What Are The Best Trees To Plant In The Chicago Area? Top 10 Trees to Elevate Your Northern Illinois Landscape

Oak leaves and acorns. White Oak species are great selections for adding value to property

So What Are the Best Trees To Plant In The Chicago Area?

Choosing the right trees for your Northern Illinois property is a decision that will resonate for decades to come. It's about more than just fleeting beauty; it's about creating a vibrant, resilient landscape that complements your home and enhances your connection with nature. As a certified arborist with TRAQ qualifications, I've spent years studying the intricate world of trees, and I'm here to share my top 10 picks for transforming your landscape into a haven of shade, beauty, and ecological harmony. So here's some of my completely subjective opinion on what to say when someone asks "What are the best trees to plant in the Chicago area?"

When choosing these trees, we use a set of priorities that enhances your landscape in a durable, and long term way, always focusing on value added when planting. This means that these trees have staying power, they work well in building a vibrant and long lasting ecosystem, and they raise the value of your property when properly cared for.

It is always integral to the health of your trees that you engage with a qualified professional in order to ensure your trees get the proper pruning applications and dosage, that your trees are planted in the right place to ensure they work well with the built environment around them, and that your trees are inspected on a regular basis to ensure not only their health, but the safety of you and your home. So lets get started on our favorite trees (in no particular order) for the Chicago area...

1. The Mighty Oaks: White Oak (Quercus alba) & Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)

Let's start with the undisputed kings of the Northern Illinois landscape: the oaks.

White oaks, with their majestic spread and iconic lobed leaves, are a symbol of strength and longevity. They can live for centuries, providing generations of shade and beauty.

Swamp white oaks, on the other hand, tolerate wetter conditions, making them ideal for areas with poor drainage. Both species offer stunning fall color, ranging from rich reds to deep browns.

Growth Rate & Lifespan:  Oaks are known for their slow and steady growth, but their longevity is unmatched. Expect a mature white oak to reach 60-80 feet tall with a similar spread, living for 300 years or more. Swamp white oaks are slightly smaller and may live for 200-300 years.

Why We Love Them:  Oaks support a vast network of wildlife, from insects to birds to mammals. Their deep roots stabilize the soil, preventing erosion and improving water infiltration. Plus, their stately presence adds a touch of grandeur to any landscape.

2. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

Looking for a burst of color? The red maple delivers with its fiery red fall foliage that illuminates the landscape. But its appeal goes beyond aesthetics. Red maples are adaptable, tolerating a wide range of soil conditions, including those heavy clay soils common in our region. They also boast a relatively fast growth rate, providing quicker shade and privacy.

Growth Rate & Lifespan:  Red maples are moderately fast growers, reaching 40-60 feet tall with a 30-50 foot spread. They typically live for 100-150 years.

Why We Love Them:  Red maples offer multi-season interest, with red flowers in spring, green foliage in summer, and that spectacular red fall display. They're also relatively low-maintenance, making them a popular choice for homeowners.

3. Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) & Black Maple (Acer nigrum)

For those with a sweet tooth (and a love for fall color), the sugar maple and its close relative, the black maple, are top contenders. These majestic trees are renowned for their vibrant fall foliage, ranging from golden yellow to fiery orange. Sugar maples, in particular, are famous for their sap, which can be tapped to make delicious maple syrup.

Growth Rate & Lifespan:  Sugar maples and black maples are slow to moderate growers, reaching 60-75 feet tall with a 40-50 foot spread. They can live for 200 years or more.

Why We Love Them:  These maples are iconic symbols of the Northern Illinois landscape, providing shade, beauty, and a connection to our natural heritage. Brilliant autumn colors and a strong growth habit make these trees an excellent choice for patient homeowners.

4. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

If you're seeking a smaller tree with multi-season appeal, the serviceberry is a delightful choice. In spring, it erupts with delicate white flowers, followed by edible berries that attract birds and other wildlife. Its fall foliage ranges from fiery orange to deep red, adding a final burst of color before winter.

Growth Rate & Lifespan:  Serviceberries are relatively fast growers, reaching 15-25 feet tall with a similar spread. They typically live for 20-30 years.

Why We Love Them:  Serviceberries are versatile, adaptable, and offer a delightful sequence of beauty throughout the year. Their smaller size makes them ideal for smaller yards or as understory plantings.

5. Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana)

For a touch of uniqueness, consider the blue beech, also known as musclewood. Its smooth, gray bark resembles flexed muscles, giving it a distinctive appearance. In fall, its leaves turn a vibrant yellow, adding a splash of sunshine to the landscape. Blue beeches tolerate shade and moist conditions, making them suitable for a variety of sites.

