Large Deciduous Trees
Tagged as: Deciduous
- Generally grow taller than 40 feet
- Drop their leaves in the fall (deciduous)
- Recommended on the basis of ornamental value, hardiness, availability, and freedom from serious problems
Uses in the Landscape
Shade is an obvious benefit of large trees. A few large trees planted on the south and west sides of a house can reduce cooling costs up to 10% in the summer. In the Winter, deciduous trees drop their leaves to allow the sun to naturally warm your house. Large trees can also shade decks and patios, walks, and parking areas.
Framing is another feature of large trees. When planted in the front or sideyards, large trees can create a frame around the house. Large trees planted in the backyard create a background against which the house is viewed from the street. In each case, a large tree helps create a sense of establishment and permanence.
Factors to Consider
Permanence
Large trees will be part of your landscape for many years. In fact, once established, they can be quite expensive to remove Therefore, it's especially important when planting large trees to make sure you're planting them in sites that meet the trees' needs and allows for the trees' ultimate size. It's also important to obtain information about the tree's flowers, fruits, seeds, leaves, bark, and growth habit to make sure it is appropriate for your landscape setting.
A visit to The Morton Arboretum is an excellent way to observe and study trees that you might be interested in planting.
Recommended Large Deciduous Trees (over 40 feet)
| BOTANICAL NAME | COMMON NAME | HEIGHT | SPREAD | FORM | RATE | ZONE | CULTURAL/COMMENTS |
Acer x freemanii |
Freeman's Maple | 75-80' | 45-50' | Oval | F | 4-8 | Full sun; thrives in a range of soil pH, tolerates wet or dry soil conditions; a hybrid or red and silver maple; outstanding red-orange fall color |
| Acer x freemanii 'Armstrong' |
Armstrong Freeman's Maple | 50-70' | 15-20' | Upright narrow | F | 3-6 | Best in full sun well-drained soils. Tolerant of temporary wet conditions. |
| Acer x freemanii 'Jeffersred' |
Jeffersred Freeman's Maple- AUTUMN BLAZE® | 50-60' | 40-50' | Broad Oval | F | 4-7 | Strong central leader; more drought tolerant than above; consistent orange-red fall color |
| Acer x freemanii 'Marmo' |
Marmo |
45-70' | 35-40' | Upright columnar | F | 4-7 | Red and green fall color; a Chicagoland Grows® introduction |
|
Acer miyabei
|
Miyabe Maple | 40-50' | 30-35' | Upright-oval to rounded | M | 4-8 | Full sun in moist, well drained, slightly acidic soil. tolerates some dryness. |
|
Acer miyabei 'Morton'
|
Morton Miyabe Maple-STATE STREET® | 40-50' | 30-35' | Broad pyramidal | M | 4-8 | Full sun in moist, well drained, slightly acidic soils. Excellent heat and drought tolerance. |
|
Acer nigrum |
Black Maple | 60-70' | 50-75' | Upright oval | S | 4-8 | Sun to part shade; well-drained soil; higher heat & drought tolerance than sugar maple; salt sensitive |
| Acer rubrum |
Red Maple | 40-50' | 35-45' | Pyramidal | M/F | 3-9 | Full sun; prefers moist, acidic soil; chlorosis a problem in high pH soil and drought conditions; red flowers and yellow-green to red fall color |
| Acer rubrum 'Autumn Flame' |
Autumn Flame Red Maple | 50-60' | 40-50' | Rounded | M | 4-8 | Best in full sun well-drained soils. Tolerant of temporary wet conditions once established. Prefers slightly acidic pH soils. |
| Acer rubrum 'Bowhall' |
Bowhall Red Maple | 40-50' | 10-15' | Upright pyramidal | M | 5-8 | Narrow form; late, brilliant orange to red fall color |
| Acer rubrum 'Franksred' |
Franksred Red Maple- RED SUNSET® | 40-50' | 35-40' | Pyramidal to rounded | M | 4-8 | Early, orange to red fall color |
| Acer rubrum 'October Glory' |
October Glory Red Maple | 40-50' | 40-50' | Oval to rounded | M | 5-8 | Late, brilliant orange to red fall color |
| Acer saccharum |
