Best backyard trees: 10 choices for yards big or small

When selecting the best backyard trees, it is important to choose trees that provide an elegant shape and attractive leaves with, if possible, beautiful flowers or fruits or fall foliage. Your trees are going to be part of your life every day, for many years, so it is important to choose the right variety and plant it in the right place.

Large trees that will soon tower over your house are best avoided, but some varieties develop a tree-like form and still remain quite small. Trees with aggressive roots, such as willows and poplars, are best avoided while some trees have spines or thorns which can give young and tender fingers a nasty surprise.

Varieties with upright growth are generally preferable to trees with more spreading growth, especially if you like to enjoy a lawn, as lawns are difficult to keep looking good in overhead shade from trees, especially evergreen trees. On the other hand, trees that cast cool shade in summer are also valuable if you enjoy relaxing and entertaining outside. 

Take your pick from our favorite options. 

By Graham Rice