Young trees have a way of making our minds wander. At first, you see a thin stalk with bare twigs. Then, you picture the tall, beautiful flower it will soon be.
And that’s good! Before you plant, you should think about how big your tree will get and what that will mean for your home.
If you pick the right tree, you won’t have to deal with roots that damage your home’s foundation or leaves that keep falling at your front door. Make the stress-free choice by learning about the best and worst trees to plant near a house below.
Choosing the right tree to plant near your home can enhance your landscape’s beauty and provide many benefits But you also want to avoid potential foundation damage, excessive leaves or other maintenance headaches. So what is a good tree to plant close to a house?
In this article, we will cover how to select the best trees for homes, including ideal planting distance, and recommend 15 low-maintenance, safe choices for your yard.
How Close Should You Plant a Tree to a House?
Most experts recommend keeping small trees at least 8-10 feet away from the foundation of a home Larger varieties need more space Here are some general guidelines
- Small trees under 25 feet tall – Plant 10+ feet away
- Medium trees 25-40 feet tall – Plant 20+ feet away
- Large trees over 40 feet tall – Plant 30+ feet away
The main reason for leaving ample room around a house is to avoid future root issues. Trees with invasive root systems can damage foundations, pipes, and pavement if planted too close.
When choosing a tree research its expected mature height and width along with how aggressive its roots are to find the right large tree vs. small tree for your goals.
15 Best Trees to Plant Near a House
Here are my top picks for safe, low-maintenance trees that won’t take over your yard:
Small Flowering Trees
- Crabapple (Zones 3-8) – Pretty spring blooms on a 20 foot tree. Choose disease-resistant varieties.
- Japanese tree lilac (Zones 3-7) – Fragrant summer blooms on a neat, 20 foot tree.
- Flowering dogwood (Zones 5-9) – Elegant white bracts in spring. Grows 20-30 feet.
Small Ornamental Trees
- Japanese maple (Zones 5-9) – Graceful, colorful leaves on a 20 foot maple variety.
- Paperbark maple (Zones 4-8) – Cinnamon-colored, peeling bark on a 20-30 foot maple.
- Eastern redbud (Zones 4-9) – Super early purple spring blooms. Grows to 25 feet.
Medium Evergreen Trees
- Yaupon holly (Zones 7-10) – A fast growing evergreen that can be pruned into a small tree.
- Southern magnolia (Zones 5-10) – Majestic white blooms with huge, waxy leaves. Grows 30-50 feet tall.
- Eastern red cedar (Zones 3-9) – Fragrant bluish-green foliage. Slow growing to 40 feet.
Medium Shade Trees
- White oak (Zones 3-8) – Classic shade tree grows 50 feet tall with minimal surface roots.
- Ginkgo (Zones 3-8) – Unique fan-shaped leaves turn golden yellow in fall. Height of 50 feet.
- Sweetgum (Zones 5-9) – Interesting star-shaped leaves with great fall color. Grows to 60 feet.
Large Shade Trees
- London planetree (Zones 6-8) – Massive, stately shade tree growing 60-100 feet tall.
- Dawn redwood (Zones 5-8) – A redwood variety that loses its needles in winter. Grows over 100 feet tall.
- Swamp white oak (Zones 3-8) – Large, sturdy oak suitable for wet sites. Grows 50-60 feet.
Be sure to give large trees plenty of room to spread out and avoid planting them right against your home’s foundation.
Other Tips for Choosing the Best Trees
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Consider mature size, growth rate, overall form, roots, and maintenance needs like leaf or fruit cleanup.
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Look for trees suitable to your hardiness zone and soil conditions. Talk to local tree experts for personalized recommendations.
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If you have limited space, consider multi-trunk or columnar tree varieties that don’t get too wide.
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Plant trees at least 15 feet away from driveways, patios and sidewalks to avoid root problems.
With smart planning and plant selections, you can enjoy the beauty of trees planted near your home without the hassles. Carefully choose small ornamental or medium shade trees and allow plenty of space for healthy growth.
Frequency of Entities:
tree – 41
plant – 8
house – 16
small – 5
feet – 10
grow – 5
leaf – 2
root – 5
flower – 4
zone – 8
Worst Trees to Plant Near a House
The trees on this short list are deemed the worst because of their widespread, invasive roots. These are just the top offenders, though!.
As soon as you find a tree you like, find out how quickly it grows and how damaging its roots can be.
- White ash (Zones 2–9) is a shade tree that grows quickly and has lateral roots that spread. It can also be attacked by the emerald ash borer.
- Poplar (Zones 3–8): A tall tree with strong roots that is known to damage sewers and foundations.
- In Zones 3–9, the American elm is a full tree with shallow roots that can damage your lawn, sidewalk, or driveway.
- Silver maple is a tree that grows in Zones 3–9 and has beautiful, shiny leaves. Its roots often grow above ground.
- Weeping willow (zones 6–8) is a big tree that likes to grow in shade and often gets into sewer lines.
- Oak (Zones 8–10): A loved, fast-growing tree that is known for damaging foundations
How close can you plant trees to a house, anyway?
This question all comes down to tree size. After all, a 70-foot-tall wide-root oak tree needs a lot more space than a small Japanese maple.
For small trees, a good rule of thumb is to start about 8 to 10 feet away from your home. The farther away you go, the bigger the tree will get.
What are good trees to plant near a house?
FAQ
Is it OK to plant a tree next to a house?
Which trees should not be planted close to a house?
What is the best tree to plant near your home?
Root System: The best tree to plant near your home is one with a small yet stable root system. Larger root systems can impact your foundation, and unstable root systems can put your house at risk from a falling tree. Cleanup: Too much natural material on your roof can damage your roof health. Certain trees, such as the linden, can attract bugs.
Can trees be planted near your house?
While trees can provide shade and beautiful views when near your house, the wrong kind of tree in close proximity to your house can negatively impact your home. Because of this, you need to be thoughtful about the best tree to plant close to your house. Which trees can be planted close to houses?
What should you look for when planting a tree near your house?
There are many features you should look for in a tree when planting one close to your house. Always keep your own house’s needs in mind when deciding. Root System: The best tree to plant near your home is one with a small yet stable root system.
How do I choose the right tree to plant near my home?
There are several things you want to consider when it comes to choosing the right tree to plant near your home. Of course, you want one that makes a pretty addition to your yard, so blossoming options or ornamental trees that show a spectrum of beautiful colored leaves are a great choice.