Garden Guru’s Top 5 Trees for Spring

Top 5 Shade Trees

Sensation Maple Acer negundo ‘Sensation’ 

Fraxinus pennsylvanicus ‘Summit’ (‘Summit’ Ash): 50-80’H, 30-40’W. Drought-tolerant, very fast-growing uniform, oval tree with golden-yellow fall color.

Shademaster’ Honeylocust Gleditsia triaconthos ssp. inermis ‘Shademaster’
Height at Maturity: 40-50’H, 30-40’W. Drought-tolerant, fast-growing, graceful tree with thornless, spreading branches forming a rounded crown. Soft yellow fall color. Seedless (forms no pods).

Top 5 Ornamental Trees

Koelreutaria paniculata (Golden Rain Tree): 25-35’H, 15-30’W. Spreading branches are covered by yellow blooms in summer followed by “paper lantern” pods for fall and winter interest. High pH tolerance; excellent drought and wind resistance.

Malus species (Flowering Crab Apple)

Populus fremonti (Cottonless Cottonwood)

Pyrus calleryana (Flowering Pear)