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Started By
Message
Help with tree selection for front yard
Posted on 2/12/26 at 7:42 pm
Posted on 2/12/26 at 7:42 pm
My front yard faces south-southwest, and in the summer, the sun is relentless as it swoops from east to west. Our front yard is approximately 1000 sq ft, and we're thinking about putting a Chinese Fringe tree near the right and by the front sidewalk in front of our house (near the mailbox). I also like the Chinese Pistache. Are there other suggestions that might look good and provide some shade to the front window/front door in the afternoon? We're willing to wait 5 years for it to grow and mature.
Disregard the letters on the house...I posted this same pic to ask where I should place an American flag (which I eventually settled on B).
Disregard the letters on the house...I posted this same pic to ask where I should place an American flag (which I eventually settled on B).
11
Posted on 2/12/26 at 8:30 pm to Crescent Connection
Idk anything about the trees you listed but a couple thoughts. 1 - you can’t just plant any tree in front of your home - make sure it’s a dwarf variety that won’t grow 30’ tall. 2 - I think a tree near your mailbox will look terrible; grass won’t grow under it so you’ll need to mulch around it, lawn won’t be as pretty, curb appeal will suffer (your house will be hiding behind the tree), etc. This idea is a hard no imo. 3 - what kind of tree is already on the right side? Might not be a bad idea to match that tree and plant near area C
Posted on 2/12/26 at 8:49 pm to Crescent Connection
I planted a Chinese pistache and sadly it died, but I'm kind of glad it did. The size that it can grow to was going to be to big for the front yard.
I settled on a Arbequina Olive Tree.
I settled on a Arbequina Olive Tree.
Posted on 2/12/26 at 9:06 pm to Crescent Connection
People cut down trees to have a lawn like yours.
Posted on 2/12/26 at 10:47 pm to Sir Saint
[embed] Might not be a bad idea to match that tree and plant near area C[/embed]
1. Put some tint in those widows.
2. What this guy said, bring that front bed out and plant another American Holly about 10’ from the house. Or
3. Plant a sugar maple out in the yard.
1. Put some tint in those widows.
2. What this guy said, bring that front bed out and plant another American Holly about 10’ from the house. Or
3. Plant a sugar maple out in the yard.
This post was edited on 2/12/26 at 11:07 pm
Posted on 2/13/26 at 8:46 am to Crescent Connection
Yard is too small for a tree large enough to help with sun issues.
I planted maples in my front yard (about the same depth from sidewalk to slab) years ago - roots took over my flower bed and did a number on my sewer line.
Best solution (stated above) is to invest in window treatments to help with glare/heat load.
My opinion - free and worth every penny.
I planted maples in my front yard (about the same depth from sidewalk to slab) years ago - roots took over my flower bed and did a number on my sewer line.
Best solution (stated above) is to invest in window treatments to help with glare/heat load.
My opinion - free and worth every penny.
Posted on 2/13/26 at 9:54 am to Crescent Connection
Sweetbay magnolias may be an option.
Posted on 2/13/26 at 10:54 am to Crescent Connection
A pine tree would jump up and filter shade for you, but they have there issues.
Posted on 2/13/26 at 5:28 pm to Churchill
OPs yard is actually the perfect use case for a pine. It’s an attractive tree while young and grows fast and chubby providing instant shade, and when mature will be tall without being wide and grass will grow underneath it. Plus you’ll get free pine needles
Posted on 2/13/26 at 8:12 pm to Crescent Connection
I have a neighbor with a couple river birch trees that are really nice and have not outgrown his yard over the last 15yrs.
Little Gem Magnolia or Teddy Bear Magnolia in a pine straw bed in line with the window and midway to the street would look good.
Little Gem Magnolia or Teddy Bear Magnolia in a pine straw bed in line with the window and midway to the street would look good.
This post was edited on 2/14/26 at 7:36 am
Posted on 2/13/26 at 9:38 pm to ItzMe1972
Although, won’t be a shade tree per se, but I agree that a sweetbay magnolia would like fantastic.
Posted on 2/14/26 at 5:30 am to cgrand
quote:I think pines can look good in a well manicured lawn, people aspire their yards to look like Augusta. There are also other types of pine trees than just loblolly and long leaf. Tannenbaum Mugo Pine tops out around 12-15 feet, and looks like a better looking Leland cypress, full and evergreen.
OPs yard is actually the perfect use case for a pine. It’s an attractive tree while young and grows fast and chubby providing instant shade, and when mature will be tall without being wide and grass will grow underneath it. Plus you’ll get free pine needles
Posted on 2/15/26 at 8:59 am to Unobtanium
quote:
Yard is too small for a tree large enough to help with sun issues.
This is correct.
quote:
Best solution (stated above) is to invest in window treatments to help with glare/heat load.
I have properties at the beach and use window film that reflects sunlight during the day and provides privacy as well. It’s very inexpensive and combined with blackout curtains or exterior Bahama shutters you’ll a massive reduction in heat absorption during the summer.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:45 am to Unobtanium
quote:
Yard is too small for a tree large enough to help with sun issues.
this. I can't think of any shade tree that won't (eventually) cause a problem- either killing the grass or roots growing into something you will regret.
Tint the windows and call it a day.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:54 am to Crescent Connection
Looking at your yard, there is no tree I'd recommend to help with the sun issue.
Totally different than a tree but a strong recommendation. Window tint helps very little - this is from personal experience. What did help tremendously was a window solar screen over the window. Negative is that looking outside, it always looks cloudy.
Other reommendation is a shutter on the inside. Much different than a blind for sun purposes. Not cheap but great look.
Totally different than a tree but a strong recommendation. Window tint helps very little - this is from personal experience. What did help tremendously was a window solar screen over the window. Negative is that looking outside, it always looks cloudy.
Other reommendation is a shutter on the inside. Much different than a blind for sun purposes. Not cheap but great look.
Posted on 2/17/26 at 10:33 pm to Crescent Connection
As the others say, if you put any kind of tree in that yard, you are going to make it infinitely harder to maintain that lawn.
I would put a shade screen on that window, though. I put them on my house and they helped considerably.
I would put a shade screen on that window, though. I put them on my house and they helped considerably.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 8:55 am to Crescent Connection
I'm thinking Live oak.
Just kidding. Yard too small and to nice to add a tree. Leave as is and maybe try the window tint.
Just kidding. Yard too small and to nice to add a tree. Leave as is and maybe try the window tint.
Posted on 2/18/26 at 8:42 pm to Citica8
Would Tannenbaum Mugo pine survive south Louisiana heat and humidity?
Where did you get yours?
Where did you get yours?
Posted on 2/18/26 at 11:20 pm to Crescent Connection
My vote goes to the Kwanzan Cherry tree. A Japanese varietal that thrives in full sun and does well in Louisiana. For a few months you are blessed with double blossomed beauty and nobody else is likely to have one like it. They eventually reach about 15-20 feet tall and equally wide while producing minimal or no fruit to attract pests,
Posted on 2/20/26 at 10:36 am to bkhrph
quote:I don't personally have it. It is zone 2-7, but research says it can grow in zone 8B. OP did not give a zone.
Would Tannenbaum Mugo pine survive south Louisiana heat and humidity?
Where did you get yours?
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