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7 Beautiful Trees for Alpharetta Georgia Landscapes
Avoid planting run-of-mill trees and having a basic landscape. Knowing the unique trees that can grow in your Alpharetta landscape will create a captivating aesthetic and curb appeal.
72tree.com gathered the following species and growing information about 7 of the most beautiful trees to plant in your Alpharetta, Georgia, landscape.
1. Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
Live oak grows to be a massive, picturesque, sprawling tree with magnificent horizontal and arching branches that form a broad, rounded, and majestic canopy. A squat, tapering trunk supports the massive, irregular limbs, often resting their “elbows” on the ground.
Size at Maturity – On average, this species reaches 50 feet in height with an 80+ foot spread. Soil Requirements – The live oak thrives in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, and clay soils. Sun Exposure – Full sun to partial shade Water Needs – While your oak tree establishes its root system and matures for the first 2 to 3 years, you should water it weekly. It will take about 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter to keep this species thriving. Hardiness Zone – 7 through 10
2. Rhododendron (Rhododendron)
Rhododendron, or “red tree,” refers to the red flowers and woody growth of some species, but rhododendrons can range in habit from evergreen to deciduous and from low-growing shrubs to tall, stunning trees.
Size at Maturity – This species can reach 5 to 20 feet tall with a 3 to 8-foot spread (depending on the variety). Soil Requirements – Rhododendrons thrive in well-draining soil with abundant organic matter. Sun Exposure – Full sun Water Needs – Water rhododendrons twice weekly during the first growing season. Once established, only water them during dry periods. Hardiness Zone – 4 through 8
3. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
This incredible maple shows off bright green foliage in spring and summer, then turns golden yellow and red in the fall.
Size at Maturity – This species can reach from 15 to 25 feet tall with a 15 to 20-foot spread. Soil Requirements – Japanese maples thrive when planted in well-drained, acidic soil high in organic matter. Sun Exposure – Dappled or Afternoon Shade Water Needs – Water this species heavily twice weekly during normal weather and increase waterings to three or four times during droughts. Hardiness Zone – 5 through 8
4. Weeping Cherry (Prunus subhirtella)
This cherry tree variety generally features non-fragrant pale pink to white flowers in spring, pea-sized blackish (inedible) fruits in late summer, and ovate to lanceolate green leaves gently swaying on drooping branches and stems.
Size at Maturity – This species can reach from 20 to 25 feet tall with a 15 to 20-foot spread. Soil Requirements – Weeping cherry trees are highly-adaptable to a range of soil types but flourish in loose, well-drained, loamy soil. Sun Exposure – Full sun Water Needs – A weeping cherry tree should be watered two to three times weekly during its first year. Afterward, it should only be watered when the top three inches of soil are dry. Hardiness Zone – 4 through 9
5. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
This tree species displays a variety of colors throughout the year. Leaves emerge reddish, turning vibrant green as they expand. The tree’s foliage is dark green in summer and yellowish in autumn. The tree’s showy flowers are pea-like and rosy pink with a purplish tinge.
Size at Maturity – This species can reach from 20 to 30 feet tall with a 25 to 35-foot spread. Soil Requirements – Eastern redbud trees thrive in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, nutrient-rich, sandy, well-drained, and clay soil. Sun Exposure – Full sun to partial shade Water Needs – Water your eastern redbud two to three times weekly during its first year. Afterward, it should only be watered when the top three inches of soil are dry. Hardiness Zone – 4 through 9
6. Rainbow Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta)
The rainbow eucalyptus is an evergreen tree with drooping spear-shaped, silvery-green leaves and curious clusters of tiny white flowers. The tree’s most stunning feature is the trunk, which grows rainbow bark in vibrant (nearly fluorescent) green, blue, orange, red, and purple shades. When planted in cooler areas, this tree species will require shelter from freezing wind and extremely low temperatures.
