The Best Trees for Your Front Yard
Planting trees in the front yard of your home can add immense value to the property with very little work. Sprawling ornamental trees or perfectly pruned evergreens create dimension and incorporate color into the landscape.
Depending on where you live, certain trees will grow better than others. Consult with a professional landscape designer in your area to determine the best trees for your front yard.
Understanding Tree Hardiness Zones
All different types of plants and tree species flourish under specific conditions. For example, it’s unlikely that you’d see a towering palm tree swaying in the Minnesotan breeze, yet you will find thousands of them lining the streets of downtown Miami. The tree’s degree of hardiness determines its ability to thrive in one location over others.
Plant hardiness describes the ability of the plant or tree to survive under adverse climatic growing conditions. Specifically, the plant’s ability to tolerate heat, cold, drought, wind, flooding or other predations are all measurements of plant hardiness.
In the Midwest, most gardeners and landscapers look for trees within zones 4 and 5. Trees that fall within these zones are typically very hardy since the climate is cold for a more extended period during the year.
To determine the best trees and plants for your location’s zone, the United States Department of Agriculture created a helpful interactive plant hardiness zone map for the entire country.
The Best Trees for Your Front Yard
Once you understand the plant hardiness zone that your property falls into, the selection of the perfect front yard tree can begin. Often, homeowners opt for smaller, flowering, ornamental trees in the front of their homes to enhance curb appeal.
Ornamental trees are a fantastic option for the front yard because they grow out instead of up. The branches spread out above the lawn, and when the tree buds bloom, it is truly a sight to behold. There are quite a few ornamental tree options available within plant hardiness zones 4 and 5 to create a beautiful front yard landscape.
Ornamental Trees
Apple
Red Dogwood
Downy Serviceberry
Shade Trees
Shade trees are a fantastic option for families with small children who like to play in the front yard. Just like the name suggests, they cast more shade than smaller ornamental trees, making them the perfect refuge for an exhausted kid on a hot summer day.
Red Maple
River Birch
Ginkgo
Evergreen (Coniferous) Trees
If you prefer that your property has a little pop of color all year round, plant some coniferous trees. Also known as evergreen trees, since they never lose their “leaves” or needles, these are a great option, especially if you love to decorate around the holidays.
Coniferous trees also offer a secure and inviting habitat for adorable critters like birds and chipmunks. There are tons of different species of coniferous trees that thrive in zones 4 and 5, so consult with your local nursery if our picks don’t pique your interest.
Colorado Blue Spruce
American Arborvitae
Wrapping Up
Adding a tree or two to your front yard can increase your property value and your landscaping beauty. Sweeping branches of flourishing flowers create shade for you to sit back and enjoy the newfound nature in your front yard.
Ready to Start on Your Next Project?
Call us at (763) 568-7251 or visit our quote page.
Some people like to use the phrase "nature is healing." However, in some cases, nature can't heal itself alone. That's where we come in. Recently, a homeowner in Maple Grove, Minnesota reached out to KG Landscape after struggling to revitalize a back yard that was simply failing to thrive. Despite what seemed like ample sunlight and water, the turf suffered from numerous thin and bare patches that refused to improve. To determine exactly why they couldn't get this yard to flourish on its own, our client asked us to assess the yard and determine a plan that could reinstate the lush green lawn they expected for their Maple Grove home.
Seldom will you find a piece of landscaping less desirable than the unintentional water feature. That's why a recent client in St. Paul, Minnesota's Macalester-Groveland neighborhood reached out to KG Landscape. Poor drainage in their yard had begun to allow standing water to accumulate, which not only damaged the lawn but was also beginning to make its way into the home's foundation. Our assignment was to determine why this water was pooling where it was, then find a way to divert it to a safer outlet. In order to do so and to improve the health of this St. Paul lawn, our team developed a system of catch basins and underground drain pipes to capture and redirect rainwater. Additionally, we restored the damage standing water had done to the lawn with a full topdressing treatment combined with seed blankets in the most critical areas of the lawn. Upon completing the project, we successfully resolved the yard's drainage issues while also bolstering the health of the lawn.
Faced with tight constraints in a small Edina backyard, our team devised a solution that created a comfortable patio along with increased privacy for our client.
By employing double-pass aeration and overseeding, we were able to replenish a South Minneapolis lawn that had suffered years of neglect and was failing to thrive.
Learn why proper grading is essential before installing hardscapes and plantings. See how KG Landscape solved drainage challenges in St. Louis Park.
See how KG Landscape transformed a small St. Louis Park backyard into a functional outdoor living space with creative hardscape and planting solutions.
See how the team at KG Landscape created a beautiful new yard with a functional patio, updated landscaping, and improved curb appeal for a St. Louis Park, MN home.
Struggling with side yard water problems in Minneapolis–St. Paul? See when French drains or re-grading works best for small yard drainage fixes.
How French Drains Around Your Patio and Deck Footings Prevent Frost Heave Damage in Plymouth MN Clay
Protect your Plymouth patio and deck from frost heave damage and shifting by installing French drains that keep clay soil dry around hardscape and footings.
One Edina family had a 25-foot slope and nowhere for their kids to play. See how we turned it into a lawn, sport court, and fire pit.