Putting Down Roots

Favorite Trees Favorite Small Trees. The roots on the following small trees (which typically grow 15 to 30 feet high) won't crack pavement. All are candidates for small yards, and the ones that drop very little litter can also be used successfully near patios.  

• Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
• Serviceberry (Amelanchier species)
• Redbud (Cercis species)
• Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)
• Hawthorns (Crataegus species)
• Silver bell (Halesia carolina)
• Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
• Goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
• Saucer magnolia (Magnolia soulangiana)
• Flowering crab apples (Malus species)
• Flowering fruit (Prunus species)

Favorite Shade Trees. The following deciduous trees shade the house in summer and lose their leaves in winter, allowing the sun to warm the house.

• Red maple (Acer rubrum)
• Horsechestnut (Aesculus species)
• Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
• Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
• Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
• Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana)
• White oak (Quercus alba)
• Red oak (Quercus rubra)
• American linden (Tilia americana)
• Sawleaf zelkova (Zelkova serrata)