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Maximize Curb Appeal – 13 Trees That Boost Property Value

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Written By Lyrae Willis

Environmental Scientist & Plant Ecologist

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Home » Statement Trees » Maximize Curb Appeal – 13 Trees That Boost Property Value

Trees are a proven way to help increase your property value as long as they thrive in your climate.

So, for zone pushers, this is not the time to push your luck because trees living at their limit typically do not look their best.

Instead, choose one well within its tolerance limits for your climate, and pay attention to its preferences and the conditions in your yard.

We will look at 13 trees that increase property value in various climates, so you should have no problem finding one that works for your yard and your climate.

Let’s take a look!

1. Southern Live Oak – Quercus virginiana

Southern Live Oak is a fantastic tree to increase your property value because it will live for centuries, growing into an iconic mighty oak in any warm temperate climate.

While it will sometimes grow in Zone 7, this isn’t recommended because it likely won’t look its best.

These trees grow easily in full sun in any average soil that is acidic to neutral. It thrives in most soil moistures from moist to dry, and while it will handle short-term flooding, it doesn’t like permanently wet soils.

Southern Live Oak makes a perfect shade or specimen tree in larger yards with room to grow.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 8 – 10
  • Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 80 ft (to 115 ft) tall, 60 – 100 ft spread
  • Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers emerge in spring; small sweet acorns appear in fall.
Southern Live Oak Tree - 3 Live Plants

Southern Live Oak Tree - 3 Live Plants 

  • Massive, picturesque, spreading canopy
  • Evergreen-like foliage, drought tolerant
  • Iconic Southern image, strong dense wood

2. Red Maple – Acer rubrum

The Red Maple is a gorgeous maple native to eastern North American woodlands.

It’s a highly adaptable tree that grows in various habitats, from swamps to dry upland soils in various soil types and textures.

This makes them incredibly easy to grow in almost any yard in a temperate climate, thriving and adding value to your property.

Red Maples produce reddish clusters of small flowers from late winter to spring. Then, they produce a beautiful, shady canopy of vibrant green leaves in the summer, plus colorful winged fruits.

In the fall, their leaves turn vibrant yellows or reds for additional interest.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8* *Will sometimes grow in 3 and 9 but not recommended here
  • Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 100 ft tall, 20 – 50 ft spread* *size depends on the variety
  • Flowering / Fruiting Season: Flowers emerge in late winter or early spring; winged seeds (samaras) appear in summer and fall.
American Red Maple Tree - 2 to 3 Ft Tall

American Red Maple Tree - 2 to 3 Ft Tall

  • Highly adaptable to various soil types
  • Vibrant fall foliage in yellows and reds
  • Produces shady canopy and winged seeds

3. Japanese Maples – Acer palmatum varieties

Japanese Maples are gorgeous trees available in hundreds of different varieties.

Their colorful leaves come in shades of red, purple, yellow, green, orange, and even variegated and are available in various shapes, from maple-like to deeply lobed and lacy.

You will have no problem finding one matching your home’s aesthetic, making your yard instantly more elegant and sophisticated.

They also come in various forms, from upright to pendulous, cascading, and in multiple sizes, from dwarf to full-sized trees reaching up to 25 feet tall to fit any yard size.

Japanese Maples prefer some afternoon shade and moist soils but are otherwise easy to care for in any temperate climate.

  • USDA Growing Zones: Most varieties grow in 5 – 7; some will grow in zones 4 or 8 – 9.
  • Average Size at Maturity: 6 – 25 ft tall, 6 – 25 ft spread* *height depends on the variety
  • Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers appear in early spring; winged fruits (samaras) mature in summer.
Tamukeyama Japanese Maple Tree, 2-3 ft.

Tamukeyama Japanese Maple Tree, 2-3 ft. 

  • Stunning weeping shape with cascading branches
  • Regal reds and purples across three seasons
  • Compact, low-maintenance, perfect for focal points

4. Southern Magnolia – Magnolia grandiflora

The Southern Magnolia is a gorgeous icon of the South, with its big glossy green evergreen leaves with rusty velvety hairs on the lower side and massive magnolia blossoms up to a foot wide.

It thrives in full sun or partial shade with consistently moist but well-drained, rich organic soils.

Even though it’s hardy to Zone 6, it’s best in Zones 7-10. If this sounds like your yard, these trees will thrive and add stunning beauty and value to your property.

Southern magnolia is a large tree, best planted as a shade or specimen tree with room to grow, not too close to buildings or foundations. Some smaller dwarf cultivars are also available.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 6 – 10* *only grow it in Zone 6 if you have a nice sheltered location.
  • Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 80 ft tall, 30 – 50 ft spread
  • Flowering Season: Massive flowers usually bloom from May to June.
Southern Magnolia - 2 to 3 Feet Tall

Southern Magnolia - 2 to 3 Feet Tall

  • Glossy evergreen leaves with large blossoms
  • Thrives in Zones 7-10, sheltered in Zone 6
  • Ideal as a large shade or specimen tree

5. Colorado Blue Spruce – Picea pungens

The Colorado Blue Spruce has a perfect Christmas tree shape with unique glaucous blue needle-like leaves on lush branches that go down to near ground level.

