The Best Trees to Plant in the Midwest (And Where to Put Them

June 5, 2025

Thriving in the Midwest

Planting a tree is a long-term investment—not just in your property, but in your environment, your home’s curb appeal, and even future shade and energy savings. But not all trees are equally suited for the Midwest’s unique climate, soil types, and seasonal swings. And even the right tree, if planted in the wrong spot, can become a problem rather than an asset.

At Midwest Tree Surgeons, we are committed to helping homeowners and property managers make smart choices that result in healthy, well-placed trees that thrive for decades. If you’re thinking about planting, here’s what to know about tree selection and placement in the Midwest.

A group of trees are standing in the water.

Climate Matters: Choosing Trees That Thrive Here

The Midwest is home to four distinct seasons, with hot, humid summers and cold winters. That range means you need a native tree that can handle both heat and hard freezes, along with high winds, heavy rains, and occasional drought.

Some of the most reliable and resilient choices for Midwest planting include:

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) – Fast-growing and adaptable, red maples offer beautiful fall color and work well in both urban and rural environments.
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) – A slow grower, but extremely hardy. Great for long-term shade and drought resistance

A close up of a tree branch with white flowers.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) – A small, native flowering tree that provides four-season interest and supports local wildlife.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) – A mid-sized ornamental with striking spring blooms. Ideal for smaller yards.
American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) – A tough, low-maintenance tree that performs well in shaded areas.
Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) – An unusual, moisture-tolerant conifer that thrives in wet soil and brings year-round interest.

These trees are favored not just for their durability, but also for their resistance to common pests and diseases in the region.

Not All Spots Are Equal: Placement Is Key

Even the healthiest tree can become a problem if planted too close to structures, walkways, or utility lines. Before digging, consider the tree’s mature height and spread, and ask yourself these questions:

Will it interfere with power lines or gutters when fully grown?
Will the roots disrupt foundations, driveways, or underground pipes?
Will it cast unwanted shade on gardens or other trees?
Is there adequate space for air circulation and sunlight?

As a rule, large shade trees should be planted at least 20–30 feet away from buildings. Smaller ornamental trees can often be placed closer, but still require at least 10–15 feet of clearance depending on the species.

Proper placement also protects the tree’s health by ensuring it gets the right amount of sun and avoids competition from other trees or root systems.

Consider Purpose: What Do You Want the Tree to Do?

Trees can serve many purposes—shade, windbreaks, privacy, aesthetics, or supporting local pollinators. Choosing the right species starts with knowing your goal:

For shade, look at broad-canopy trees like Red Maple or Bur Oak.
For seasonal color, Serviceberry, Redbud, and Sugar Maple deliver strong spring and fall visuals.
For privacy, consider evergreen options like Arborvitae or hybrid spruces (planted in rows).
For wildlife support, native trees like Oak, Dogwood, and Hawthorn offer food and shelter.

Talk to a certified arborist if you are unsure—it’s easier to plant the right tree than to remove the wrong one later.

A close up of a dogwood tree with white flowers and green centers.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Here are a few mistakes we often see:

Planting fast-growing trees too close to homes
Using non-native species prone to disease (like Bradford Pears)
Ignoring soil conditions and drainage
Overcrowding young trees, not accounting for future growth

A proper site evaluation and species selection up front can prevent the need for pruning, root mitigation, or even removal years down the line.

Plan with the Future in Mind

Trees don’t just add beauty—they can increase property value, reduce energy costs, and benefit the environment. But planting should be strategic. A tree that’s healthy, well-suited to the region, and placed with care will offer rewards for generations.

If you’re planning to plant, or want professional guidance on what will thrive on your property, Midwest Tree Surgeons is here to help. Our certified arborists can recommend species, evaluate placement, and ensure your investment starts strong—and stays strong.

A person is holding a red maple leaf in their hand.

An orange bird perched on a tree branch with green leaves

A close up of red leaves on a tree branch

The sun is shining through the branches of a cherry blossom tree.

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How a Long-Lived Tree Can Become a Valuable Part of a Property’s Identity

October 23, 2026

Some trees become more than landscaping . They become landmarks . A mature oak near the driveway, an old maple shading the backyard, or a large tree that has stood beside a home for generations can become part of how people recognize and remember a property. That kind of tree has value that is difficult to measure with size alone. It can shape the look of the land, provide shade, frame views, and create a sense of permanence that younger landscaping simply cannot reproduce overnight. That is why preserving a healthy, long-lived tree can be worth serious consideration.

