barn nursery - shade trees 1

Birch - Riverbirch

The Southern Magnolia is an evergreen tree with large, deep green leaves of a stiff texture. The huge white flowers are fragrant and appear from May to October, depending on variety. Large Southern Magnolias can reach 60 to 80 feet tall and 40 feet wide, but there are many cultivars available with smaller habits and long bloom times. Bracken’s Brown Beauty has foliage that is deep green on top and rusty brown below. It grows to 40 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Little Gem is the most dwarf type. It grows in a tight habit, 15 to 20 feet tall, and flowers heavily at a young age. Deciduous magnolias like the saucer and star magnolias bloom in April, before their leaves emerge. They make excellent small trees or large shrubs.

Magnolia Southern

Magnolia Southern (close up of flower)

Maple Sugar

Maple October Glory

Maple Red Sunset

The Barn Nursery • I-24 at the 4th Avenue exit • Chattanooga, Tennessee • 423-698-BARN

Birches are attractive accent or shade trees with decorative peeling bark. They are most often grown with three to five main trunks. Riverbirch are the hardiest species for the Chattanooga area. They grow up to 50 feet tall and thirty feet wide. River Birches provide light dappled shade, have yellow fall foliage and buff colored peeling bark. They will grow in damp areas or well drained soil, but do need extra water in the hot summer months. Most white birches are better adapted to a cooler climate, but the variety Whitespire will grow well here. It grows 35 feet tall and 15 feet wide and has pale white peeling bark.

The best tall maples for the Chattanooga area are the Red Maple and the Sugar Maple. Both grow 40 to 60 feet tall and have magnificent fall foliage. Red maples such as October Glory or Red Sunset are faster growing than Sugar Maples, and are more tolerant of drought and environmental stress such as urban conditions. Red maples tend to have red to orange leaves in the fall, while Sugar Maples are more in the yellow to orange range. Both are long lived and easy to grow.

Oak Pin Oak

Oak Pin Oak Leaves

Oak Shumard

Oak Shumard Leaves

Oak Willow

Oak Willow Leaves

Some trees are beautiful in the short term. Dogwoods, cherries, and Japanese maples attain their true character in 3 to 5 years. A good oak tree is a blessing on your grandchildren. Most varieties grow 40 to 70 feet tall and can live for over 100 years. Some Oaks are difficult to transplant, but these 4 varieties are vigorous and easy to grow. Willow Oaks have narrow leaves and a round canopy. They are extremely drought tolerant and make good street trees for large areas. Pin Oaks have a narrow, pyramidal habit that makes them good for a medium sized yard. They grow 60 feet tall and 25 feet wide, with rust colored leaves in the fall. Nuttal and Shumard Oaks are pyramidal when young, but can get 40 to 60 feet wide when mature. They have red fall color and will grow in wet or average soil.

Tulip Poplar Flower

Willow Weeping

Weeping willows are a favorite accent tree for large landscapes. They are frequently planted near ponds or streams because they will grow well in wet soil. 30 to 40 feet tall and wide. Deciduous.

This large native tree is the state tree of Tennessee. It is a fast growing, deciduous shade tree with bright yellow fall color. The ultimate size is 70 feet tall and 40 feet wide, so it is only appropriate for a large yard. The tulip shaped flowers can be yellow, orange or green and appear in May and June. In a large setting, a Tulip Poplar is a magnificent tree to be enjoyed for generations.

Tulip Poplar