The Best Front Yard Trees, by Andrew Bachman

The rings on this old oak tree in West Hartford told me it was planted 75 years ago, during World war 2, which means it lasted through a dozen presidents, and through hurricanes Gloria, and Bob, and the Snow-tober ice storm. 
All those years, this tree did its job.   It gave shade and a beauty.A gift of the highest order from the original owner when the house was built in 1943

Many of our front yard trees around town have disappeared or are near the end due to rot and disease. It’s time to consider replanting.   When we replant you should consider strong trees that endure the extreme, harsh weather events of New England and the rampant foreign diseases and bug infestations.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT TREE TO PLANT IN THE FRONT YARD
A chinese proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The second best time is now.”
Trees like this one are rapidly disappearing around town due to disease and advanced age.   Most of our trees were planted in the 1920’s thru 1950’s and are now at the end of their life cycle in a front yard.  Over the decades, the trees did their job, casting shade and supporting wildlife and giving natural architecture to the community.

If you want to retain your trees without accidents, have an arborist inspect them every 2 years for pruning needs. When their time comes, they should be replaced with strong wooded, pest resistant species.
       I want you to have the best advice.  I want you to find a strong tall tree that endures well through bad weather and is resistant to pests.

The trees I list below are my favorite trees that can last 100 or more years. Now it’s your turn to plant a tree.   Whatever happened to the rows of trees arching over the dappled shady avenues of West Hartford yesteryear?  Our colonial homes look cozy and classy when amongst leafy giants.   Let’s reestablish that look.
Now it’s your turn to plant a tree.
The world was in black and white back then, but now we can replant in Color….
Below, I list the best species of trees for surviving our weather events and our pests, based on my 20 years of experience.

As you read the tree names, you can look them up on google, or use this link below for pictures and descriptions. It’s called the “Tree Finder App”
Right click to open in a new window.    https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/search-trees/search-all-trees-and-plants

Key:  N=Native species  F= Foreign species

Classic ‘Shade’ Trees 50 – 80 ft:  (Storm-sturdy)

American Elm N , Chinese Zelkova Tree F (like an elmtree)

Sugar Maple N (new varieties) , Red Maple N (most common tree in U.S.)

American Sweet Gum N (under appreciated) , American Linden Tree N

White Oak Tree N (small acorns), or Shagbark Hickory  N (green nuts)

Trees with Medium Growth Size 30-45 ft:

American Yellowwood Tree N (under appreciated), Honey Locust Tree  N

‘Saucer’ Magnolia Tree N

Small Trees (15-30 ft): (blight resistant)

Canadian Redbud tree N (colorful varieties) , Flowering Crabapple F

Japanese Stewartia Tree F (abundant large flowers in summer)

‘Pagoda’ Dogwood Tree F (an underappreciated dogwood type)

My Favorite Evergreen Trees:

White ‘concolor’ Fir tree (aromatic and medicinal needles) N

Red Juniper Tree (Berries attract birds in winter ) N

Dawn Redwood Tree (magnificent and dramatic shape / form) N

Ornamental white pine (Stays small and able to shape when young) N

Use the “Tree Finder” below as an authoritative source. Print out my tree list, and use it while you search.
https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/search-trees/search-all-trees-and-plants

Remember, there is no danger from planting a new tree. None of the trees below will grow unwieldy enough in the next fifty years to cause a hazard.   The only danger is NOT planting a tree – the lack of shade on your house and lawn.   So, I invite you to choose a tall growing tree, not a small one.  

As the chinese proverb says, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The second best time is now

POTTED TREES ( 6-7 ft tall at time of planting)

You can find almost all of these trees at your local nursery in potted sizes, (6-7 ft tall) for between $200 and $350.00 for plant cost.
Potted Trees are grown from seed or small cuttings in a pot with potting mix and therefore can be lifted by 1 or 2 people into an van or truck to be transported. It’s possible for you to plant this tree. We can deliver and plant it for $650-850.00 inclusive of plant cost, delivery and installation.

BALLED AND BURLAP TREES (7-10 ft tall at planting time)

There are also larger, balled and burlap sizes (7-10 ft) available in tree nurseries and wholesale yards. The balled and burlap tree is dug out of the field and loaded into a burlap sack. It is therefore very heavy loaded with soil, and needs a professional to install it because it’s technical work. The Balled and Burlap trees are heavy enough to require a big pickup truck, a log dolly, and sometimes heavy equipment for delivery and planting . They can cost $850-1250.000 inclusive of plant cost, delivery and installation.

Trout Brook Landscaping delivers and plants potted trees and balled and burlap trees of all the types above. We can also source the trees for you from Pride’s Corner Tree Farm, Planter’s Choice Nursery, Moscarillo’s, and Stonehedge Garden Center.

When it’s time to replant, we can deliver any of the trees above in sizes from 6-12 feet tall.    Call us for a quote for either.    Happy tree hunting!  -Andrew Bachman CT Arborist S6222 (860) 888 – 8472 Office phone