Sugar Maple | 60-75' | 40-50' | Oval to rounded | S | 4-8 | Full sun to part shade; prefers rich, well-drained soil; susceptible to salt, drought, and air pollution; leaf scorch and verticillium wilt can be a serious problem; orange, yellow, or red fall color; native in Midwest |
| Acer saccharum 'Green Mountain' |
Green Mountain Sugar Maple | 50-60' | 45-50' | Oval | S | 3-8 | Full sun to part shade; loamy, well-drained soil; adaptable to moderately high pH soil; tolerant of heat and dry conditions; orange and golden yellow fall color |
| Betula nigra |
River Birch | 40-70' | 40-60' | Pyramidal to rounded | M/F | 3-9 | Full sun to part shade; moist to well-drained acidic soil, develops iron chlorosis in high pH soil; tolerant of temporary flooding and clay soils; attractive peeling bark adds winter interest; native in Midwest |
| Betula nigra 'Cully' |
Cully River Birch - HERITAGE™ | 60-70' | 40-50' | Rounded pyramidal | S | 4-9 | Sun to part shade; well-drained, acidic soil; open habit with low branching; cinnamon-red exfoliating bark |
|
Catalpa bignonioides
|
Southern Catalpa | 30-50' | 30-50' | Broad-spreading to irregular | F | 5-8 | Sun to part shade in well-drained soils. Tolerant of wet, dry and alkaline soils once established. |
| Catalpa speciosa |
Northern Catalpa | 40-60' | 20-40' | Upright/ irregularly oval |
F | 4-8 | Best in part sun/part shade in well-drained soils. Tolerant of wet, dry and alkaline soils once established. |
| Celtis occidentalis |
Hackberry | 40-60' | 40-50' | Broad Oval to vase | M/F | 3-9 | Sun (young plants prefer part shade); acid or alkaline soils; tolerant of temporarily wet sites and pollution; native in Midwest |
|
Diospyros virginiana
|
Persimmon | 35-60 | 20-35 | Oval to rounded | S | 5-9 | Sun; prefers well-drained soil; can form thickets; blocky bark; large, fleshy orange fruit attractive but messy; male trees available |
| Fagus sylvatica |
European Beech | 50-60' | 35-45' | Pyramidal to oval | S/M | 4-7 | Sun; moist, well-drained soil; more tolerant of alkaline soil than our native species; smooth gray bark; attractive foliage |
| Fagus sylvatica 'Asplenifolia' |
Fern-leaved European Beech | 50-60' | 45-50' | Pyramidal | S | 4-7 | Cut-leaf, dark green leaves almost fern-like; attractive golden-brown fall color |
| Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea Tricolor' |
Tricolor European Beech | 30-40' | 20-25' | Rounded | S | 5-7 | Variegated purplish leaves edged with rose and cream color |
| Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii' |
River's Copper Beech | 50-60' | 45' | Rounded | S | 4-7 | Best in part shade to full sun in deep, rich, moist but well-drained soils. Intolerant of wet, poorly drained, clay soils. Difficult to transplant, spring plant only. |
| Ginkgo biloba |
Ginkgo | 50-80' | 30-40' | Pyramidal to wide spreading | S | 4-8 | Sun; moist fertile soil; pH adaptable; displays good salt, heat, and pollution tolerance; bright green, fan-shaped leaves change to an excellent yellow fall color; select male cultivars only |
| Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold' |
Autumn Gold Ginkgo | 45' | 30-35' | Broadly pyramidal | S/M | 3-8 | Full sun, prefers deep, sandy soils and moderate moisture, soil pH adaptable. |
| Ginkgo biloba 'Magyar' |
Magyar ginkgo | 50' | 20-25' | Upright | S | 3-8 | Full sun, best in deep, sandy soil and moderate moisture, pH adaptable. |
| Ginkgo biloba 'Princeton Sentry' |
Princeton Sentry Ginkgo | 60' | 10-15' | Columnar | S | 3-8 | Full sun, prefers deep sandy soils and moderate moisture, pH adaptable. |
| Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis |
Thornless Honey Locust | 40-70' | 40-70' | Broad vase | F | 4-9 | Sun; moist, well-drained soil; salt and drought tolerant; cast light shade |
| Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Moraine' |
Moraine Honey Locust | 40-60' | 50-70' | Broad vase | F | 4-8 | Seedless; golden yellow fall color |
| Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis 'Skyline' |
