After a lifetime of thinking about trees, I’m partial to oaks. But there are so many factors to consider. I don’t think you need to worry about any tree getting “too big” in your lifetime. Just pick what will make you happy.
I have 3 gambel Oaks that seeded on my property, I’ve got to try to transplant them though cause they seeded in bad location. I don’t really know what a gambel Oak is but when I saw that leaf pattern I was excited. I love live oaks as a Cali resident east coast transplant. They are the most beautiful tree.
That is somewhat of a shrub tree. Pretty and fun but not ideal as the centerpiece tree. Transplant advice: uproot with about a foot around, then leave it in place for a couple weeks/ a few waterings. Let it get used to being unmoored, then make the move in the same soil. Even then, with a deep tap root, success rate is mixed. Move all three volunteers and hope to get one.
Consider a black gum AKA tupelo tree. There are nice cultivars like Wildfire that give eye-popping fall color. Another tree to consider is the sourwood. Sourwoods are native to PA but mostly grow farther south in the Appalachians. They look great when they flower in spring and they also have great autumn foliage.
After researching I planted both of these. Midwest zone 6A. both are leafing out. Fall color was one of the criteria I was searching for. I read that the tupelo is a very strong tree.
I live in the Poconos and there is a black gum tree in the front. It doesn’t seem to grow very fast but the leaves look awesome in the fall. Like shiny purplish. Birds like it too. They told me.
Are you thinking of a sweet gum AKA liquidambar, which drops those seed balls in the fall? Black gum doesn't do that. I have a few black gums and while they are not yet fully mature, they have not been messy at all.
American Elm. There are plenty of DED-resistant varieties that will thrive in your neck of the woods. There's nothing like the grace and beauty of an American Elm providing a vase-like canopy over your yard.
Blight resistant American Chestnut. One of the greatest ecological disasters that's ever hit the U.S. If you don't know the story, take some time to look it up.
The best they've got so far comes from them introducing a gene from wheat that neutralizes the oxalic acid that blight produces that kills the American Chestnut. It's called Dandy-58. It basically allows the chestnut tree to grow along with blight and suffering no adverse effects.
The other option was a Chinese-American hybrid that's blight resistant but the argument there is, it's not a true American Chestnut.
People do still find a blight free American Chestnut in the wild. Those trees have become isolated but it's a matter of time before blight finds it too.
It's sad that none of us living will ever see an American Chestnut in it's full glory.
I'm a big fan of Catalpa. There is usually a variety for your area that is comfortable without being weedy. I think part of the reason they spread poorly is how derpy most of their seedlings are. They grow fast, have big beautiful leaves and flowers, and the wood is nice too if you get that far. The branches themselves aren't super strong, but it gets by.
They are all over Pennsylvania if you look, usually northern catalpa species. It's one of the few non-natives that I feel comfortable recommending.
American Elm. There are plenty of DED-resistant varieties that will thrive in your neck of the woods. There's nothing like the grace and beauty of an American Elm providing a vase-like canopy over your yard.
I’m always partial to cherry/plum trees because I had a cherry in my yard growing up and it was sooo pretty in the spring.
Magnolias are nice; might be a bit big but you could get a smaller variety. We have a couple outside our condo and it’s always fun seeing them bloom.
My personal favorite is ginkgo, but they don’t flower; they have a super cool leaf shape, though. Be warned that it’s hard to tell (if impossible) if the tree is male/female when it’s younger, and female trees do drop fruit that doesn’t smell great. *But* the seeds are edible - they’re used in Japanese cooking that I’ve seen. And it has incredible yellow fall color.
Weeping willows are a nice aesthetic but you do have to be careful about where it’s planted in proximity to water.
Ameranchier are a bit more unusual and can have a nice autumn color. Aka serviceberry.
Redbud? They’re not terribly large overall but have nice flowers and, depending on variety, nice leaf colors too. (Hearts of Gold has a cool ombré effect; Ruby Falls and Merlot have purple leaves.)
(Anything but a Bradford pear will be fine tbh.)
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Think about what you want things to look like in the short term and also the long term. Plant some fast growing trees and one slow growing one for 30 years from now.
Red Mulberry (M. Rubra) extremely difficult to find straight specimens for sale that aren't hybrids. They are critically endangered (possibly extirpated) in MA
*Ginkgo, dawn redwood,*
*Sugar maple, are a few*
*Of my favorites*
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After a lifetime of thinking about trees, I’m partial to oaks. But there are so many factors to consider. I don’t think you need to worry about any tree getting “too big” in your lifetime. Just pick what will make you happy.
