What tree should you plant? Mature size, sun or shade, moisture/drainage, wind tolerance, disease resistance, and grow-zone 7 are all musts to consider before bringing a tree home. I walk many neighborhoods here and I see a tree that will outgrow its placement or a shade loving tree wilting in full sun. And I’ve seen invasive trees.
I’ve seen the #1 TN invasive tree, ‘Tree of Heaven’ (Ailanthus), transplanted to front yards and lovingly mulched. I’ve been given seeds to start the flowering mimosa tree, the #2 invasive tree in TN. Shrub honeysuckle, privet, Japanese stilt grass and Paulownia (fox glove tree), are also common invasives to be rooted out and eliminated. https://www.tn.gov/protecttnforests/invasive-plants
How about the Bradford Pears, (Pyrus calleriana) that were once popular in the ‘90s? There are thousands of these once sought after trees in our neighborhoods. Yes, they are now on TN list of invasives. So what to plant that will help our insect and bird populations? Go to the UT site.
This UT publication lists beneficial large and small trees for our area. Use it as a guide for your research. I have planted the black gum, (Nyssa) in my front yard in full sun. Truly amazing color in fall. I have both Cornus florida and Cornus kousa planted in part shade and they are doing very well. I have a fastigiate (narrow) sweetgum, (Liquidambor styraciflua rotundaliba). It doesn’t bare nuisance fruit and gives remarkable late fall color. Check out the serviceberry, Amelanchier) and the cinnamon bark maple (Acer gryceum). Both grow well here and add diversity to our neighborhoods.
Good Planting! Get your hands dirty!
by Arnis Krassow and Dori Holt