Skyline Honey Locust | 45-60' | 35-45' | Pyramidal | F | 4-8 | Sun; moist, well-drained soil; strong central leader; dark, leathery leaves turn a bright yellow fall color; fruitless |
| Gymnocladus dioicus |
Kentucky Coffeetree | 50-60' | 40-50' | Broad to wide spreading | S/M | 4-8 | Full sun to part shade; best in moist soil; tolerant of high pH soil, drought, and pollution; yellow fall color; thick seed pods of female tree offer winter interest; male trees are seedless; native in Midwest |
| Gymnocladus dioicus ''J.C. McDaniel' |
Kentucky Coffeetree - PRAIRIE TITAN™ | 60-70' | 30-40' | Upright/ Spreading |
S/M | 3-8 | Full sun, prefers deep moist soil for best growth. Drought and pollution tolerant. |
| Larix decidua |
European Larch | 70-75' | 25-30' | Pyramidal | M/F | 3-6 | Sun, intolerant of shade; well-drained soil; deciduous conifer (cone-bearing); bright green foliage turns golden yellow in fall before dropping |
| Liriodendron tulipifera |
Tulip-Tree | 70-90' | 35-50' | Rounded to oval | F | 4-9 | Sun; prefers moist, well-drained soil; pH adaptable; straight trunked; goblet shaped orangish-green flowers in spring; unusual tulip-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall; spring plant only; native in Midwest |
| Magnolia acuminata |
Cucumber Magnolia | 50-80' | 50-60' | Pyramidal to rounded | M/F | 4-8 | Full sun to light shade; moist well-drained soil; attractive pinkish-red fruit pods; native to Midwest |
| Quercus alba |
White Oak | 50-80' | 50-80' | Broadly rounded | S/M | 3-9 | Full Sun; requires moist, slightly acidic soil; sensitive to soil disturbances, such as compaction; state tree of IL; native in Midwest |
| Quercus bicolor |
Swamp White Oak | 50-60' | 50-60' | Broadly rounded | M | 4-8 | Sun; requires moist, slightly acidic soil; chlorosis symptoms in high pH soils; tolerant of urban conditions |
| Quercus macrocarpa |
Bur Oak | 70-80' | 80-90' | Broad | S | 3-8 | Sun; very adaptable to most soils and pH; difficult to transplant; more tolerant of urban conditions than other oaks; native in Midwest |
| Quercus muhlenbergii |
Chinkapin Oak | 40-50' | 50-70' | Round | S | 5-7 | Full sun; prefers rich, well-drained soil; tolerant of alkaline soil; difficult to transplant |
| Quercus robur |
English Oak | 40-60' | 50-60' | Round to spreading | S/M | 4-8 | Full sun; well-drained soil; pH tolerant |
| Quercus rubra |
Northern Red Oak | 60-80' | 60-75' | Round | M | 3-7 | Full sun; prefers sandy loam soils that are slightly acidic; develops chlorosis symptoms in high pH soils; tolerant of salt and air pollution; native in Midwest |
| Taxodium distichum |
Bald-Cypress | 50-70' | 20-30' | Pyramidal | M | 4-10 | Sun; adaptable to wet, dry, and swampy locations; prefers acidic soils, chlorosis symptoms with high pH soil; straight narrow tree with wide base; sage green leaves turn a russet-red in fall; a stately deciduous conifer; native in Midwest |
|
Tilia americana |
American Basswood | 60-80' | 30-40' | Oval to rounded | M | 3-8 | Sun to part shade; prefers deep, fertile soil; heart-shaped leaves; fragrant flowers in June; dense shade tree |
| Tilia x flavescens 'Glenleven' |
Glenleven Yellowish Linden | 50' | 35' | Upright/Oval | F | 4-7 | Full sun to light shade in deep, fertile, well-drained soil, pH adaptable |
| Ulmus davidiana var. japonica 'Morton' |
Morton Japanese Elm- ACCOLADE® | 40-60' | 35-40' | Upright vase | F | 4-7 | shows good resistance to Dutch elm disease (DED) and elm leaf; yellow fall color; Chicagoland Grows® introduction |
| Ulmus 'Morton Plainsman' |
Morton Plainsman Elm - VANGUARD™ | 50' | 45' | Rounded to vase-shaped | F | 4-9 | Full sun, adapts easily to extremes in soil pH and moisture |
| Ulmus 'Morton Red Tip' |
Morton Red Tip Elm - DANADA CHARM™ | 60-70' | 50-60' | Vase Shape | F | 4-9 | Prefers rich, moist soil, tolerant of most soils and urban conditions |
| Ulmus 'Morton Stalwart' |
