Grasslands punctuated with trees and shrubs - in nature, they’re called savannas, and they’re thought to be the original natural habitat of humankind.
No wonder the park-like combination of lawn and trees is so popular in landscaping! They remind us of our ancient origins and offer something absolutely breathtaking to look at.
But combining trees with turf takes some planning. You can’t plunk just any tree down into your lawn and expect it to work out well.
In this post, we’ll walk you through some of our top recommendations for the best shade trees and flowering trees for Georgia landscapes.
What is the Best Tree for a Lawn?
So what’s the best tree for a Georgia lawn? Unfortunately, that’s a lot like asking, “how long is a piece of string?”
The short answer is that it depends. Knowing what to look for, however, can help you narrow down the search at least a bit. Here are some features to consider when looking for the best trees to plant:
- Deep Roots: Shallow-rooted trees can be a pain to mow around, are more likely to compete with turf for water, and may topple more easily in a strong wind.
- Minimal Seed Broadcast: Your lawn is a fertile environment, and trees will take advantage of that. If you don’t want to deal with constant upstarts - meaning trees that pop up on their own - avoid trees that seed freely.
- Aesthetic Appeal: This is subjective, of course, but look for species that have a nice form in all seasons, interesting bark, and seasonal color.
- Longevity: Once established, a mature tree adds to your property value. Longer-lived trees are a better investment over time.
- Tidy Trees: All trees come with “baggage,” but we want to keep it to a minimum. Avoid those that are brittle, or are likely to drop a lot of twigs, branches, or messy fruit.
Best Trees For Lawns In Georgia
If you know your trees, you’ll soon realize that many popular shade and ornamental trees don’t make the cut, even though they might work great somewhere else.
For instance, river birch is beautiful, but it drops tiny limbs, twigs and leaves on a daily basis. Bradford pear is also a nice looking tree, but it’s prone to splitting.
And the ever-popular maple, despite its wonderfully reliable fall color, is definitely not on my list of best shade trees for lawns in our area. Maples are shallow rooted trees that consistently suffer sunscald and bark split in central and southern Georgia. It’s simply too hot for their comfort.
Here’s a pro tip: if you absolutely must plant maples anywhere in the Southeast, do so only in association with other trees, preferably in a location with late afternoon sun protection, and never in a parking lot island.)
With those blacklisted trees out of the way, let’s explore some better-suited alternatives.
What is the Best Shade Tree for Georgia?
So what is the best tree you can choose here in Georgia? Here are some great options:
Oak
It’s hard to beat an oak for permanence, beauty, and stability.
Hybrid Red Oaks are some of my favorites. The University of Georgia has developed a number of wonderful cultivars that are grown right here in-state by Select Trees and Bold Springs nurseries. They exhibit a nice pyramidal form early in life, and spread out a bit broader in maturity.
One notable variety is Bloodleaf, which has a gorgeous deep red fall color.
Live oak is another classic Southern shade tree that does well in lawns if you have the space. One problem with live oaks is that they spread so much there’s often not enough room for them in the average yard.
If you want to get around this issue, the Highrise cultivar is an exception. It has a more upright form that provides shade and foliage without the need for a 200’ diameter area.
Tupelo
Do you have a low-lying lawn with overly wet soil? It can be difficult to find trees that will grow in these conditions, but this native tree frequents swamp bottoms in the wild, and it thrives in wet soil. The name “tupelo” actually means, quite aptly, “swamp tree.”
The Wildfire cultivar has the most brilliant red fall color of any tree in the South and is often overlooked for its landscape potential.
Bold Springs Nursery does a beautiful job growing these versatile trees, too. We recently planted one just south of Atlanta on a high clay soil, and it’s doing fine.
Don’t be afraid of this one, even if your soil isn’t very wet!
Tulip Poplar
This is another commonly overlooked tree. It sports large leaves with a beautiful yellow fall color, and is a fast, upright grower.
Tulip poplar looks stunning in clusters of three and is especially well suited for rural or estate homes, where it makes an eye-catching border. It mixes nicely with Tupelo for an exciting splash of color in the fall landscape.
Princeton Elm
This is a classic, stately, large-leaved elm that doesn’t have the seed issues we see with some of the Chinese elms. This one is a fast grower with a much larger leaf, a nice oval head and yellow to gold fall color.
Gingko
I can’t say enough about the Gingko as a landscape tree. Gingko trees are beautiful and tidy, establish easily, and can handle just about any adverse condition you want to throw at them.
Not only that, but there is no better bright yellow than Gingko for the South.
This Asian tree is a slow grower, but it’s worth it. A note of caution - always buy your Gingko trees from a reputable grower, because you want male trees only.
The females produce a copious yearly harvest of fruit that smells like dog waste and vomit combined - not exactly the kind of thing you want to be famous for in your neighborhood.
Chinese Pistache
This is another tree that’s worth mentioning for its absolutely stunning fall color. The Chinese pistache is an Asian native that’s hardy - and tough as nails. It’s often used in xeriscaping because it’s so drought tolerant.
Its one drawback is that it’s not the prettiest tree during the growing season (it’s known as the “Ugly Duckling” of the tree world for this reason), so you’ll want to plant it alongside other trees where it won’t be the center of attention. Just wait, though, because it will start to steal the spotlight in autumn, when it transitions into its full colors.
Best Flowering Trees For Lawns
Now, you might not be satisfied by foliage alone - and that’s okay! Here in Georgia, there’s a tree for everyone. Let’s consider some of the best flowering trees for lawn so you can get some blossoming bonus points:
Sweetbay
A member of the magnolia family, this evergreen broadleaf is something of a bonus tree because it provides excellent shade as well as floral beauty.
