The addition of a tree to your front yard can make an enormous impact on curb appeal and provide beauty throughout the entire year. If you are looking for a tree that changes its look throughout the year shade, ornamental, and flowering crabapples are all excellent options. Depending on the size of your yard and the purpose of the area, there are thousands of options, so how do you choose?

Shade Trees

No other plant can provide the character and personality to your home like a Shade tree can. It is extremely important to put the right tree in the right location, as shade trees can grow very large in size. The right spot can provide a cooling assist to your home too! Shade trees typically have a spreading or large canopy or ‘crown’. They can provide beauty to your landscape and value to your property as well.

There is a large variety of shade trees fit for Northern Michigan climates. While some ornamental trees can also be considered ‘shade’ trees, shade trees are generally much larger and less ornate. No other plant can provide the character and personality to your home like a Shade tree can. It is extremely important to put the right tree in the right location, as shade trees can grow very large in size. The right spot can provide a cooling assist to your home too! Shade trees typically have a spreading or large canopy or ‘crown’. They can provide beauty to your landscape and value to your property as well. There is a large variety of shade trees fit for Northern Michigan climates. While some ornamental trees can also be considered ‘shade’ trees, shade trees are generally much larger and less ornate. Check out some examples below:

Ornamental Trees

An ornamental tree is one of the most popular ingredients to a beautiful landscape in Northern Michigan. Ornamental trees provide beauty through unique bark, colorful leaves, flowers, unusual branching, or stunning fall color. While most lose their leaves or flowers in our cold Michigan climate, they still add interest to a winter landscape with their color branches, interesting bark, and eye-catching shape.

Caring for ornamental trees really depends on the type of tree. They require regular pruning, water in dry spells, and fertilization to help them thrive. Certain varieties can experience fungus issues or insect issues, so reach out to an expert if your tree is struggling. Check out some examples below:

Flowering Crabapple Trees

Flowering crabapples are actually part of the ornamental tree group.  Their name indicates they flower and colors can vary from a deep red to a white in both single or double forms. Another neat thing about flowering crabs is that they come in a variety of shapes some weeping, some columnar, and some dwarf! They range in height from 10-20 feet, but unfortunately, many of the ‘old favorites’ are not disease resistant.

All crabapple varieties have fruit (like the little berries seen in the background here) and are usually quite messy to clean up in the fall! Flowering Crabapple trees are stunningly beautiful, but they do require a lot of care if you select varieties that are not disease and insect resistant. Be sure to consult an expert when selecting your tree. Flowering crabapple need very little pruning other than removing suckers and damaged branches. If you prune after June, the number of flowers and fruit will be dramatically decreased the following year.