There are few things more enjoyable than sitting outside in the dappled shade under the perfect tree on a hot, sunny day. Add a book and a cold drink, or an old fashioned tire swing or hammock, and you have summer perfection.
Trees are all around us. But are you aware that mature trees add value to your home whenever you might choose to sell it? The right trees appeal to buyers by adding much desired curb appeal, framing your home in an aesthetically pleasing way.
Studies have also shown that trees can add 10% to 20% to the resale value of your home. Studies have even found that mature trees can reduce the time your home spends on the market! So maybe planting a tree would be a great activity to do together this Father’s Day if it’s something you’ve been considering.
However, finding the best tree for your yard can feel a bit daunting, especially since it can take years before you can tell if it was the right choice or not. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Assess your needs
By now, if you’ve been living in your home for a while, you know what works, what doesn’t, and what you’d like to change. The same goes for your yard.
While no one likes to see a mature tree cut down, sometimes it has to be done. If a tree is struggling to fill out its canopy in spring and is losing large branches in storms, chances are it has reached the end of its lifespan. If a tree is growing right next to your house, then it definitely has to go. Not only does the root system put pressure on your foundation, but the constantly moving branches will damage your siding and roof.
Now stand back and stare at the front yard from the street. Do you have a front lawn unmarred by a single bush, stretching out like a swathe of green AstroTurf to your front door? Then you’re in need of a tree.
The rule of thumb is plant a large tree centered approximately with the living room window, closer to the boulevard. The area closest to the house is better for smaller, more decorative trees or bushes. If there’s already a city-planted boulevard tree, set a smaller tree back from that and off to the side to create balance between the two. If your street lacks boulevard trees, you can contact the city and ask them to plant some.
Now go stand in the backyard. Is it a blazing inferno that melts anything left out on the patio? Then you can probably benefit from a shade tree or two back there. Assess where it would serve you best. If you want some mid-afternoon shade on your patio, plant a tree in a spot where it will cast its shadow where you want it to, depending on the direction of the sun at that time of day.
Before you dig
Before you put your spade in the ground, call before you dig! Or, more conveniently, click! Every year, homeowners in Manitoba damage buried utility lines on their property resulting in costly repairs, injuries and even deaths. Whether you’re planting a tree or putting in a fence or deck, you want to make sure you’re not going to cut into something dangerous. Get started at clickbeforeyoudigmb.com or call 1-800-940-3447. You need to contact them at least three full business days before you get started.
Trees best for shade
If you have an average-sized yard, and you’re scorching in summer while trying to do yard work, you need a shade tree. Maples are great for this.
The Autumn Blaze Maple is one great option. They need minimal upkeep and grow to approximately 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide. They prefer to grow in average to wet conditions, so they’ll even tolerate some standing water. In the fall, they put on an amazing show of red leaves, but most importantly, they grow very quickly so you’ll see results within a few years.
Sugar Maples are another great option. It’s possibly the best shade tree for fall colours. This is a slower growing tree, but grows to 60 feet tall and 50 feet wide. It’s a legacy tree that will live for over 100 years.
Bur Oak are the only oak trees that will grow in Manitoba as it’s the hardiest of all of them. It’s wide-spreading canopy creates outstanding shade cover, but it’s best suited to a larger yard as it can spread up to 80 feet and grow just as tall. It’s a slow-grower, but because of that, can live up to 300 years!
When you’re looking for privacy
Fences create privacy, but if your neighbour’s home is so close that they can look at you while you lounge on your deck or see into your second-storey windows, then a tree can help add additional barriers.
Colorado Blue Spruce trees are a coniferous tree with a pretty blue-green tinge that provides privacy year round. They grow up to 75 feet tall and have a spread of 10 to 20 feet. They can endure our harsh Manitoba winters, and can be pruned to create a canopy or the lower branches can be left to provide privacy. The drawback is that they’re slow growing.
A faster-growing option are Tower Poplar. This is a narrow but tall tree, ideal as a privacy screen, but it also makes a great sound barrier or accent tree. It’s seedless, disease resistant and adaptable to different growing conditions. It spreads to about 10 feet but can grow up to an impressive 60 feet tall.
When you have a tiny yard
Smaller yards can be easily overwhelmed by too many trees, so they require a bit more planning. You don’t want the trees take over and crowd you out!
Lilac trees are the go-to for a small yard. They’re easy to prune to maintain a smaller size, and the bonus are the fancy flowers in spring that give off an intoxicating scent. Lilac need regular pruning to maintain their shape and the size you want, or left alone they can reach up to 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide. But if you also want privacy, then let them grow!
Amur maples are another solid option. They’re among the hardiest of all maples, with incredible fall colours, making it one of the best accent trees for limited spaces. These low-maintenance trees spread to about 20 feet by 20 feet. There are many different varieties to choose from, and are medium growers
Another alternative is the Hawthorne. The Snowbird and the Toba were both bred in Morden. While the Snowbird has pretty clusters of white flowers, the Toba has pink. Both grow to only 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide, but the Snowbird is considered hardier.
The Mountain Ash is another great option for smaller yards. It’s a hardy accent tree that features pretty clusters of white flowers in spring followed by bright berries lasting into winter. There are many varieties to choose from and grow up to 30 feet tall.
When you have a huge yard
Those who are lucky enough to have huge yards can choose larger trees for their space. These majestic trees make your yard feel like a park, but keep in mind that they require more upkeep than others.
Okanese Poplar is a great choice for big yards. They can tolerate extreme cold and are soil and moisture tolerant, while being disease resistant. They’re also fast growing, from between 3 to 5 feet per year. They grow up to 60 feet tall and spread about 40 feet, and should be planted at least 50 feet from your foundation. They’re also a great shelterbelt choice.
A positively massive, wide-spreading choice is the Plains Cottonwood. It’s extremely fast growing, adaptable to all conditions and tolerates urban pollution. Its roots can be aggressive, so don’t plant this too close to a house. But growing to 90 feet tall and 70 feet wide, its a real showstopper.
Still unsure about where to start? Consult a garden centre or professional landscaper to help you get a better idea of what could work for your yard. And then, whenever you’re ready to sell your home with its thoughtfully curated trees, a REALTOR® will be able to help you get top dollar for it.