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| Shade | 46% | 211 votes | Total: 457 votes | |
| Ornamental | 54% | 246 votes |
Shade
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Add to FavoritesObviously, everyone's front-yard is the same and that would mean that a great shade tree would be the only choice. Well, they really should have had an "it depends" option, because there are so many factors in making the choice between a shade or ornamental tree for your front yard and you could even use both depending on your site conditions.
Ornamenta l trees typically provide you with some sort of showy flowering season and possibly fruits that attract more wildlife. The shade tree is most likely going to provide more shade and be a larger, more statuesque tree.
You should really start by analyzing your site and determining what you are trying to accomplish. Do you have a space for a small or large tree? Are you trying to add color? Do you want color in all seasons? Do you want lots of shade or filtered shade? Do you want to attract wildlife? Do you care about large fruits dropping on the ground or do you want no mess from the tree? Are you adding shrubs, perennials or other plantings beneath the trees or will it be lawn? Do you want to cool your home in summer? Do you want to do a lot of cleanup in the fall?
These are just a few of the questions you may start to ask as yourself when making a choice between shade and ornamental trees. Once you have some idea of the size of your space and have made a list of some of your priorities, I would then recommend speaking with a horticulturist or landscape architect to help you make the right choice.
Many local garden centers employ horticulturists who can show you the trees at their store and tell you the pros and cons of each. You could also hire a landscape architect, who can not only help you with choosing a shade or ornamental tree, but also provide you with a complete site plan for all your landscape ideas. By utilizing the knowledge of a horticulturist or landscape architect, you can be more certain that the shade or ornamental tree you plant is going to be suitable for your site conditions.
If you are a "do-it-yourselfer", these experts can also give you advice on how to properly plant and locate your new tree. There is nothing worse than finding out your tree branches are going to grow into your home five years after planting the tree.
Whether you choose shade or ornamental trees, planting a tree is a great thing for the environment and a great way to add life to your front yard. Take time to make the right decision and you will have a great addition to your home for years to come.
Learn more about this author, mtkiff.
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Ornamental
The funny thing about trees is they are all ornamental by nature. They are all beautiful wonders, Nature's Glory, the ultimate hardy perennial. What's not to love about a tree? Having said that, some just also happen to be shade trees as well. At least others consider them shade trees. In practical terms all trees, no matter how spindly, how narrow or how wispy-leaved it may be, provides some sort of shade. Hence it's a "shade" tree too.
But we're talking about the front yard, the place where most folks want to make a statement, beautify their surroundings or maybe just to one-up the Jones family next door with a prettier yard. To place a tree in the front of your house needs special consideration. Do you want to block your home from view or your own view out? Do you want your house to be cool and dark? Do you like leaves and branches falling into your gutters? All this is a possibility if you have a huge shade tree in your front yard planted close to your house. But on the other hand a well placed shade tree can help reduce cooling costs during blistering hot summer days.
If these are your objectives then indeed a large "shade" tree would suit your needs. Silver, Norway and Sugar Maples, White, Red and English Oaks, Catalpas and Weeping Willows all cast great shade from their wide, thickly-branched and thickly-leaved canopies. The evergreen tree, since they don't usually drop their needles, can block your home from the evil harsh winds of winter saving you money on heating. These lovely trees planted as specimens in the front yard will indeed make a statement, one not easy ignored. I just hope your house is big enough to withstand it. Large trees by a small house tends to make the house look that much smaller. Not good when you want to resell it but if you want a shady yard then go for it.
For the most part a relatively small tree, one that grows to thirty feet at maturity, would benefit a house's appearance while not overwhelming it. A semi-dwarf Apple, Dogwood, Japanese Red Maple, Saucer Magnolia, Crabapple or ornamental Peach all growing under thirty feet high make a much more subtle statement in the front yard yet possibly more of an impact. In the spring some of these provide quite a show with their lovely blooms. For almost year round blooms on a small sized tree go for the Crape Myrtle if you are lucky enough to live in a temperate area. That is something to consider if, in fact, you want to show up those next-door neighbors or simply if you like the look yourself. Some of those mentioned, Dogwoods and Crabapples to be exact, also grow berries that birds like to nibble and they cast a nice bit of shade too, though not as much as some may like.
It's all a matter of preference. Trees are gorgeous whether showy spring bloomers, fruit and berry producers, majestic shade or plain pine trees. So, should you have a "shade" or an "ornamental" tree in your front yard? The answer to that is yes, you most assuredly should have one, two or three if space allows. Either kind, it matters not which. They are all good for the environment, for nature and for you and your home's curb appeal. Besides, they are all "Ornamental" after all.
Learn more about this author, Glory Lennon.
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