Every homeowner wants their house to be the best-looking one on the block. Not only is a well-landscaped front yard welcoming and inviting, but it also directly impacts the value of your property. Whether you’re looking to sell your home soon or just want to be the envy of the neighborhood, choosing the best trees to plant in front yard landscaping designs is a great place to start.

Today, we’re looking at the best trees for front yard curb appeal, what to consider when choosing, and giving you the inspiration you need to start planning your next project.

Choosing the Best Trees for Front Yard Curb Appeal

Before we dive into deciding which are the best trees for front yard curb appeal, let’s take a look at some considerations you should keep in mind as you choose:

• What size is my yard?
• Do I want to plant trees for privacy?
• When will my trees bloom?
• What other front yard landscaping ideas am I planning?
• Which trees will thrive in my area?

Of these questions, the most important is which trees will grow the best in your region. The United States is broken down into what are known as plant hardiness zones. Choosing the best trees to plant in Upstate NY will look different than those that would thrive in the dryer, hotter states like Arizona.

As you’re choosing the best trees for front yard curb appeal, also take into account opportunities for landscaping around trees and how that will boost your efforts, making your home look even better while adding to your property value.

Best Trees to Plant in Front Yards

Ready to start picking out the best trees for front yard curb appeal? We’ve put together a list of different kinds of trees to fit any look and maintenance level you want. When you start planning your front yard trees, be sure to consult local landscaping professionals for best practices for installation and care.

Some of our favorite trees for front yard curb appeal are:

• Blue spruce
• Saucer magnolia
• Weeping cherry trees
• Japanese maple trees
• Persian Ironwood
• Dogwood trees

Best Trees to Plant in Front Yards of Medium or Large Size

Yard size can be a determining factor in what the best trees for front yard curb appeal are. For medium to large size yards, there’s a bigger variety to choose from. Our recommendations are,

Blue Spruce

Starting our list of the best trees for front yard curb appeal is the blue spruce. Also called the Colorado spruce, this beautiful tree is an evergreen with horizontal branches and stiff needles. Its cone shape is iconic of evergreen trees, bringing a timeless look to your front yard with a green tree that won’t lose its form as the seasons change.

Ranging in size from medium (25-40 feet tall) to large (40+ feet tall), the blue spruce also offers a typical width of 10-20 feet. It does best in moist, well-drained soil and can thrive in both partial sun and full sun. This is a slower-growing tree, but one that will be beautiful as it continues to get larger. Some homeowners may choose to trim it into a neat, orderly shape to keep their front yards looking tidy.

Saucer Magnolia

Next on our list of the best trees for front yard curb appeal is the saucer magnolia. A cousin of the southern magnolia tree, these smaller tree varieties have low branches that produce fragrant, colorful blooms each year. The blooms are white with shades of pink and red, making them extremely appealing for your home.

Saucer magnolias prefer deep, moist, acidic soil to grow. They thrive best in full sun, so be mindful of their placement in your yard and how any potential shade moves across your yard during the day. The saucer magnolia grows at a medium rate, averaging 13”-24” each year until maturity. A fully-grown saucer magnolia may reach a small-to-medium tree size of 20 to 30 feet tall with a 25-foot canopy. 

This type of tree blooms in early spring, ranging from mid-February to April. It’s ideal for homeowners looking for the best trees for front yard curb appeal early in the year. It’s important to note that the thin bark of these trees leaves them prone to damage by lawnmowers and string trimmers for weeds (weed whackers), so take extra care when working around them.

Weeping Cherry Tree

With a dramatic weeping form, the weeping cherry tree comes in next on our list of the best trees for front yard curb appeal. Its spring blooms produce pink flowers as well as dark fruit. As an ornamental tree, however, this fruit should not be ingested by humans, though they are a favorite of birds and may function well for those hoping to attract wildlife.

Best planted in early spring or fall, these broadleaf, deciduous trees will grow to between 15 and 25 feet in height and require full sun. Well-drained, fertile soil is their favorite, and they are reasonably hardy against cold weather. If it looks to be a particularly cold winter in the Upstate NY area, however, you may consider winterizing it along with the rest of your landscaping.

The weeping cherry tree is very beautiful, however, it is prone to pests and disease. In particular, these species of trees are known for powdery mildew disease, which is a fungal disease that doesn’t cause harm to the tree but leaves it discolored.

Best Small Trees for Front Yard

If you’re working with limited yard space, every inch is precious. Our favorite picks for the best small trees for front yard curb appeal are below. These grow to a smaller height or have a smaller spread when it comes to branch width/length, making them perfect to save space while also creating shade and presence.

Japanese Maple Trees

Next up as we look at the best trees to plant in front yard landscaping is the Japanese maple. These low-maintenance trees come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and add a burst of color to your yard. They are relatively medium-speed growing trees and different varieties can range in size anywhere from 2 to 25 feet.

Popular trees for Upstate NY homes, the Japanese maple tree is prized for its leaves. They may come in green, red, or a combination of the two. During the fall seasons, their leaves change into a burst of reds, oranges, and yellows showing off their fall foliage.

During their first few years of growth, they may need a little extra attention, but generally, they are very easy to grow. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil with partial sunlight exposure. A very hardy tree, they thrive in the Capital Region, making them a popular choice for homeowners. Their size ranges also make them some of the best small trees for front yard curb appeal since they won’t overshadow the house itself.

Persian Ironwood

The Parrotia persica, known commonly as the Persian Ironwood, is a small, hardy tree that is resistant to both pests and diseases, making them easy to maintain. Their smaller size makes them another competitor for the best small trees for front yard curb appeal, especially in more urban areas.

The Persian Ironwood’s red leaves unfurl and change into green as the seasons progress. When fall comes back around, they shift into shades of oranges, reds, and yellows similar to the Japanese maple. As it continues to grow, it usually takes on a vase or round shape.

Persian Ironwood trees so well in full sun or partial shade. If your tree is in partial shade, its fall colors may be more muted than those in full sun. Acidic soil that drains well is ideal for this type of tree. Since the Japanese maple thrives in the same conditions, they may be an ideal pairing for homeowners who want two of the best trees for front yard curb appeal!

Dogwood Trees

Last, but not least, our list of the best trees for front yard curb appeal includes dogwood trees. Available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, dogwood trees are easy to grow and bring color to your front yard all year long. In the spring, they produce four-petal blooms that will last into the summer. In fall, their foliage turns to reds and oranges, followed by bright fruit in winter.

Growing only to an average height range of 20 feet, these are another option for homeowners considering the best small trees for front yard curb appeal. Like several other trees on our list, dogwoods prefer well-drained, acidic soil. While they can be planted in full sun, most do better when receiving a little protection from the sun by other larger trees.

Their hardiness allows them to survive deep freezes, making them ideal trees for Upstate NY homes. They’re relatively low-maintenance but may need occasional seasonal pruning to thrive. Like the weeping cherry tree, dogwoods are also susceptible to powdery mildew disease, though treatment with a fungicide may do the trick.

Finding the best trees for front yard curb appeal adds instant warmth and value to your home. Create a welcoming appearance and be the envy of the neighborhood while protecting your investment! Start planning your front yard tree installation now using the NVS Project Planner. Once you’ve finished, save the plans or submit them to us and one of our landscape professionals will be in contact to begin your vision to life.

Already have some trees presenting a challenge for your landscaping? Next, check out our guide on how to landscape around a tree with exposed roots.