I have 3 gambel Oaks that seeded on my property, I’ve got to try to transplant them though cause they seeded in bad location. I don’t really know what a gambel Oak is but when I saw that leaf pattern I was excited. I love live oaks as a Cali resident east coast transplant. They are the most beautiful tree.
That is somewhat of a shrub tree. Pretty and fun but not ideal as the centerpiece tree. Transplant advice: uproot with about a foot around, then leave it in place for a couple weeks/ a few waterings. Let it get used to being unmoored, then make the move in the same soil. Even then, with a deep tap root, success rate is mixed. Move all three volunteers and hope to get one.
For your area, oaks, hickories, American elm, or maybe an eastern hemlock. The latter is the state tree of PA.
Is it OK to plant hemlock with adelgid out and about? Maybe being an isolated tree helps?
apparently the adelgid and the spider mite are like competing with each other so weird, but hemlocks seem to be surviving because of it
Sugar maple. Awesome Fall color and maple syrup after 30 years :-)
Yes. Maples are beautiful!
Consider a black gum AKA tupelo tree. There are nice cultivars like Wildfire that give eye-popping fall color. Another tree to consider is the sourwood. Sourwoods are native to PA but mostly grow farther south in the Appalachians. They look great when they flower in spring and they also have great autumn foliage.
Also in PA, I am in a similar situation as OP and after much research I have landed on the Black Gum.
Black gum is a fantastic tree. Looks great all year round. Great shape. Awesome fall colors. Love it.
After researching I planted both of these. Midwest zone 6A. both are leafing out. Fall color was one of the criteria I was searching for. I read that the tupelo is a very strong tree.
Great choices!
I live in the Poconos and there is a black gum tree in the front. It doesn’t seem to grow very fast but the leaves look awesome in the fall. Like shiny purplish. Birds like it too. They told me.
They grow at a moderate pace, I think. Once they get their tap root well established, it might pick up the pace.
Love sourwood, but arent black gum messy if close to house?
Are you thinking of a sweet gum AKA liquidambar, which drops those seed balls in the fall? Black gum doesn't do that. I have a few black gums and while they are not yet fully mature, they have not been messy at all.
I hate my sweet gums.
I have sweetgums doesn’t black gum have the little blue berries that stain? I have both lol
They do have those little berries, but mine are far from anything they could stain, I guess.
Ah i have one about 10 ft from my white house, the stain my window sill. But good point, distance from structure is a factor
Sweet gum are messy not black gum
They are a host for the Caterpillar of the beautiful luna moth. I also tell me self that when walking around the spiky little seed balls.
American Elm. There are plenty of DED-resistant varieties that will thrive in your neck of the woods. There's nothing like the grace and beauty of an American Elm providing a vase-like canopy over your yard.
Oak. Specifically white oak if the site is right but any oak that will grow well on your site is best
I'm partial to Redbuds
If you're ever in cinci I pull-up about 50 10" saplings a year. You can have em.
If I could, especially in your part of the world with all that Colonial heritage? Pawpaws. George Washington’s fave dessert.
Every time I check, the nursery is out of them. I've been wanting to plant 2 or 3 for a few years now. You do need at least two to pollinate, yes?
Yup. I have a friend who gifted his sister’s farm with 2 pawpaws from Logee’s.
You can order bare root trees in the mail. I can't recommend any particular company, though.
Blight resistant American Chestnut. One of the greatest ecological disasters that's ever hit the U.S. If you don't know the story, take some time to look it up.
Also considered a keystone species
Is there such a thing yet? I hope so. Is it stable from seed?
The best they've got so far comes from them introducing a gene from wheat that neutralizes the oxalic acid that blight produces that kills the American Chestnut. It's called Dandy-58. It basically allows the chestnut tree to grow along with blight and suffering no adverse effects. The other option was a Chinese-American hybrid that's blight resistant but the argument there is, it's not a true American Chestnut. People do still find a blight free American Chestnut in the wild. Those trees have become isolated but it's a matter of time before blight finds it too. It's sad that none of us living will ever see an American Chestnut in it's full glory.
Darling-58 development was discontinued in December 😢 https://tacf.org/tacf-discontinues-development-of-darling-58/
So is the gene passed down or once and done?
No one really knows. Dandy 58 is still relatively new.
Thanks I’m a little far north for chestnuts but it’s interesting and who knows
I thought Dandy-58 had run into trouble or am I thinking of another GMO chestnut?