The sweetbay is native to swamp areas but very adaptable to other soil conditions as well.
Not just prized for its flowers, its leaves are a beautiful medium-green color, with a beautiful silver color on the backside so it shimmers when the wind blows. The flower is wonderful to bring inside as a cut flower – in fact, it’s one of my favorites.
The sweetbay has one of the most incredible fragrances of any tree in the world. Its exquisite nighttime fragrance is lighter than that of the magnolia, with an elusive citrus tone.
I have fond memories of being a boy in the summertime - just as the sun was going down, I could smell the sweet bays and hear the whippoorwills. For many other people like me, this is a quintessential memory of growing up in the South.
Saucer Magnolia
The Saucer Magnolia is a charming tree that was once widely popular but has been somewhat overlooked in recent years. Today, there are several fantastic hybrid varieties available.
One of my favorites is Anne. This cultivar is more petite than the traditional Saucer Magnolia and boasts a deeper color.
I personally have an Alexandrina, which is known for its incredibly beautiful blooms, although it can bloom early and be susceptible to frost. Despite this, its stunning flowers make it worth the risk even if they only last a week.
White Dogwood
White Dogwood is the quintessential Southern understory tree, ideal for partially shaded areas. Among its numerous varieties, the Kousa dogwood stands out as a personal favorite.
Pink dogwoods are generally frowned upon by Southern horticultural purists unless used solely as an arboretum piece. Planting pink dogwoods might lead your Southern neighbors to question your taste.
Redbud
Redbuds are delicate blooming trees that thrive in both full sun and partial shade, making them an excellent alternative to dogwoods in sunnier areas.
Two recommended varieties are:
- 'Forest Pansy': This sun-tolerant variety features the typical pink blooms but with leaves that have a beautiful burgundy blush.
- White Redbuds: These varieties have green leaves and white blooms, providing a striking contrast.
Crepe Myrtle
Though often overused, Crepe Myrtle remains a dependable flowering small tree for full sun. It offers gorgeous foliage, stunning fall color, beautiful bark, and showstopping blooms.
Crepe Myrtles require full sun to thrive. In shaded areas, they become leggy and may not bloom. Another important detail to note is that, when pruning, you should never cut the top off or hack it with a chainsaw.
As for my favorite cultivars, you can't go wrong with Natchez or Sarah’s Favorite.
What Are the Best Fruit Trees for Georgia Landscapes?
While most homeowners will focus primarily on shade and flowering trees, don’t forget that fruit trees play an important role in adding personality and flair to your landscape, too. After all, Georgia is called the Peach State for a reason!
Here are some of my favorite fruit trees:
Peach Trees
Again, a reminder that Georgia is famously known as "The Peach State," and for good reason. Peach trees are a staple here, offering both aesthetic appeal and mouth watering fruit.
Varieties like Elberta and Belle of Georgia are particularly popular due to their resilience and exceptional flavor. Elberta peaches are known for their large size, vibrant yellow skin, and sweet, juicy taste. Belle of Georgia peaches, on the other hand, are characterized by their white flesh and delicate sweetness.
Both types are typically harvested in mid to late summer, providing a seasonal treat that can be enjoyed fresh, baked into pies, or even canned for later use.
Apple Trees
Apple trees might not be the first fruit that comes to mind when you think of Georgia, but certain varieties like Anna and Dorsett Golden are well-suited for the state's warm climate. Anna apples are a remarkable variety known for their early harvest, usually around late June.
They have a crisp texture and a tart flavor that mellows into sweetness as they ripen. Dorsett Golden apples are another excellent choice, offering a sweet, tropical flavor that is unique among apple varieties. Besides their productivity, these trees add visual appeal to any landscape with their fragrant spring blossoms and vibrant fall foliage.
Fig Trees
Fig trees such as Celeste and Brown Turkey are perfect for Georgia landscapes. These trees are relatively low-maintenance and produce sweet, delicious fruit.
Celeste figs, often referred to as "sugar figs," are small but incredibly sweet, making them ideal for eating fresh or using in desserts. Brown Turkey figs are larger and less sweet but are perfect for drying or making preserves.
Both varieties are hardy and can tolerate Georgia's hot summers, providing a reliable source of fresh fruit for many years (while also adding visual appeal and immense value to your property, if you ever decide to sell).
Pecan Trees
For those with a bit more space, pecan trees can be a great investment. Varieties like Desirable and Pawnee are known for their robust yield and quality nuts.
Desirable pecans are large and thin-shelled, making them easy to crack and enjoy. They are also known for their rich, buttery flavor, which makes them a favorite for baking and snacking.
Pawnee pecans are another excellent variety, offering early maturity and resistance to common pests and diseases. These trees require a bit more care and space but can provide a bountiful harvest that is well worth the effort.
Blueberry Bushes
While not technically trees, blueberry bushes like Rabbiteye varieties can be a fantastic addition to any landscape, which is why I find them to be worth mentioning on this list.
They are easy to grow and provide an abundance of fruit. Rabbiteye blueberries are particularly well-suited to Georgia's climate, offering heat tolerance and drought resistance. Varieties like Brightwell and Tifblue are popular choices, known for their large, sweet berries and extended harvest season.
Blueberry bushes also add ornamental value with their lovely white blossoms in spring and vibrant red foliage in fall.
Choosing The Best Trees For Your Lawn
While the trees listed above are excellent choices, many other suitable species are available for Southern lawns. The best choice for your yard will depend on factors such as soil type, sun exposure, available space, and your aesthetic preferences.
For expert advice on selecting the perfect trees to enhance your home and lawn, contact us . You can also call our East Dublin office at 478-272-3878 or our Macon office at 478-750-7733.
We’d be delighted to help!
