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Badass Trees for Urban Areas

16 Sep, 2024 32
Badass Trees for Urban Areas Blog Header

So, what exactly makes up a *badass* tree? For urban areas, it’s gotta be tough 👊.

The trees on this list will kick butt in all of the following departments of badassery → 

 

Diverse Selection Built Tough Heat & Drought Resistant Disease Resistant Adaptable  Road Salt Tolerant Low-maintenance

There’s no “Jump to the Recipe” button here. We’re gonna get right to it.

 


The List

Shade Trees:

These trees throw some serious shade. Bred to help you beat the heat and lower energy costs. These shade trees provide all of that and more. Fall color, anyone? From adaptability and disease resistance to heat & drought tolerance, these trees are worthy of a standing ovation.

State Street Maple growing in a parking lot island with an inset of another State Street Maple growing in a homeowner's parking lot.

State Street™ Maple

Autumn Gold Ginkgo

Jefferson American Elm

Crimson Sunset® Maple

Emerald Avenue® Hornbeam

EXCLAMATION!® London Planetree

Swamp White Oak

American Dream® Oak

Emerald City® Tulip Tree

Afterburner® Black Tupelo

Espresso™ Kentucky Coffee Tree

Autumn Treasure® Hophornbeam

 

Columnar Trees:

These babies are underrated in our book. They fit like the final puzzle piece in those oh-so-small urban yards. They can be planted as an accent, to add shade, or for privacy and screening.

Pyramidal European Hornbeam growing on the parkway with an inset of them planted in a row along an urban fenceline.

Scarlet Letter™ Oak

Kindred Spirit® Oak

Crimson Spire™ Oak

Streetspire® Oak

Armstrong Gold® Red Maple

Shawnee Brave™ Bald Cypress

Urban Pinnacle® Oak

Princeton Sentry® Ginkgo

Pyramidal European Hornbeam

 

Ornamental & Flowering Trees:

Go on, be *EXTRA*. Plant an ornamental tree. Many ornamental & flowering trees provide interest throughout all seasons and are a wise choice for under utilities. Overall, Ornamental & Flowering Trees can easily be mixed into your plantings. From spring flowers to beautiful branching, these trees make the cut in our book.

Raspberry Spear Crabapple growing in a parking lot island with an inset of it's bright pinkish-purple flowers.

Snowdance™ Japanese Tree Lilac

Ruby Slippers Amur Maple

Raspberry Spear® Crabapple

Eastern Redbud

Little Twist® Cherry

Pink Flair® Cherry

Amur Maackia 

Golden Raindrops® Crabapple

Spring Snow Crabapple

 

Evergreen Trees:

From beautiful year-round color and privacy to superb drought & salt tolerance— these evergreen trees are some of the toughest around and will get the job done. 

Vanderwolf's Pyramid Pine planted near the corner of a front porch with an inset of the top of a more mature Vanderwolf's Pyramid Pine

Vanderwolf’s Pyramid Pine

Juniper Trees


The trees we plant are all well-acclimated to various soil and site conditions in the Chicagoland area. 

Find the tree that’s right for you and your yard today! Feel free to contact us for further guidance on selection and placement. 

Is there a tree not on our list that we missed? Please drop us a line and let us know what you think!