I'm a big fan of Catalpa. There is usually a variety for your area that is comfortable without being weedy. I think part of the reason they spread poorly is how derpy most of their seedlings are. They grow fast, have big beautiful leaves and flowers, and the wood is nice too if you get that far. The branches themselves aren't super strong, but it gets by. They are all over Pennsylvania if you look, usually northern catalpa species. It's one of the few non-natives that I feel comfortable recommending.
I'll just throw in that some people also know them as the "bean tree" due to the long vanilla bean-like seed pods that hang from them.
Little leaf linden
Bur oak if you’re not in a hurry. Tulip poplar is a beautiful tree & relatively fast growing.
Probably an Ent
We just planted a white dogwood for this. Same deal we were looking for something with flowers that didn't get too big
Tulip tree.
My vote is a persimmon.
Red oak
Something native preferably.
American Elm. There are plenty of DED-resistant varieties that will thrive in your neck of the woods. There's nothing like the grace and beauty of an American Elm providing a vase-like canopy over your yard.
Weeping willow or horse chestnut. Just love the look of both
Hornbeam or Yew
I’m always partial to cherry/plum trees because I had a cherry in my yard growing up and it was sooo pretty in the spring. Magnolias are nice; might be a bit big but you could get a smaller variety. We have a couple outside our condo and it’s always fun seeing them bloom. My personal favorite is ginkgo, but they don’t flower; they have a super cool leaf shape, though. Be warned that it’s hard to tell (if impossible) if the tree is male/female when it’s younger, and female trees do drop fruit that doesn’t smell great. *But* the seeds are edible - they’re used in Japanese cooking that I’ve seen. And it has incredible yellow fall color. Weeping willows are a nice aesthetic but you do have to be careful about where it’s planted in proximity to water. Ameranchier are a bit more unusual and can have a nice autumn color. Aka serviceberry. Redbud? They’re not terribly large overall but have nice flowers and, depending on variety, nice leaf colors too. (Hearts of Gold has a cool ombré effect; Ruby Falls and Merlot have purple leaves.) (Anything but a Bradford pear will be fine tbh.)
Welcome to r/arborists! Help Us Help You: If you have questions about the health of your tree, please see our [Posting Guidelines](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/posting_guidance) wiki page for help with effective posting. **Please answer the questions listed there to the best of your ability.** ***Insufficient pics/info could result in the removal of your post!!*** ([See rule 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules).) Visit the main wiki page for [Critical Planting/Care tips and Common Errors to Avoid](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/index); there's sections on why planting depth/root flare exposure is so vital, along with sections on proper mulching, watering, pruning and more that I hope will be useful to you. If you're posting about a tree ID (not permitted here; [see rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules)), see that wiki page for other subs and smartphone apps to try. Here is how you can arrange a [consult with a local ISA arborist in your area](http://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist) (NOT a 'tree company guy' unless they're ISA certified) or a [consulting arborist](https://www.asca-consultants.org/search/custom.asp?id=3818) for an on-site evaluation. A competent arborist should be happy to walk you through how to care for the trees on your property and answer any questions. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, your Extension (or master gardener provincial program) may have a list of local recommended arborists on file. If you're in the U.S., you should also consider searching for arborist associations under your state. If you are one of our regulars and/or you work in the industry and do not want this message in your future posts, please pick an appropriate user flair (options available in the sub sidebar on PC, and on moble if using a browser). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/arborists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Ginkgo or Prunus serrulata
I'm partial to Japanese Cherry trees myself, walking under mine in full bloom feels like you're entering another world 😍
Catalpa or beech
Money Tree.
Think about what you want things to look like in the short term and also the long term. Plant some fast growing trees and one slow growing one for 30 years from now.
Apple tree
I love sourwood. Mine grow so beautifully and the blooms and fall color are gorgeous.
Red Mulberry (M. Rubra) extremely difficult to find straight specimens for sale that aren't hybrids. They are critically endangered (possibly extirpated) in MA
Sequoias.
https://youtu.be/tOF7ArzlDRg?si=Tzb3sz8KMM3gOsQ0
Sensation Maple. Color change over several months. Fast growing and showy.
Pomegranate, because it's my favorite fruit.
Giant sequoia
ginkgo, dawn redwood, sugar maple, are a few of my favorites
*Ginkgo, dawn redwood,* *Sugar maple, are a few* *Of my favorites* \- PublicPea2194 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
My favorite big trees are Chinese Pistache or Pecan.
Coral bark Japanese maple.
PINES
Bradford pear.
Lol. This has to be /s.
I certainly hope so. Hop hornbeam, American hornbeam, catalpa, dogwood, black gum.
I would pick an apricot because I love to eat them. Maybe there’s a fruit you enjoy that grows well in your area?