This popular western North American native spruce tree is well-known for increasing property value, and it’s a fantastic choice for those in colder climates where it thrives down to USDA Zone 3.

While it is more heat-tolerant than other spruce, those in more arid Zone 8 should avoid this tree unless they provide irrigation.

These beautiful trees are low-maintenance and will grow in virtually any soil type if planted in full sun.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 8
  • Average Size at Maturity: 30 – 60 ft tall, 10 – 20 ft spread
  • Flowering / Fruiting Season: Pollen cones release pollen in spring; seed cones mature in August of the same year.

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6. Crape Myrtles – Lagerstroemia indica

Crape Myrtles are gorgeous trees known to make your house look expensive. They are very popular with their showy flowers that often bloom all summer.

With shades of pink, purple, red, and white, you can choose various colors to match your house and property perfectly.

In the fall, the leaves turn gorgeous reds, purples, and yellows for an additional season of gorgeous color to brighten your property.

Crape Myrtles are low-maintenance trees that are small enough to fit in most yards and will adapt to most soil types as long as the climate is right; they prefer warm temperate climates.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 7 – 10* *Some are hardy to Zone 6 but not recommended here
  • Average Size at Maturity: 15 – 25 ft tall, 6 – 15 ft spread
  • Flowering / Fruiting Season: Showy flowers bloom continuously from June to September; berry-like fruits mature in fall.
Twilight Crape Myrtle Tree - 2 to 4ft

Twilight Crape Myrtle Tree - 2 to 4ft 

  • Stunning purple/pink flowers all summer
  • Fast-growing, over 6 feet per year
  • Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies

7. Bismarck Palm – Bismarckia nobilis

The Bismarck Palm is a true show-stopper for any yard that is warm enough, USDA Zone 9 and above.

Its stiff, waxy, fan-like leaves are up to 9 ft wide in a stunning steel-blue to gray-green color that will really pop, giving your yard a look of tropical extravagance, even though it’s not expensive to buy and incredibly easy to care for.

While it prefers well-drained soil, it’s not picky and will even grow in clay in full sun or partial shade.

While it is somewhat drought-tolerant, like most palms, it should be watered occasionally when grown in arid climates. Otherwise, in more humid climates, it will thrive without extra care.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 9 – 11
  • Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 70 ft (to 82 ft) tall, 10 – 15 ft spread
  • Flowering / Fruiting Season: Small fragrant flowers appear in late spring; these are dioecious, so they will not fruit unless you have a male and female tree.
Silver Bismarck Palm - in a 5 Gallon Growers Pot

Silver Bismarck Palm - In a 5 Gallon Growers Pot

  • Large, striking silvery blue fan-shaped leaves
  • Tolerant of drought and mild frost
  • Rapidly grows into a stunning, tall palm

8. Sugar Maple – Acer saccharum

The Sugar Maple is a very popular eastern North American native tree often used in landscaping because it has long been proven to increase property value.

It has a beautiful form with gorgeous classic maple leaves that turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and reddish-orange in the fall, usually with multiple colors on the tree at once.

They grow well in almost any soil except sand or permanently wet soils. Its deep roots allow it to thrive in dry conditions and tolerate both full sun and shade, making it highly versatile.

However, Sugar Maples are not recommended for urban areas because they are pretty sensitive to pollution.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 7* *Also to Zone 8 but not recommended
  • Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 115 ft tall, 40 – 50 ft spread
  • Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous yellow flowers emerge with leaves in mid to late spring; samaras (winged seeds) mature in September
Sugar Maple Shade Tree - 2 to 3 Feet Tall

Sugar Maple Shade Tree - 2 to 3 Feet Tall

  • Thrives in full sun
  • Shipped 2-3 feet tall in gallon containers
  • 30-day transplant guarantee with instructions

9. Shumard Oak – Quercus shumardii

Shumard Oak is one of the larger red oak trees with a gorgeous red fall color, making it a highly desirable choice for landscaping where it has room to grow.

It adds the elegant beauty of an oak with the vibrant red fall color typically seen in maples, giving you the added property value of both all in one tree.

This eastern USA native tree makes a gorgeous, relatively fast-growing shade tree that is highly adaptable and tolerant of mild droughts, short-term flooding, and strong wind. However, it is best grown in full sun.

