Trees are an essential component for many landscapes. However, there are a lot of tree species and varieties out there, so choosing the right one for your yard can be a daunting task. Different shapes of trees offer unique benefits to the landscape; it’s important to ensure you’ve selected the right tree for the job before you get planting so that you can get the best value out of your investment. Here’s how to get started.  

Choosing the Right Tree for Your Landscape

There are three general shapes of trees that we’ll consider: ornamental, columnar, and tall. Each of these serve different purposes in the yard, so it’s important to evaluate your landscape thoroughly before you bring home a tree to plant.  

Take a look at your yard and think about what you want from a tree. Are you looking for sightline privacy? Or a tree to cool off your home in the summertime? Do you need to fill a space in your landscape and add some height to your garden? Perhaps you’re looking for a flowering tree to add colour to your space. Once you’ve decided what you need from a tree, you can choose the right one for you from the following categories.  

Ornamental Trees

These trees are typically small with a great deal of visual interest. They’re colourful and add lots of dimension to your space without overpowering it. Ornamental trees are a great idea for front yards, small backyards, or to fill out a landscaped corner of your yard. The size of ornamental trees ranges from 6 to 30 feet depending on the variety, making them extremely effective for sightline privacy. If you don’t want a tall, looming tree for privacy but also don’t want the neighbours peeking over the fence, an ornamental tree will do the trick nicely.  

For gorgeous colour and beauty, consider planting:

• Lilac
• Crabapple
• Saskatoon
• Early Gold Pear  
• Hawthorn

Columnar Trees

If you need something that won’t take up too much square footage but grows tall, columnar trees are perfect options! Asian White Birch trees are an excellent deciduous example, while Green Columnar Junipers are stunning evergreen trees that will give you gorgeous colour and dimension all year. You can also use columnar trees for privacy by planting them in staggered rows across a property line or along your fence.  

We recommend considering columnar trees such as:  

• Asian White Birch
• Green Columnar Juniper
• Lombardy Poplar
• Trembling Aspen
• Degroot’s Spire Cedar

Tall Trees

Tall trees are the best option for the ultimate shade and dynamic height in your yard! With towering canopies that will cast shade on your property, you may notice that your house stays cooler in the summer, and that your plants on the ground don’t scorch as easily in the blazing summer sun. If you have the space for a large tree, it’s definitely worth investing in; they’ll last for hundreds of years, and your yard will benefit from the shade and wind shelter. Keep in mind that these trees will grow into the ground as deep and wide as they grow tall, so make sure you plant them in a safe place that won’t lead to any foundation issues in the future!  

For great shade and height, consider planting:

• Manitoba Maple
• Cedar
• Laurel Leaf Willow
• Mountain Ash
• Blue Spruce

If you can picture your yard with some new trees, make your way to our Salisbury locations in St. Albert or Sherwood Park! We have plenty of trees for sale to elevate your yard for a stunning season and even increase your property value!