Trees have a big impact on how your yard looks. Selecting the best trees for landscaping is important because they last a long time and change how your garden looks, feels and functions. To get long-lasting shade, structure, and natural beauty, choose the best trees to plant.

Your goals will tell you which tree is best. There are people who want strong shade and people who want bright colors. Certain people like native tree species because they grow naturally in the area. Others seek out low maintenance trees to cut down on the amount of time spent caring. No matter what you want, the right tree can make your yard healthy and friendlier. If you make a smart choice, your space will stay colorful all year long.

Our Top Tree Picks from TN Nursery

Here are some great options for making your yard look nice, stay simple, and last a long time. Each choice is easy to grow and works with different types of trees for landscaping, trees that don't need much care, or small landscape trees.

Virginia Pine Tree

People know the Virginia Pine Tree for its strength and slow growth. The plant stays green all year and looks good in simple yards. This tree is great for homes that need to be easy to take care of while still having strong structure. If you want a tough tree that looks good with other native tree species, this is a good choice.

Weeping Willow

With its long, flowing branches, the Weeping Willow gives open places a soft, moving feel. It grows quickly and has a calm, natural look. It looks great in wide fields and around ponds. People who want big, flowing shapes but don't want to put a lot of work into their trees should choose this one. It's a good choice for trees for landscaping.

Red Maple Tree

People love the Red Maple Tree because it grows quickly and turns bright red in the fall. It grows well in many types of soil and provides steady shade. If your garden needs color in the fall and shape in the summer, this tree is a great choice. When they want trusted, low maintenance trees, homeowners frequently choose it.

Dogwood Tree

There are soft flowers on dogwood trees in the spring, and there is soft color in the fall. Given that they don't need a lot of space, they work well in yards that are tight on space. These trees are great for making a space look nicer without taking over. If you're looking for pretty small trees for landscaping, these are a good choice.

River Birch

The bark of the River Birch tree peels off easily, and the tree grows very quickly. It looks beautiful near water and does well in wet soil. This tree looks good in natural, laid-back styles and helps keep yard ecosystems healthy. When expanding their collection of native tree species, many residents choose it.

Eastern Redbud

Early in the spring, the Eastern Redbud blooms with bright pink flowers that stand out right away. It grows well in small to medium-sized areas and looks nice without a lot of work. This tree is good for parks that want bright colors and steady growth. It's also good for people who want small trees for landscaping.

American Holly

The American Holly has dark green leaves year-round and bright red berries in winter. It works really well as a privacy screen or around natural edges. The tree grows slowly and doesn't need much shape, so it's a good choice for people who want trees for landscaping that look good all year.

Seasonal Interest Trees That Shine Year-Round

Sugar Maple

The Sugar Maple stands out because of its bright fall colors and thick summer shade. It is often used in settings that need color and movement because its leaves change in beautiful ways. It grows slowly and does well in a variety of soils. A lot of people choose it when they want a strong native tree species and reliable seasonal color.

Magnolia Tree

In the spring, magnolias have big flowers, and in the summer, their leaves are shiny. They look nice even when it's hot outside, and they don't need much work to keep their shape. This tree is a calm and standard choice for yards that want to look nice for a long time. A lot of people like how slowly it grows, making it a good choice for people who want a tree that doesn't need much care but has beautiful flowers.

Spruce Tree

Even though it's cold outside, spruce trees stay green all winter, which keeps your yard alive. They keep their shape as they grow, which gives your yard shape and height. This tree is strong, doesn't need much care, and looks great along edges. It works well for people who want organized trees for their gardening that provide shade and color all year.

Serviceberry Tree

This plant has white flowers in the spring and red or orange leaves in the fall. Because birds love its small summer berries, it's a fun plant to have in any yard. It is simple to take care of and fits well in small areas. It's often picked as one of the best small trees for landscaping because of how big it is.

Black Gum Tree

Black gum grows slowly but becomes beautiful over time. It gives any scene depth and turns bright red in the fall. This tree is strong and can handle all kinds of weather. Many people like how natural it looks and how slowly it grows. This makes it a good choice for yards that want to use native trees that will be valuable in the long run.

Maintenance Tips for the Best Trees

Your trees will stay strong and healthy if you take good care of them. These tips help trees that don't need much care, small trees for gardening, trees for landscaping, and local tree types.

Slowly and deeply water

Roots get strong and deep when you water them slowly. At first, young trees need more water, but many of them are easy to take care of once they get used to it. This works great for people who want to choose trees that don't need much care and want to water them less often over time.

Protect the base with mulch

Some mulch on top of the dirt keeps it wet and keeps bugs away. It also keeps roots safe in hot and cold weather. This is a good habit to get into if you want to keep your gardening trees healthy, especially when it's hot outside.

Cut back once a year

Light trimming forms the tree and gets rid of weak parts. It keeps the tree healthy and evens out its growth. This is a good way to take care of small trees for gardening so they don't grow unevenly or too big for their spot.

Use compost to make soil better

Trees stay strong all year when the dirt is healthy. Adding garbage once a year helps plants grow naturally and makes the nutrients better. This is an easy way to take care of native tree types that already do well in the land where they live.

Keep pets away from young trees.

Deer and mice may come to new trees. Young bark and twigs can be kept safe with guards or small fences. With this step, you can help all of your new trees grow well, especially in wide yards.

Benefits of trees for landscaping

By selecting the best trees for landscaping , these points show how they can change the look of your house and garden.

Green Shade and Comfort

When you landscape with the right plants, you can create cool, shady places that make being outside more fun. People who plant the right trees can enjoy cooler temps around their patios and paths.

Better health and cleaner air

Trees clean the air by taking in pollution and giving off oxygen. The quality of your setting will be better if you choose the best trees for landscaping. You can plant these trees with your family because of this.

Increased Property Value

When trees are healthy and look good, they make the garden look full and friendly. The best trees for gardening can raise the value of your home, which makes them some of the best trees to plant for long-term gains.

Habitat for Wildlife

Trees are safe places for birds, bugs, and small animals to live. Picking the right plants for your yard will help the wildlife in the area. For a healthy environment, these are the best trees to plant.

Appealing to the eye

All year long, trees add shape, color, and movement. If you want your yard to look nice all year, use the best trees for gardening. A lot of people think they are the most beautiful and useful trees to grow.

FAQ

What is the best tree for landscaping?

It has to do with what you need. Red Maple, Dogwood, and Magnolia are all popular picks.

Which trees are best for landscaping?

People often say to plant strong, flexible trees like Virginia Pine, Weeping Willow, and River Birch.

How do you select plants for landscaping?

Plan for room, sunshine, soil type and how you like to take care of plants. Pick plants that will do well in your area.

Why are trees important to nature?

They cool the air, protect the land, keep animals safe, and clean the air.

Where can I order best trees for landscaping online?

Online stores you can trust, like TN Nursery, sell varieties like Red Maple, Virginia Pine and Weeping Willow.

Tammy Sons, Horticulture Expert

Written by Tammy Sons

Tammy Sons is a horticulture expert and the CEO of TN Nursery, specializing in native plants, perennials, ferns, and sustainable gardening. With more than 35 years of hands-on growing experience, she has helped gardeners and restoration teams across the country build thriving, pollinator-friendly landscapes.

Learn more about Tammy →