Beautiful trees are abundant here in Tennessee, but not all trees are suited for our climate and soil — read on to find out which are the best trees to plant in Tennessee.
After we identify some of the best trees for Tennessee, we’ll also provide the answers for when to plant them and how to care for them after their planted.
Have you ever stopped and considered how unique a tree is? They possess size, strength, beauty, and usefulness all in one. Not only do they clean the air we breathe, but they also provide shade during the hot Tennessee summers and save energy costs. If you have the space in your yard, adding a tree is a great idea.
The moderate climate of Tennessee allows for many types of trees to thrive, so there is no shortage of tree types from which to choose. This article will provide you with some of the best trees to plant in Tennessee, when to plant them, and how to maintain them throughout the year.
Let’s dive in.
Classic Trees
These are the tried-and-true favorites of Tennesseans. They are known for their size, beauty and ease of caretaking. Here are the best trees to plant in Tennessee that have been around for ages.
Weeping Willow
The Weeping Willow is a majestic tree that grows about as tall as it does wide (30 to 40 feet). It is known for its long, draping branches that sway (or weep) in the breeze. You will need a lot of space for this tree to grow, but it provides excellent shade in the summer. However, do not plant this tree close to your house, septic tank, or other underground plumbing. Its roots look aggressively for water and could cause damage to your pipes. Planting the Weeping Willow near a natural source of water is ideal.
Planting: The best time to plant is in early fall when the weather is warm, and the autumn rains haven’t come yet.
Care: They love water, so it’s best if they are by a significant, standing-water source like a pond, river or lake. If planted in nutrient-rich soil, mature Weeping Willows require little fertilizer. Younger ones might need fertilizer, however.
Sycamore
Sycamores can grow upwards of 100 feet tall when fully mature. It blooms red flowers in the spring and bears fruit in the summer, attracting wildlife in the fall. They are drought-tolerant, have lovely white bark, love the sunshine, and boast large leaves. Sycamores grow at an astonishing rate of 2 feet per year and tend to steal sunshine, so it’s best to plant these giants away from other trees.
Planting: Spring and fall are the best times to plant — but anytime when the ground isn’t frozen or the temperature is not extremely hot is fine.
Care: Water generously when young and fertilize every other year if it’s not growing properly.
Red Maple
Red Maples are similar to other Maple trees but with slightly smaller leaves. They grow to be about 65 feet tall and provide excellent shade. With their bright red leaves that stick around all year, Red Maples are a beautiful tree and would be a spectacular addition to any yard.
Planting: Avoid freezing temperatures, but you can plant them in the spring or fall.
Care: They prefer moist soil but survive in dry conditions as long as they get slow, deep watering. Once the tree is established, put a layer of organic mulch around the base to moisten the soil.
Sugar Maple
The Sugar Maple is the most popular of the Maple tree family. They grow to about 80 feet high with a spread of 60 feet, providing excellent shade coverage. Sugar Maple trees produce delicious maple syrup and are easy to maintain.
Planting: Best planted in early fall.
Care: They prefer moist soil but can survive in drought conditions. Try to maintain moist soil around the tree.
New and Different
If you are looking for a different type of tree to plant, one of these might work. These are still some of the best trees to grow in Tennessee, just not as common.
Autumn Blaze Maple
A fast-growing tree, the Autumn Blaze Maple, gets up to 55 feet tall and 40 feet wide. It’s insect and disease-resistant, has tremendous foliage and, as its name suggests, displays impressive fall colors.
Arapaho Crepe Myrtle
The Arapaho Crepe Myrtle can be planted around other trees or bushes, sprouts true red summer blooms and has beautiful maroon-tinged foliage in the fall. This smaller tree grows to be about 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It is also resistant to disease and insects, has wondrous bright red leaves and blooms from spring to fall.
Thuja Green Giant
Also known as the Green Giant Arborvitae, the Thuja Green Giant provides year-round color and privacy. This beautiful tree is disease-resistant and insect-resistant, grows 3 to 5 feet per year to a maximum of 60 feet and grows tall but not very wide, taking up less space.
Final Thoughts
There you have it: the best trees to plant in Tennessee.
Planting trees in your yard has many benefits. They save energy costs by providing shade in the hot summer months and blocking cold winter winds. They also protect against flooding, add value to your property, reduce stress, and improve the environment. Trees are a beautiful addition to any house. What’s not to like about trees?
However, anything this great has its downside. To reap the benefits of trees, you must go through the arduous planting process. Planting trees can be pretty labor-intensive. If you want to leave the heavy lifting to the professionals, click the link below to book Turf Managers’ services. Planting trees can be a challenging task and requires a lot of preparation, design, planning, and proper tools to be done successfully.
The experts at Turf Managers have been planting trees and making yards in the Nashville area look spectacular for over 25 years. They will install your trees in a timely and aesthetically pleasing manner, saving you time and a ton of effort. Click the link below to book Turf Managers tree installation services or for any other project around your yard.
