Selecting Trees for Your Yard
Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) grow 3 to 20 feet tall and offer fine-texture foliage, rich color, interesting shapes, and a tolerance for some shade. Use them to adorn beds, pools, and lawns. Zones 5-8.
Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) is fast-growing and has small, white flowers in the spring and colorful foliage in the fall. Its pyramidal canopy reaches 30 to 45 feet at maturity. Early versions called Bradford tend to split in storms, so choose 'Aristocrat' or 'Chanticleer.' Zones 5-8.
Crabapple (Malus) grows 15 to 25 feet tall and is covered in spring with deep pink flower buds that become white blossoms. In turn, the flowers give way to small red or yellow apples that birds love. The tree spreads to an irregular shape. Zones 3-8.
Chinese dogwood.
Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa chinensis) has white spring flowers with pointed petals. Dangling, fleshy red fruits hang from its distinctly horizontal branches in fall. Zones 3-8.
Redbud (Cercis canadensis) bears tiny pinkish-purple flowers along its stems and bare branches in early spring. They give way to rows of wide heart-shape leaves. Pods become visible as leaves turn yellow in fall. Mature trees grow 25 to 30 feet tall. Zones 5-9.
Saucer magnolia (Magnolia soulangeana) is deciduous and grows up to 30 feet tall. It bears 6-inch-long, pale pink flowers early in spring. Zone 5-9.
Serviceberry.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier) is a tough and adaptable large shrub or small tree at 6 to 20 feet tall. Its early-spring clouds of white flowers become edible dark fruits by June. Yellowish-pink fall foliage entertains in a woodland setting or near a patio. Zones 2-9.
Weeping cherry.
Weeping cherry (Prunus) varieties typically grow 15 to 25 feet tall and spread as wide. They bear a blizzard of single or double flowers in pink or white. Zones 5-8.
Citrus trees.
Citrus (Citrus) trees bear lovely, fragrant, white flowers and edible fruits. These small trees easily deteriorate not sprayed properly. Zones 8-11.
Continued on page 3: Shade Trees
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