Planting trees can be a great way to boost curb appeal, aesthetics and help improve our air quality. While there are hundreds of tree species to choose from, the Minnesota climate is very tough to ensure with bitter cold winters and hot, humid summers. Check out this list of some of the best varieties to plant on your property.
1. Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern red cedar trees are a native species of southeast Minnesota. They do well in areas on your property that receive a lot of sunlight and are well-drained. The roots of this species tend to spread far, so try not to plant them near other trees, landscape beds or structures.
2. Scots Pine
A very adaptable species, the Scots pine are an excellent addition to your yard as shade trees, windbreakers or accents. Since they tend to have a long lifespan, a Scots pine will be a constant part of your landscaping. These trees prefer well-drained soil and bright sunlight. Do not plant them anywhere prone to developing standing water.
3. White Fir
White firs are beautiful trees that will not litter your yard with fruit or leaves or pine needles. They tend to grow slowly and do not require a lot of maintenance. Over time, this species can grow to over 30 feet. It can outlast periods of heat and drought, so choose the white fir over the blue spruce for durability.
4. Bur Oak
Another natural Minnesotan species, the bur oak, grows slowly and enjoys plenty of sunshine. This long-living tree is an excellent option if you are looking for a shade tree for your property. You may also hear it called a mossycup oak because of the large acorns it drops in autumn.
5. Serviceberry
The serviceberry provides stunning visuals all year long for anyone looking for an ornamental tree perfect for landscaping. You can grow this species either as a shrub or a small tree, with some cultivars only growing as tall as 8 feet. Since they are tolerant to salt put down during the winter, these can be a good option near roads or parking lots.
6. Red Maple
The fall colors produced by red maple trees put on a lovely show during Minnesota autumns. They are a popular choice for landscapes because they grow well in most types of soil. However, red maples are not a good choice for areas that are treated with salt in the winter, so these are best to be planted far away from paved surfaces.
7. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo bilobas are a native tree of China but was brought to America hundreds of years ago. This species of tree is well-suited to urban areas because they tolerate poor growing conditions. Try to avoid planting female trees on your property or you will have to deal with smelly fruit they produce.
8. Northern White Cedar
The northern white cedar is not considered a cedar species by its scientific definition. Instead, this cypress species loves moist and cool soil conditions. If you are looking for a hedge tree, this species can grow excellently with partial shade. Deer love northern white cedar trees, so do not plant them near your home if you are not looking to attract wildlife.
9. River Birch
River birch are incredibly versatile trees, they can thrive in clay or sandy soil and in conditions that are wet with little drainage. Overall, the river birch is an extremely tolerant tree species since it even tolerates heat and full sun without issue. Many river birch are grown with 2-4 trunks which make this tree’s appearance to be truly unique compared to other native trees that boast only single trunks.
If you are looking to plant trees in your Minnesota property as part of a landscaping project, get in touch with the expert team at Peters’ Patio & Landscape, Inc. today!