Size at Maturity – This species can reach 60 to 80 feet tall with a 20 to 30-foot spread. Soil Requirements – This species thrives in sandy, loamy soils that are fertile, moist, and well-drained. Sun Exposure – Full sun Water Needs – Water your tree daily for best results, never flooding the tree with standing water. Hardiness Zone – 9 through 11
7. Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
Most red oak leaves fade to brilliant red or orange-red shades in fall and will hold their color longer than other deciduous trees. Some red oak trees have yellow fall foliage instead of red.
Size at Maturity – This species can reach 60 to 75 feet tall with a 45-foot spread. Soil Requirements – Like other oak species, red oak thrives in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained, and clay soils. Sun Exposure – Full sun to partial sun Water Needs – While your oak tree establishes its root system and matures for the first 2 to 3 years, you should water it weekly. It will take about 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter to keep this species thriving. Hardiness Zone – 3 through 8
Beautiful Landscape Trees
In this article, you discovered essential species and growing tips for seven of the most attractive tree species for Alpharetta, Georgia, landscapes.
Knowing which tree species possess beautiful features will help you add intrigue and stunning visuals to your Alpharetta, Ga, landscape.
Not knowing the tree species capable of enhancing your Alpharetta, Georgia yard will leave your landscape dull and impressive.
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9 Small Trees for Landscaping Smaller Yards
Prevent overcrowding and killing your smaller yard with overstory trees. Knowing which trees remain small through maturity will help you create a balanced, long-lived ecosystem for your landscape.
72tree.com assembled the following 9 tree species selections and information to help you select trees that match the size of your landscape and leave room for their roots to properly develop.
1. Japanese Maple
Few trees show off their splendor like the Japanese maple in its fall colors. There are numerous ways to use this little tree in your yard. You can plant it as a specimen tree (in a partly shaded spot) or use it as a shade or privacy tree along your property line.
Scientific Name – Acer palmatum USDA Hardiness Zone – 5 – 8 Soil Requirements – moist, well-drained soil Optimal Sun Exposure – Full sun to part shade Color Varieties – burgundy foliage turning red in fall
2. Crape Myrtle
Crepe myrtle species are a favorite among southern gardeners and roadway landscapers. (Crepe myrtle is the preferred name in the south). The draw for this plant is that it blooms at a time when most trees are not blooming. Healthy trees will be covered with blooms that last for months during the hottest part of the summer. Crepe myrtles are deciduous, grow quickly, and will often grow in their multi-stemmed form.
Scientific Name – Lagerstroemia indica USDA Hardiness Zone – 7 – 9 Soil Requirements – Will grow in nearly all soil types Optimal Sun Exposure – Full sun to part shade Color Varieties – white, pink, red, lavender
3. Redbud
Desired for its striking pink or white flower display in spring, redbud is an easy-to-care-for small tree with heart-shaped leaves that turn golden-yellow in fall.
Scientific Name – Cercis canadensis USDA Hardiness Zone – 5 – 9 Soil Requirements – requires well-drained soil Optimal Sun Exposure – Full sun to part shade Color Varieties – species ranges from golden-yellow and purple foliage and white to pink flowers
4. Flowering (ornamental) Peach
The Bonfire Flowering Peach tree is a small ornamental tree with a bold personality. This tree is undeniable when its branches are peppered with fragrant pink blossoms in the spring!” Once the flowers fade, large burgundy, drooping leaves grow in, stealing the show. You won’t get edible peaches from this species, but you will get a fragrant and impressive display of flowers and foliage that will meet your need for drama in the landscape!
Scientific Name – Prunus persica ‘Bonfire’ USDA Hardiness Zone – 5 – 8 Soil Requirements – Prefers moist, acidic soils Optimal Sun Exposure – Full sun exposure Color Varieties – dark red leaves and double pink-red flowers
5. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel trees have highly desirable shaggy, citrus-scented blossoms in a rich yellow, orange, and red shades. Some species bloom in late winter before the leaves open, and others show off in the fall. These are small trees, averaging 10 to 20 feet tall, and are low maintenance. Prune in the early spring if you need to remove damaged portions or shape the plant.
