolia Tree is an adorable tree that can be referred to as a Southern Sweetbay, Swampbay, White Bay, White Laural, Swamp Laurel, or Beaver Tree. This long-living and fast-growing tree supports an upright growth habit that demands respect. Its picturesque horizontal branches are adaptable to different growing conditions and can bring a necessary backdrop of luscious green intermingled with white blossoms to any landscaping design.

Muskogee Crepe Myrtle

Why Muskogee Crepe Myrtle is the Perfect Addition to Your Landscape Muskogee Crepe Myrtle is hardy in zones 7-9, grown in well-drained soil and full sun. It can achieve heights of 25' with a canopy of 15-20'. Individual cultivars have some variations on mature size; the famous "Muskogee" fits this description and is widely known for its beauty. Some cities have these trees lining the streets, and the sight is breathtaking when they bloom. These trees are indeed the quintessential tree of the south. As attractive as the flowers are, there is only one reason to plant Muskogee Crepe Myrtle. The foliage during the summer is a rich, glossy green, which is a perfect background for the magnificent blooms. But the show continues into autumn. The foliage bursts into vibrant shades of red and orange, so this tree is popular with homeowners. This tree continues to provide interest even into winter, as the bark in many cultivars is beautiful. The bark will peel in mature trees, a perfectly normal process for this tree. The trunk and branches take on different hues of color, making it a tree for all seasons. How to Care for and Grow Muskogee Crepe Myrtle in Your Garden This tree is easy to grow and grows rapidly. If planted in an area that allows for its eventual size, pruning is unnecessary and will allow for a showier bark pattern to emerge. It does best in lightly acid-to-acid soil; water needs are low to average once established. It does need to be planted in full sun. This is a homeowner's dream as it shows resistance to disease and drought. Even the gardener's nemesis, deer, doesn't find this tree very palatable, making this an attractive solution to the problem of uninvited guests devouring the landscape. Muskogee Crepe Myrtle Stunning Flowers and Year-Round Appeal Muskogee Crepe Myrtle can be featured as a focal point in a perennial garden. They are stunning when used in mass plantings such as street trees or lining a winding driveway. Equally at home in the front or backyard, they provide an all-season canvas of color to enjoy. These trees bring grace and beauty wherever planted in rural, suburban, or large cities.

Sugar Maple Tree

Why Sugar Maple Trees Are the Perfect Addition to Your Landscape Sugar Maple Trees are best known for their bright fall foliage and being the primary syrup source; they are native to the northeast United States. The deciduous type can reach heights of 80-115 feet tall, sometimes exceptionally reaching 148 feet. At ten years old, it usually is about 16 feet tall. When healthy, these can live for over 400 years. The leaves are deciduous, with up to 20 cm of length and equal width and five palmate lobes. They can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 3-8. The Acer saccharum prefers deep, acidic to slightly alkaline, and well-drained soil. It has moderate drought tolerance but prefers moist soil conditions. At maturity, the acer saccharum grows to 60-75 feet, with a crown of 40-50 feet. It has a slow to medium growth rate and increases in height anywhere from less than 12 inches to 24 inches per year. How to Plant and Care for Your Sugar Maple Tree It's both an ornamental and a shade type; it features a spreading canopy that can block sunlight while adding beauty and visual interest to landscaping. Full sun and partial shade are best for them, and they prefer at least four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily. The Benefits of Sugar Maple Trees Beauty Shade and Fall Color The sugar maple tree puts on quite a show in the fall, with beautiful leaves turning red, yellow, and burnt orange. In wildlife, they are commonly browsed by moose, white-tailed deer, and snowshoe hare. The seeds, twigs, leaves, and buds feed squirrels. Since it is fast-growing, easy to transplant, and has beautiful color, the sugar maple tree was a favorite type for streets and parks in the 19th century. Ultimately, it proved too delicate to continue in that role, but it is still great for commercial use in syrup production.

Red Crepe Myrtle

Why Red Crepe Myrtle is the Perfect Addition to Your Landscape Red Crepe Myrtle is a favorite among home gardeners who want to bring a dramatic pop of color into their yard. While several varieties are available in many different colors, the shrub is a favorite choice for those who want a beautiful, hardy, and low-maintenance tree. Growing and Caring for Red Crepe Myrtle: Tips for a Vibrant Garden The shrub is a fixture in the southern states but is recommended for growth in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 10. It was named for the crinkly, crepe-like appearance of its flowers, which bloom in early spring and continue throughout the summer in most areas. However, the bark of this tree is just as appealing as the flowers it produces. The bark can be light brown, orange, cream, or cinnamon-colored, giving this shrub its own appeal.   Red Crepe Myrtle is a hardy plant, which makes it a favored option among home gardeners and commercial landscape designers. It is resistant to high heat and tolerant of drought weather conditions. It can be purchased balled and burlap or bare root. It can also be transplanted from containers. They prefer loamy soils but can adapt to most soil types except excessively wet soil. They produce blooms without fertilizer but flourish with regular fertilizer applications. Red Crepe Myrtle Varieties: Stunning Blossoms and Year-Round Appeal One of the most attractive traits of the Red Crepe Myrtle is its versatility. It can be pruned into a shrub or a multi-stemmed tree. Because of its dramatic colors, it is often placed along driveways or around decks. It also makes a lovely specimen tree in any yard or garden. When used as a shrub, it can be used as a border or around entrances. Dwarf varieties can be used as ground cover for an unusual visual effect that adds appeal.