What To Consider Before Choosing The Right Tree For Your Front Yard

What is more picturesque than a stunning, healthy tree in your front yard? Perhaps it sprouts beautiful flowers, is home to a tire swing, lures birds to the porch, or maximizes your curb appeal. There are several reasons you may want a tree in your front yard, but with thousands of species, choosing the right one can be difficult. That is where board-certified master arborist and managing partner at Tree CheckUp, LLC., John Snow comes in. In an exclusive House Digest interview, we spoke to Snow to find out how to choose the right tree for your front yard. According to the expert, it depends on a couple of factors, including the tree's purpose and growing requirements.

You want a tree that can thrive in your area and meet your needs. Both are attainable to create a cohesive front garden with Snow's tips. He breaks down key questions to ask yourself when looking for the perfect front yard tree and a common mistake to avoid.

"Defining your tree's function in the landscape is the first key to finding the right tree," John Snow exclusively told House Digest. Do you want a tree primarily for privacy, decoration, or shade? A tree with a short canopy won't work if you want a cool spot to sit and read. Instead, you'll need to filter your search for large evergreens, like white pine or Douglas fir. Large evergreens are also great for privacy, since they offer ample coverage year-round. Deciduous trees won't be much help for privacy since their leaves shed in the fall, but they can be great if you just need shade from the summer sun. Further, there are several trees like magnolias or cherry blossoms that have pretty foliage, berries, and flowers if you want an ornamental look.

"Next, think about the growing conditions in your front yard," Snow said. You want the species to be compatible with the soil, sunlight, and water conditions in your outdoor space. "Too much or too little moisture can affect tree health," he continued. So consider if your front yard is well-drained or stays wet. He also said, "A tree will likely struggle without meeting its watering needs for the first few years while it gets established." If your area doesn't get sufficient rain, be prepared to water it consistently. Snow suggested conducting a soil test if you are unsure what type of soil you have in your front yard.

Size is also an important factor and one people often overlook. "One common mistake homeowners make is choosing a tree that ultimately can outgrow the location," John Snow exclusively told House Digest. To determine if a tree will be the right fit for your space, check its projected growth to know how tall and wide it will be. Snow suggested, "If your front yard is the size of a postage stamp, consider something other than a tree." There are bushes like shrub live oak and tri-color willow shrub that can give you that tree-like feel with its large spread or ornamental foliage, but won't outgrow your front yard. However, if your heart is set on a trunk with branches and leaves, there are also trees perfect for a small garden.

When looking for trees that fit your environment, remember that it's best to choose native plants. "Trees grown locally or in your region do better than trees sourced from different areas of the country," Snow shared. Planting native trees can also serve your local wildlife with food and shelter. They often require less fertilizer and watering because they are adapted to the environment. The trees add value to your property while bringing biodiversity to the region. If you keep the factors of purpose and growing conditions in mind, you can pick a tree for your front yard that flourishes and fulfills your wish list.