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How to Identify Tree-of-Heaven and Why Professional Removal Matters

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Tree-of-heaven sounds harmless, but Ailanthus altissima is an aggressive invasive tree that has become established throughout much of the United States, including the Midwest. Originally native to China and Taiwan, tree-of-heaven was introduced to the United States in the late 1700s as an ornamental tree. Its ability to tolerate poor soil, pollution, disturbed ground, and difficult urban conditions helped it spread far beyond cultivated landscapes. Today, it can be found along roadsides, rail corridors, vacant lots, woodland edges, and other disturbed areas throughout the Midwest. Knowing how to recognize it is important because removing it incorrectly can actually make the infestation worse. Look Closely at the Leaves Tree-of-heaven has very large compound leaves made up of numerous individual leaflets. A single leaf can contain roughly 10 to 40 or more leaflets arranged along a central stem. Near the base of each leaflet are distinctive glandular teeth or notches that can help separate tree-of-heaven from similar-looking native species. Crushing the foliage is another useful clue. The leaves can produce a strong, unpleasant odor that has sometimes been compared to rancid or burnt peanut butter.

What Homeowners Should Check Before Severe Winter Weather Arrives

September 29, 2026

Winter can place significant stress on trees, especially when heavy snow, ice, strong winds, and rapid temperature changes arrive together. A tree that appears stable in mild weather may react very differently once branches are loaded with snow or the soil freezes. That is why late fall is a useful time for homeowners to look for warning signs before severe winter weather begins. A careful inspection can help identify weak branches, structural defects, and other concerns that may become more dangerous during a storm.

How Bagworms Can Damage Evergreens

September 23, 2026

Evergreens are often valued because they provide year-round color, screening, and structure in the landscape. When sections of an arborvitae, juniper, spruce, or similar evergreen suddenly begin turning brown or losing foliage, however, bagworms may be responsible. Bagworms are caterpillars that construct protective bags from silk and pieces of the plants they are feeding on. Because those bags blend into surrounding foliage, an infestation can become significant before the insects attract much attention. Understanding how bagworms feed and when they are easiest to control can help protect valuable trees and shrubs from unnecessary damage. The Bags Can Be Easy to Miss Bagworms get their name from the portable cases they build around themselves. As the larvae feed , they add pieces of needles, leaves, and twigs to the outside of the bag. This camouflage can make them difficult to recognize, particularly when populations are still relatively small. The bags may look like small brown cones or pieces of dried vegetation hanging from the branches. Penn State Extension notes that bagworms can become serious pests on arborvitae, juniper, spruce, fir, and other conifers because substantial feeding damage can occur before the infestation becomes obvious.

Why Fall Is a Good Time to Evaluate Tree Structure

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Fall is an especially useful time to take a closer look at the structure of mature trees . As leaves begin to thin and eventually drop, branches, unions, cracks, cavities, and other structural features become easier to see. That makes autumn a practical season for identifying problems that may be harder to spot during summer. It also gives homeowners time to address weak limbs or other concerns before winter snow, ice, and wind place additional stress on the canopy.

What Root Flare Can Tell You About Planting Depth

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A healthy tree should not look like a telephone pole entering the ground. Near the base of the trunk, the tree should widen where the major roots begin to spread outward. This area is known as the root flare, and it can reveal a great deal about whether a tree was planted at the correct depth. When the root flare is buried under soil, mulch, or landscaping material, the tree may face long-term problems that are easy to miss at first. Looking at the base of the trunk is one of the simplest ways to spot a planting issue before it becomes more serious.

What Sudden Branch Dieback Can Mean

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A tree can appear healthy overall and still develop a section of dead or dying branches. When branch dieback appears suddenly, especially in one part of the canopy, it can be a sign that something is interfering with the tree’s ability to move water and nutrients where they are needed. For homeowners, the important question is not simply whether a branch is dead, but why it died. Midwest Tree Surgeons evaluates tree health, structure, pests , disease, and site conditions to help determine what may be causing the change.

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When a tree grows too large for its surroundings, removing the upper portion of the canopy may seem like a quick solution. This practice, commonly called tree topping, involves cutting major branches or leaders back to stubs or lateral branches that are too small to assume the terminal role. Although topping can immediately reduce a tree’s height, it can also create lasting structural and health problems. For homeowners concerned about an oversized or potentially hazardous tree, professional pruning is generally a better approach.

Why Correct Pest Identification Matters Before Treatment

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When insects begin damaging a tree, the first instinct may be to treat the problem as quickly as possible. But not every insect requires the same response, and some insects that look harmful may not be the actual cause of the decline. Applying the wrong treatment can waste time, money, and potentially put additional stress on the tree. Midwest Tree Surgeons takes a diagnosis-first approach to tree care. Correct pest identification helps determine whether treatment is needed, which method is appropriate, and whether the real problem may involve disease, environmental stress, or another underlying issue.