14 Front Yard Tree Favorites

A fast-growing red maple, ‘Sun Valley’ brings outstanding fall color to a front yard. It’s a reliable shade tree with good leafhopper resistance. A medium size tree, growth tops out at 20 to 25 feet. Why we love it: This is a male variety—you won’t deal with seeds.

Eye-catching red blooms appear in early spring, and hummingbirds flock to them. This tree is a perfect choice if you’re designing a wildlife garden. These trees can grow up to 30 feet tall, but usually occur in the 8- to 10-foot range with an open form. Why we love it: Red buckeye is as drought tolerant as it is pretty.

Tough and beautiful, this redbud has it all. Pink flowers appear before leaves in early spring, and brown seedpods take the spotlight in fall. Branches spread to give the tree a strong architectural appearance. Introduced by the Minnesota Arboretum, it’s hardy to Zone 4 and grows to 30 feet tall. Why we love it: It’s an unrivaled showpiece in early spring and will draw the envy of the neighborhood.

Called the lilac of the South, crape myrtle brings on the flower show with long bloom clusters that open in a rainbow of hues. The tree has a graceful, architectural branching that graces a front yard with strong lines.  Varieties grow from 4 to 11 feet tall. Why we love it: Peeling bark takes beauty over the top, creating a mottled looking trunk.