Morton Stalwart Elm - COMMENDATION™ | 60' | 50' | Upright/Oval | F | 4-9 | Full sun; moist, well-drained soil; high drought tolerance. |
| Ulmus 'Homestead' |
Homestead Elm | 40-50' | 40-50 | Pyramidal to vase | F | 5-7 | Excellent DED and elm yellows resistance; arching branches; susceptible to elm leaf beetles; European hybrid |
| Ulmus 'New Horizon' |
New Horizon Elm | 40-50' | 40-50' | Upright | F | 3-7 | Excellent DED resistance; large, dark green leaves; yellow fall color; upright, full crown; Asian hybrid |
| Ulmus x hollandica 'Pioneer' |
Pioneer Netherland Elm | 50-60' | 45-50' | Round | F | 5-7 | Excellent DED resistance; tolerant of urban conditions; susceptible to elm leaf beetle; yellow fall color; European hybrid |
| Ulmus 'Regal' |
Regal Elm | 50-60' | 30-35' | Pyramidal to oval | F | 4-5 | Good DED resistance; stress tolerant; strong central leader with open crown; European hybrid; U of WI introduction |
| Ulmus 'Morton Glossy' |
Morton glossy Elm - TRIUMPH™ | 50-60' | 40-50' | Upright-oval | F | 4-9 | Vigorous grower with glossy dark green foliage and symmetrical form. |
| Ulmus americana 'Princeton' |
Princeton American Elm | 75-90' | 50-60' | Vase shape/Upright | F | 3-9 | Well-drained soil in full sun to part shade, tolerates flooding |
Height and spread listed are at the tree's maturity. How fast a tree grows will be influenced by site conditions, species selection, and maintenance. Growth rate refers to the average annual rate of growth in the first 10 years after planting
Key to Growth Rate:
F : Fast (25 inches or more a year)
M/F : Medium to Fast (18 to 25 inches a year)
M : Medium (13 to 22 inches a year)
S/M : Slow to Medium (12 to 18 Inches a year)
S : Slow (less than 12 inches per year)
TOP: Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula', weeping European beech, has smooth gray bark and dark foliage
BELOW: Gymnocladus dioicus, Kentucky coffeetree, is a large, picturesque tree with an open habit as it matures
Seasonal changes
Many trees drop flowers, seeds or nuts. This may be a maintenance consideration if the tree is planted near a patio or deck, an entry, sidewalk, or driveway. Trees planted close enough to shade the house will also likely drop their leaves and seeds into the gutters, requiring periodic inspection and cleaning. It's important to assess your willingness to do these tasks before selecting a site and a tree.
Maintenance
Some trees may send up lots of new shoots from the roots (suckers) which require cutting; others may require periodic fertilization, spraying, pruning, or other special care. As trees grow taller, these tasks often can't be handled by the homeowner. Be sure you know if the tree you're planning to plant has any of these requirements and then consider carefully whether you're able to provide the necessary maintenance on a yearly basis.
Types of shade
Its important to understand that the leaf and branching patterns of different species produce different types of shade. Some trees, such as Norway maple, create such deep shade that little will grow beneath them. Others, such as honey locust, may create a light, filtered shade that allows for turf grass as well as other plants to grow beneath their canopies.
Growth rate
Another important consideration is how quickly the tree grows. In newer residential areas, people often select trees that grow quickly. Although they are desirable for their rapid contribution to the landscape, fast-growing trees are often shorter-lived, more susceptible to disease and insect problems, and more likely to break from wind and ice. For these reasons, its often useful to plant a combination of fast-growing and slow-growing trees.
The chart inside provides information about the size, shape, growth rate, and other important characteristics of trees recommended by The Morton Arboretum for their suitability and desirability in the Midwest.
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