Best trees for your yard

After 20 years of homeownership and removing seven terrible trees from my yard at painful expense, I've become very particular about what goes in the ground. A good yard tree needs to do three things: provide shade, not destroy your property, and not bury you in cleanup work.

Here are 10 trees that actually earn their spot. Each one is available at most nurseries and works in a standard residential yard.

1. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

My number one pick for any yard, especially small yards. The 'Bloodgood' cultivar tops out at 15 to 20 feet, turns deep crimson in fall, and won't crack your sidewalk or clog your gutters.

Japanese Maples grow slowly, which means less pruning and fewer surprise branches. They're elegant year-round, even in winter when the branching structure is exposed. I have two in my front yard, both free transplants from a friend who was moving. They're the best trees on my property.

Zones: 5-8. In zone 9, give it afternoon shade.
Size: 15-25 feet tall, 15-20 feet wide.
Growth rate: Slow (6-12 inches/year).
Fall color: Red, crimson, orange, or gold depending on cultivar.

2. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

If you want shade fast, Red Maple delivers. It grows 2 to 3 feet per year and fills out a full canopy within 10 years. The fall color is spectacular. On some trees every leaf is a different shade of red, from pale pink to blood scarlet.

Red Maples tolerate wet soil better than most shade trees, which makes them useful in yards with drainage issues. The root system is moderate and generally doesn't lift sidewalks if you plant them 6+ feet from pavement.

Zones: 3-9.
Size: 40-60 feet tall, 30-50 feet wide.
Growth rate: Fast (2-3 feet/year).
Fall color: Red to scarlet. Unbeatable.

3. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

The classic American shade tree. Sugar Maples grow to 60-75 feet tall with a dense, rounded canopy that blocks serious sun. Fall color ranges from yellow to orange to brilliant red, often all on the same tree.

This is a long-term investment. Sugar Maples live 300+ years and grow about a foot per year. Not fast, but steady, and the shade quality is worth the wait. If you're staying in your house for a decade or more, plant one now.

Zones: 3-8. Doesn't love extreme heat.
Size: 60-75 feet tall, 40-50 feet wide.
Growth rate: Moderate (1-2 feet/year).
Fall color: Yellow, orange, red. All of them.

4. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

My neighbor, who runs a tree trimming company, recommends Ginkgo to everyone who asks. And he practices what he preaches. His front yard has a gorgeous specimen.

Ginkgo trees are essentially indestructible. They resist pests, diseases, pollution, drought, salt, and compacted soil. The fan-shaped leaves turn brilliant gold in fall and drop all at once, giving you one weekend of cleanup instead of two months of it.

Critical detail: Only plant male Ginkgo trees. Females produce fruit that smells like rotting butter. Most nurseries sell named male cultivars like 'Autumn Gold' or 'Princeton Sentry.' Ask before you buy.

Zones: 3-9.
Size: 50-80 feet tall, 30-40 feet wide.
Growth rate: Slow to moderate (1-2 feet/year).
Fall color: Brilliant gold.

5. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

The state tree of Louisiana, and one of the best trees for planting near sidewalks. Despite reaching 50-70 feet at maturity, its roots don't lift pavement the way other large trees do.

Bald Cypress handles wet soil, clay soil, and compacted urban soil without complaint. The feathery needles turn coppery red in fall before dropping. Even bare, the reddish-gray peeling bark looks good all winter.

Zones: 4-10.
Size: 50-70 feet tall, 20-30 feet wide.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast.
Fall color: Coppery red-brown.

6. Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)

Not to be confused with Siberian Elm (which is a weed tree). Chinese Elm has a graceful, rounded canopy, exfoliating bark that exposes orange and gray patches, and solid drought tolerance once established.

It grows moderately fast, reaching 40-50 feet with a 35-foot spread. The branching is strong, so you won't find limbs on your roof after every windstorm. It's on the approved street tree list in many California cities for good reason.

Zones: 5-9.
Size: 40-50 feet tall, 35-40 feet wide.
Growth rate: Moderate (2 feet/year).
Fall color: Yellow to reddish-purple.

7. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

A small tree (20-30 feet) that earns its space with one of the best spring flower shows of any yard tree. Magenta-pink blossoms cover the bare branches in early spring before the leaves emerge. It's stunning.

Redbuds work well as understory trees near larger shade trees, along property borders, or as a patio accent. The heart-shaped leaves are a nice texture all summer, and fall color is a decent yellow.

Zones: 4-9.
Size: 20-30 feet tall, 25-35 feet wide.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Fall color: Yellow.

8. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

I know, I know. I listed these as trees to avoid near sidewalks because of messiness. But in the right spot, with room to breathe, a crape myrtle is a solid small tree. Blooms all summer in white, pink, red, or purple.

The key is picking a variety bred for your climate (the 'Natchez' and 'Tuscarora' cultivars resist mildew well) and never committing "crape murder" by topping them. Let them grow naturally to 15-25 feet and they'll reward you with flowers from June through September.

Zones: 6-10.
Size: 15-25 feet tall, 10-15 feet wide.
Growth rate: Fast (2-3 feet/year).
Fall color: Orange, red.

9. White Oak (Quercus alba)

The grandfather of yard trees. White Oaks live 200-600 years, eventually spreading to 80 feet wide with a crown that provides some of the densest shade you'll find. This is not a tree for a small lot.

If you have a quarter acre or more and plan to stay in your home, a White Oak planted today will be the best tree on your street in 30 years and a neighborhood landmark in 100.

Zones: 3-9.
Size: 50-80 feet tall, 50-80 feet wide.
Growth rate: Slow to moderate (1-2 feet/year).
Fall color: Red to wine-purple.

10. Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum camphora)

In warm climates (zones 9-11), the Camphor tree is hard to beat for shade. It's evergreen, meaning year-round shade without the bare winter look. The glossy dark-green leaves are dense, and the tree grows into a broad, rounded shape that can shade an entire front yard.

Camphor trees are tough and drought-tolerant once established. They do drop leaves year-round (replacing old leaves with new ones), but in manageable amounts compared to deciduous trees.

Zones: 9-11.
Size: 40-60 feet tall, 40-60 feet wide.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast.
Fall color: Evergreen. No fall color needed.

How to pick the right one

Before you drive to the nursery, measure your yard. How far is the planting spot from your house, sidewalk, driveway, and property line? That measurement eliminates half your options right away.

• Small yards (under 3,000 sq ft): Japanese Maple, Eastern Redbud, Crape Myrtle
• Medium yards (3,000-8,000 sq ft): Chinese Elm, Ginkgo, Red Maple
• Large yards (8,000+ sq ft): Sugar Maple, White Oak, Bald Cypress
• Near sidewalks or driveways: See our full sidewalk tree guide

Check your USDA hardiness zone to make sure the tree survives your winters. Then go walk your neighborhood. The best trees will be obvious: full canopy, clean ground underneath, no cracked sidewalks, and the owner isn't outside cursing them.

That's the tree you want. Find out what it is, and plant one of your own. If you're looking for what to avoid, check the worst trees for your yard.