{"id":18799,"date":"2020-09-15T15:47:18","date_gmt":"2020-09-15T18:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=18799"},"modified":"2025-08-20T18:55:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T21:55:34","slug":"how-to-landscape-with-trees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/washington-dc\/how-to-landscape-with-trees\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Landscape with Trees in Washington, D.C."},"content":{"rendered":"

Trees can help fulfill your landscaping goals \u2014 be it shade, privacy, accent for your outdoor space, or a splash of color from cherry tree blossoms in your own Washington, D.C., area yard.<\/p>

And here in the District, planting your own trees will not only elevate your home\u2019s aesthetics, but it will also put money back in your pocket<\/a>.<\/p>

Let\u2019s take a look at the best ways to landscape with trees around your urban, Washington, D.C., home.<\/p>

1. Plant Trees for Shade<\/h2>

Shade trees, specifically, are valued by the D.C. Department of Energy<\/a> because they help control stormwater runoff, lower heating and cooling costs, promote health benefits, reduce crime, provide wildlife habitats, increase privacy, and lessen air and noise pollution.<\/p>

These trees are so valued, residents can qualify for free tree installations<\/a> or rebates on trees they\u2019ve purchased and planted themselves. The list of eligible trees includes various oaks and hickories, as well as other varieties \u2014 think American elms, bald cypresses, river birch trees, and red maple trees.<\/p>

2. Use Trees to Add Beauty<\/h2>

Besides shade, privacy, and ecological benefits, trees can also augment your curb appeal, serve as a focal point, frame a house, or spruce up your perimeter. The Arbor Day Foundation<\/a> has design plans ready-made for those who would like to DIY their tree landscaping job.<\/p>

Maturing at a height of 15 to 25 feet, a flowering tree, such as the kousa dogwood<\/a> (cornus kousa<\/i>) is the perfect focal point for small yards. It grows best in partial shade (but tolerates full sun), and provides blooms of white flowers in spring; an edible fruit in late summer, and fall color as the year progresses. Bonus: Unlike traditional dogwood trees, the kousa is resistant to borers and anthracnose.<\/p>

3. Grow Trees for Food<\/h2>

If you\u2019d like to try your hand at growing fruit trees<\/a>, there are several that thrive in our region, including European and Asian pears, peaches, apples, figs, and cherries.  Start by finding a reputable garden center and purchase plants that show no signs of disease or stress. Be aware: Only pear trees and fig trees are considered easy to care for. The others require a lot more work.<\/p>

You also can try growing olive trees in Zone 7, as long as they are of a cold-hardy variety, such as the arbequina olive tree.<\/p>

4. Choose the Right Tree for the Right Place<\/h2>

Located in the warmer part of Plant Hardiness Zone 7, meaning our summers aren\u2019t too hot and our winters aren\u2019t too cold, Washington, D.C., proves hospitable to a range of tree species, including these native ones<\/a>. (On the other hand, these trees should be avoided<\/a>.)<\/p>

There\u2019s also the subjects of shade versus sun and spacing \u2014 trees that work in larger yards won\u2019t fit well in small yards occupied by row houses. In addition to the popular native trees, such as Eastern redbuds, other small trees suited for limited outdoor spaces include \u201cLittle Gem\u201d Southern magnolias (magnolia grandiflora<\/i>), crabapple trees (malus<\/i>), and Japanese maples (acer palmatum<\/i>).<\/p>

5. Select Companion Plants<\/h2>

After installing your new trees, add no more than 3 inches of mulch around them. This helps maintain moisture and soil temperature, and it protects trees from accidental equipment damage. Be careful not to over-mulch<\/a>.<\/p>

Next, consider incorporating companion plants around your tree. Great options are shrubs (hydrangeas, azaleas, or spirea), perennials and annuals (hellebore, lirope, salvia, or ornamental grasses), and groundcovers (lilac, shore juniper, and winter jasmine).<\/p>

FAQ about Landscaping with Trees in Washington, D.C.<\/h2>

What small fast-growing trees are also good for shade?<\/h3>

The Arbor Day Foundation<\/a> suggests fruit trees, such as red delicious apple and Bartlett pear or flowering trees, such as crepe myrtles and magnolias.<\/p>

What are the best privacy trees to plant?<\/h3>

The best trees to plant for privacy are evergreen trees, as they keep their needles all year long. One such tree that grows well in the District is the emerald arborvitae<\/a>. A low-maintenance conifer with dark green foliage, this tree matures at a height of 10 to 15 feet.<\/p>

Where should a tree be planted in a front yard?<\/h3>

Before planting a tree in your front yard<\/a>, locate all underground utilities and take into consideration overhead power lines. It\u2019s also important to plant trees far enough away from your house, so the tree\u2019s roots won\u2019t eventually disturb your foundation or its leaves and branches won\u2019t interfere with your roof.<\/p>

When is the best time to plant in D.C.?<\/h3>

The International Society of Arboriculture<\/a> recommends planting trees in autumn, after leaves have fallen and trees are dormant, or in spring before buds open. The Urban Forestry Division<\/a> of the District\u2019s Department of Transportation, which is responsible for planting approximately half of the trees in the city\u2019s limits, begins planting in October and continues through March.<\/p>

What are the best trees to grow in Washington, D.C.?<\/h3>

This region\u2019s humid-subtropical climate can support a variety of tree types, including:<\/p>