Scientific Name – Hamamelis USDA Hardiness Zone – 3 – 8 Soil Requirements – Average or medium moisture and well-draining Optimal Sun Exposure – Full sun to part shade Color Varieties – Orange, red, and yellow
6. Crabapple
Plant a colorful display to your landscape with crabapples. There’s a wide range of species available that bear white, pink, and/or flowers. The ‘Prairifire’ species has dark pink flowers, reddish-purple foliage, and is disease resistant. The ‘Centurion’ variety has pink flowers, an upright shape, and great disease resistance. Crabapples are known for producing orange, gold, red, or burgundy fruit.
Scientific Name – Malus USDA Hardiness Zone – 4 – 8 Soil Requirements – medium moisture, well-drained soil Optimal Sun Exposure – Full sun exposure Color Varieties – Flowers in shades of white, pink, and red with orange, gold, red, or burgundy fruit
7. Magnolia Randy
If you had space for one flowering tree to plant in your tiny yard, you may find some difficulty choosing, but Magnolia ‘Randy’ would be an excellent one. The beauty of this Magnolia was famously developed as part of the little girl series of hybrid Magnolias developed by the National Arboretum. All bred to be small deciduous low-branched trees growing only to 15 feet tall with oval habits and later spring blooming. ‘Randy’ will give you reddish-purple flowers on the outside and white on the inside. Then there’s the star-shaped flower that might pop up randomly in the middle of the summer for a second bloom.
This species is part of the Little Girl series (‘Ann,’ ‘Betty,’ ‘Jane,’ ‘Judy,’ ‘Pinkie,’ ‘Randy,’ ‘Ricki,’ and ‘Susan’) of hybrid magnolias developed at the National Arboretum in the mid-1950s by Francis DeVos and William Kosar.
Scientific Name – Magnolia ‘Randy’ USDA Hardiness Zone – 4 – 8 Soil Requirements – organically rich, neutral to slightly acidic Optimal Sun Exposure – Full sun to part shade Color Varieties – Dark Pink Blooms and green foliage
8. Dragon Lady Holly
Multiple holly species, cultivars, and varieties could be selected for a small space, but the Dragon Lady Holly is an excellent choice for a few reasons. It is widely available, where other dwarf cultivars or uncommon varieties may require special ordering. The Dragon Lady cultivar is a female plant that needs a male for pollination to produce berries. Finally, its conical form requires very little maintenance, and it only grows to heights of about 15 feet or so. If you want a holly in your small space, this species makes sense.
Scientific Name – Ilex aquipernyi USDA Hardiness Zone – 6 – 8 Soil Requirements – Acidic, moist, well-drained soils Optimal Sun Exposure – Full sun exposure Color Varieties – Green with Bright Red Berries
9. Powder Puff
Whether growing it as a large shrub or prune it into a small tree, powder puff will treat you with its fluffy and fragrant red, pink, or white summer flowers. It’s a heat-loving, drought-resistant variety specialized for the warmest areas of California, Texas, and Florida.
Scientific Name – Calliandra haematocephala USDA Hardiness Zone – 9 – 11 Soil Requirements – Moist, well-drained, fertile soil Optimal Sun Exposure – Full sun exposure Color Varieties – red, pink, or white flowers
Small Trees for Tiny Yards
In this article, you discovered 9 tree species for small landscapes that help you avoid overcrowding and root competition.
Planting appropriately sized trees for your tiny yard allows you to develop a hardy and healthy ecosystem for your plants, trees, and shrubs without any of them choking out the other.
When you plant trees that end up dwarfing other plant life, you are robbing your landscape of vitally needed sunlight, soil nutrition, and physical space for all your plants, shrubs, and trees to flourish.
