Landscape trees are an investment you will be living with for a long time. Careful consideration in the planning stage will assure you of a lovely tree that will grace your lawn for many years.

When planning your lawnscape, consider the size of the tree in maturity (40’ + in height by 20’ + in width for conifers). A transplanted tree takes two to three years to re-establish itself. After that it will grow appoximately 12” a year if given good care. It is also important to consider the type of soil, wind and sun exposure and proximity to harmful pollutants. The look, color, and texture of the tree are also key to establishing an attractive landscape.

None of the conifers do well if planted in sites where they are subjected to long periods of standing water or continuous wet soil.

The following information will help you make the right choice for your site.

Balsam firs are native to the northern forest. They are relatively pest resistant and can tolerate part shade. They have short, soft needles in a medium green color. They exude a wonderful aroma when a needle is crushed.

This is a member of the Balsam family, but is native to the Appalachian mountains. It has adapted well to growing in our area. The dark green foliage is dense with a blue color on the underside of the needles which flashes in the wind. It prefers a well-drained site and lighter soil. It will also tolerate some shade. The Fraser Fir has an even better aroma than the Balsam.

This is one of the hardiest trees you can have for this area. It survives a variety of environmental conditions such as drought, wet springs, cold winters, and has few pest problems. It is a short needle tree with a dense pyramidal shape. It’s color varies from dark green to blue-green.

The blue and blue-green color of this spruce is perfect to add interest and contrast to your site. It grows best in good, well-drained soil and prefers a sunny, breezy site for long term vigor. Be sure to give it adequate separation from other trees and buildings.

This tree shares the same hardiness characteristics as the Black Hills Spruce. It is a short needle tree with graceful swooping boughs and long beautiful cones. It is the fastest growing spruce and the largest in maturity.

This medium length needle pine with a more open structure likes a sunny site. These trees are among the faster growing conifers. Their blue-green color and irregular shape add an interesting casual look to your yard. Rust colored bark provides pleasing color and texture. This pine is moderately intolerant to salt, so plant away from roadways and drain fields.

These majestic trees are native to northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. They are our fastest growing conifer and prefer well-drained soil and full sun, but will tolerate part shade. Their soft medium length needles whisper in the wind. Plant away from roadway as they are intolerant to salt and exhaust pollution.