Growth Rate & Lifespan:  Blue beeches are slow growers, reaching 20-30 feet tall with a similar spread. They can live for 100 years or more.

Why We Love Them:  Blue beeches offer a unique aesthetic with their muscular bark and vibrant fall color. They're also relatively pest-free and tolerant of urban conditions.

6. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

Transport yourself to a Southern swamp with the bald cypress, a deciduous conifer that thrives in wet conditions. Its feathery foliage turns a beautiful reddish-brown in fall before dropping, revealing its distinctive, textured bark. Bald cypresses are surprisingly adaptable, tolerating a range of soil conditions, from wet to dry.

Growth Rate & Lifespan:  Bald cypresses are slow to moderate growers, reaching 50-70 feet tall with a 20-30 foot spread. They can live for hundreds of years.

Why We Love Them:  Bald cypresses add a touch of ancient history and unique beauty to the landscape. Their ability to tolerate wet conditions makes them an excellent choice for rain gardens or areas with poor drainage.

7. Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)

For a truly spectacular fall display, the black tupelo, also known as black gum, is a top contender. Its glossy green leaves transform into a kaleidoscope of colors in autumn, ranging from fiery red to deep purple. Black tupelos are adaptable, tolerating a range of soil conditions and even some drought.

Growth Rate & Lifespan:  Black tupelos are slow to moderate growers, reaching 30-50 feet tall with a 20-30 foot spread. They can live for over 600 years.

Why We Love Them:  Black tupelos offer exceptional fall color and attract wildlife with their small, bluish-black fruits. They're also relatively pest-free and tolerant of urban conditions.

8. River Birch (Betula nigra)

Add a touch of elegance to your landscape with the river birch, known for its graceful form and exfoliating bark. The bark peels in papery layers, revealing a mix of colors, from salmon to cinnamon. River birches prefer moist conditions but can tolerate some drought once established.

Growth Rate & Lifespan:  River birches are fast growers, reaching 40-70 feet tall with a 40-60 foot spread. They typically live for 40-50 years.

Why We Love Them:  River birches offer year-round interest with their graceful form, exfoliating bark, and vibrant yellow fall color. They're also relatively low-maintenance and add a touch of natural beauty to any setting.

9. American Elm (Ulmus americana)

The American elm, once a dominant feature of our urban landscapes, is making a comeback thanks to disease-resistant cultivars like 'Valley Forge' and 'Princeton'. These elms retain the classic vase shape and graceful arching branches of their predecessors, but with improved resistance to Dutch elm disease.

Growth Rate & Lifespan:  American elms are fast growers, reaching 60-80 feet tall with a similar spread. With proper care and disease management, they can live for 150-200 years or more.

Why We Love Them:  American elms offer a sense of history and grandeur, evoking a time when their majestic canopies graced our city streets. Their resurgence brings hope for a healthier and more resilient urban forest.

10. Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana)

For a tree that can handle just about anything, look no further than the ironwood, also known as hophornbeam. Its extremely hard wood makes it resistant to storm damage, and its adaptability allows it to thrive in a variety of conditions, from shade to full sun. Ironwood offers subtle beauty with its fine-textured foliage and interesting bark.

Growth Rate & Lifespan:  Ironwood is a slow grower, reaching 20-30 feet tall with a similar spread. It can live for 100 years or more.

Why We Love Them:  Ironwood is a tough and reliable choice for challenging sites. Its understated beauty and ecological value make it a valuable addition to any Northern Illinois landscape.

Bringing it All Together: Your Northern Illinois Oasis

Choosing the right trees for your landscape is an exciting journey. By considering factors like growth rate, lifespan, aesthetics, and ecological benefits, you can create a vibrant and resilient outdoor haven that reflects your personal style and enhances your connection with nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best trees for small yards in Northern Illinois?  Serviceberry, ironwood, and blue beech are excellent choices for smaller spaces.

2. Which trees provide the most vibrant fall color?  Red maple, sugar maple, black tupelo, and river birch offer stunning fall displays.

3. What are the fastest-growing trees for quick shade?  Red maple, river birch, and American elm are known for their rapid growth.

4. Which trees are best for attracting wildlife?  Oaks, serviceberries, and black tupelos provide food and habitat for a variety of birds and animals.

5. What are the most low-maintenance trees for Northern Illinois?  Red maple, basswood, and ironwood are relatively low-maintenance choices.

6. Which trees tolerate wet soil conditions?  Swamp white oak, bald cypress, and river birch thrive in moist environments.

7. Which trees are best for providing shade?  Oaks, maples, and elms offer expansive canopies for ample shade.

8. What are the longest-living trees for a lasting legacy?  White oak, black tupelo, and bald cypress can live for centuries, providing a lasting legacy for generations to come.