Landscaping with trees is one of the best ways to enhance your home’s beauty. Not only do trees provide shade and enhance soil quality but they also help reduce air pollutants. However, planting trees in Georgia can be tricky since not all trees thrive in our harsh southern climate. So Trees of Georgia has come up with a list of the best trees for your Georgia home’s landscaping.
Factors to Consider When Looking for Landscape Trees
Landscaping needs planning. Before rolling up your sleeves and picking up the shovel, you need to familiarize yourself with the desirable features of trees in Georgia to pick out the best ones for your landscaping. Here are some features for consideration:
- Roots: A tree with a deep, strong root structure can withstand strong winds and prevent soil erosion. It is also much easier to mow around and less likely to compete with turf grasses for water. However, bear in mind that poor location planning of trees can result in damage to your house. Aggressive root systems of some trees can interfere with your utility lines or home foundation. Also don’t forget, much of Georgia’s soil is that “Red Georgia Clay” we are famous for. Make sure the trees you choose can thrive in our soil.
- Heat tolerance: Summers in Georgia are long, hot, and humid. Therefore, it’s important to have trees that can survive, or even thrive, in scorching southern heat while providing you and your family with nice, big shades. In addition, consider accessibility to watering, you may want to look at species that are drought tolerant.
- Aesthetic appeal: Evergreen is ideal for those who seek for trees with nice form and look great throughout the whole year. Also, it is advisable to consider the whole lawn setting before choosing trees with strong, flashy colors that may clash with other plants in the landscape.
- Tree shapes: There are five different tree shapes, including rounded, oval, spreading, pyramidal, columnar, weeping, and vase. Many trees native to Georgia and the southeastern region have rounded, oval, and spreading forms. Whatever tree shapes that you may go with, make sure that they complement each other and blend in well with the existing trees in your yard.
Best Landscape Trees to Plant in Georgia
Below are some shade and ornamental trees that we think would look fantastic on your southern lawn.
Crepe Myrtle
There is a good reason why crepe myrtles are planted on almost every street in the South. Their brilliant colors are adored by many and the easy care makes them desirable. Plant them where there is a lot of sunlight as they thrive on it. Prune them in late winter or early spring before they break dormancy to promote flowering. Overall, crepe myrtles are relatively low-maintenance and they make a great addition to your home landscape.
Ginkgo
The ginkgo tree was brought to the United States in the 18th century by a plant collector named William Hamilton. The beautiful fan-shaped, yellow leaves and its hardiness are what makes this tree so unique. Ginkgo trees are dioecious, but make sure that you go with the male ones as they don’t bear fruits and give out the unpleasant odor.
Southern Live Oak
Southern live oak is the official state tree of Georgia. Most often found on postcards as the symbol of the South, the southern live oak trees are well-known for their iconic sprawling shape and far-reaching branches. Occasional pruning and a sufficient amount of irrigation do wonder for this type of tree. With proper care, a southern live oak can reach hundreds of years in age and become a long-standing staple of your family.
Chinese Pistache
Originate in Asia, the Chinese Pistache is hardy and heat-withstanding. It can grow up to 35 feet with height increase varies between 13 to 24 inches per year. Its deep-green, medium shade during summer is welcoming and its fiery shades during the fall are simply head-turning. Direct, unfiltered sunlight for at least 6 hours per day is ideal for the growth of this type of tree.
Redbud
Though there are different varieties, redbud trees are best known for their stunning flowers with magenta buds and vibrant lavender-pink petals. They love sunlight but prefer some shade during the summer. It is recommended to prune redbud trees after flowering or in late fall as they reach dormancy.
Need Help with Tree Trimming? We Got You!
At Trees of Georgia, we understand that keeping your trees healthy is not easy, and we’re here to help! As a licensed and insured tree services company, we have been serving our local community since 2007. Whether it’s tree trimming or removal, you can count on us to provide the best services at an affordable price.
For a free estimate, reach out to us today at (770) 882-4955 or by filling out the contact form on our website.