It’s also a very popular wildlife tree, attracting birds, squirrels, and others to the fall acorn feast.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
  • Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 60 ft (to 115 ft) tall, 40 – 60 ft spread
  • Flowering / Fruiting Season: Inconspicuous flowers emerge in early spring with the leaves; bitter acorns mature in September or October.
Shumard Oak Tree, 5 Gallon Pot, 3-4ft Tall

Shumard Oak Tree, 5 Gallon Pot, 3-4ft Tall

  • Fast-growing, hardy shade tree
  • Vibrant foliage with resilient growth
  • Adapts to various soils and climates

10. Black Cherry – Prunus serotina

The Black Cherry is a lovely eastern North American native tree that produces fragrant white flowers and small blackish fruits that people sometimes eat in jams or pies.

Otherwise, leave the fruits on the tree; you won’t have any mess to clean because the native birds will flock to the feast.

These make gorgeous shade trees with their beautiful glossy leaves that turn pretty shades of yellow to rosy red in the fall.

Black Cherry is incredibly easy to grow in most soils, so it will easily thrive in your yard, and thriving trees always add value to your property.

While it will grow in partial shade, it will produce more flowers and fruits in full sun.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 9* *will grow in zone 3, but not recommended here
  • Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 80 ft tall, 30 – 50 ft spread
  • Flowering / Fruiting Season: Fragrant racemes of white flowers in spring; tart-sweet fruits mature in late summer to early fall.

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11. Big Leaf Magnolia – Magnolia macrophylla

The Bigleaf Magnolia is an exquisite tree with luxurious leaves that are the most massive of any native North American tree, up to 43” long.

Those huge leaves make for great shade and look amazing in any yard with moist, well-drained organic loams.

However, it will not tolerate drought and should be sheltered from the wind to look its best since strong winds could shred its leaves.

Not only are the leaves beautiful, but they bloom massive white magnolia flowers in May that can get up to 20” wide with white tepals and purple spots at the base.

These trees make any yard look sophisticated between the gigantic leaves and the enormous flowers.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5 – 8
  • Average Size at Maturity: 30 – 40 ft (to 60 ft) tall, 20 – 25 ft spread
  • Flowering Season: Massive flowers appear from late spring to early summer.

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12. American Beech – Fagus grandifolia

American Beech is not often one people think of. Still, it is a highly prized landscaping tree for its longevity and unique beauty that will add plenty of value to your property.

It has distinctive smooth gray bark, wide-spreading branches, and dark green textured leaves that turn coppery-bronze in the fall and remain on the tree through winter for additional winter texture and interest.

American Beech is easy to grow in various conditions, thriving in sun or partial shade, preferring moist but well-drained soils. Since they are very cold-hardy, they work great in colder climates.

They are also fantastic wildlife trees, attracted by the edible beech nuts they produce each fall.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 9
  • Average Size at Maturity: 50 – 70 ft tall, 40 – 60 ft spread
  • Flowering / Fruiting Season: Small yellowish flowers appear in late April or May; beech nuts mature in fall of the same year.
American Beech Tree -  6-12

American Beech Tree -  6-12" Tall Seedling

  • Distinctive smooth gray bark
  • Coppery-bronze fall foliage
  • Edible nuts for wildlife

13. Linden Trees – Tilia species

The lovely Linden Tree is a fast-growing tree that is low-maintenance and can be grown in full sun or partial shade in any yard with enough room.

The gorgeous lush leaves and fragrant flowers make this a favorite shade or specimen tree, instantly improving your home’s curb appeal. They also have a beautiful yellow fall color for additional interest.

Multiple species are available, including the native American Basswood, which will provide beauty and biodiversity values but doesn’t do well in highly urban areas.

If you live in a city, try the Little-Leaf Linden. It still has big, lush leaves, just smaller than the others.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 8
  • Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 70 ft tall, 25 – 45 ft spread* Height depends on variety
  • Flowering / Fruiting Season: Fragrant flowers appear in June; small woody fruits mature later in summer.
Little Leaf Linden 2-3 ft Tall

Little Leaf Linden 2-3 ft Tall

  • Compact and manageable size
  • Dense, heart-shaped foliage
  • Attractive to pollinators

Trees Are Proven to Increase Your Property Value

Trees are always a great idea for any home, whether you just moved in and are making an investment for your future or you are thinking of selling in the future and want to increase the odds of getting a better price.

It’s hard to know how much they will increase your property value.

However, if you plant the right trees for your climate and your conditions, they will thrive and look healthy and vibrant, making your land more valuable.

I hope you enjoyed learning about some gorgeous trees to make your yard look luxurious. Now, happy tree planting!

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Lyrae Willis

Environmental Scientist & Plant Ecologist

Lyrae grew up in the forests of BC, Canada, where she got a BSc. in Environmental Sciences. Her whole life, she has loved studying plants, from the tiniest flowers to the most massive trees. She is currently researching native plants of North America and spends her time traveling, hiking, documenting, and writing. When not researching, she is homeschooling her brilliant autistic son, who travels with her and benefits from a unique hands-on education about the environment around him.

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