January 7, 2020

Written By: Ricci's Landscape Management

What Trees Grow Best in Indiana?

Finding the best trees for landscaping in Indiana can be a challenge. Between weather patterns, soil conditions and even city regulations, a lot of work goes into choosing a tree that suits your landscape while meeting all the right criteria. Fortunately, the specialists at Ricci’s Landscape Management are here to help.

Aerial view of a landscaped backyard by Merrillville landscape designers, featuring a pond, patio seating areas, fire pit, garden beds, and green lawn adjacent to a house.

Concrete steps with garden lights lead past flowering shrubs and stone retaining walls in a landscaped yard, expertly designed by Crown Point landscaping, with a brick patio and outdoor seating.

Lawn with wavy mow lines in front of a landscaped garden featuring shrubs, flowers, stone edging, and trees—expertly crafted by Merrillville landscape designers.

Stone steps with a black metal railing lead up through landscaped gardens, crafted by Crown Point landscaping experts, featuring green shrubs, flowering plants, and a backdrop of trees.

A landscaped garden with stone paths, a small pond, lush greenery, flowering plants, bird feeders, and a brick house in the background—expertly crafted by Schererville landscape design services.

A landscaped garden with a curved lawn, surrounded by mulch beds, shrubs, flowers, and tall evergreen trees under a clear blue sky—expertly crafted by Crown Point landscaping professionals.

A landscaped garden with stone steps, green shrubs, and blooming hydrangeas showcases the artistry of Crown Point landscaping, set against a backdrop of trees under a clear sky.

Aerial view of a landscaped backyard with a swimming pool, lounge chairs, a hot tub, and a putting green, reflecting the quality of Crown Point landscaping around the main house nestled among trees and greenery.

Stone pathway winding through a garden with green shrubs, pink and yellow flowers, and trees in the background on a sunny day, showcasing expert Crown Point landscaping.

A gravel path curves through a landscaped garden with mulch, rocks, yellow flowers, and lush greenery surrounded by tall trees—an inviting scene crafted by Merrillville landscape designers.

Aerial view of a modern house with a backyard featuring a swimming pool, patio seating, landscaped garden by Crown Point landscaping, and a small putting green, all enclosed by a black fence.

Curved concrete walkway bordered by mulch, low shrubs, small landscape lights, and trees on a sunny day—an inviting space crafted by expert Valparaiso landscapers.

Stone patio with a central fire pit, surrounded by landscaped garden beds and bordered by trees in the background. Stairs lead down to the patio—an inviting outdoor space crafted by Merrillville landscape designers.

A backyard patio with stone pavers, a circular fire pit, landscaped flower beds, and a view of a pond and nearby houses—expertly crafted by Crown Point landscaping specialists.

Tiered stone landscaping with mulch, various shrubs, and flowers in front of a large brick house on a sloped yard—an inviting look perfected with expert Schererville landscape design services.

Stone steps rise through a landscaped garden with flower beds, shrubs, and a small American flag beside the house on a sunny day, showcasing the artistry of Merrillville landscape designers.

A small garden pond with rocks, a waterfall feature, blooming flowers, green plants, and a red brick house in the background—expertly crafted by Merrillville landscape designers.

Backyard patio area with a gazebo, outdoor seating, and landscaped flower beds bordered by stone edging, expertly crafted by Merrillville landscape designers in a suburban neighborhood on a partly cloudy day.

Brick walkway with garden landscaping by Valparaiso landscapers leads to a pool area with blue lounge chairs and orange umbrellas beside a tan house surrounded by greenery.

A landscaped backyard by Merrillville landscape designers features a stone retaining wall, ornamental grasses, and a pool area with lounge chairs and orange umbrellas beside a modern house.

A landscaped garden by Schererville landscape design services features a small waterfall, pond, large rocks, and lush green shrubs and flowering plants under a sunny sky.

A landscaped garden with a small stone waterfall, pond, green plants, and a wooden bench among large rocks under trees—expertly crafted by Valparaiso landscapers for a serene outdoor retreat.

A rectangular backyard pool with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and an outdoor seating area, bordered by shrubs and a stone walkway, beside a modern house—perfectly designed by Crown Point landscaping experts.

A small stone waterfall with green algae growth flows into a clear pond surrounded by aquatic plants and greenery, illustrating the craftsmanship of Chesterton landscape company experts.

A backyard patio with stone pavers, low brick walls, lush landscaping, and a raised deck attached to a house—expertly crafted by a Chesterton landscape company—with neighboring houses visible in the background.

A two-story beige house with a covered patio, balcony, and a backyard expertly crafted by Merrillville landscape designers, featuring mulch, rocks, and young plants.

Curved stone walkway bordered by green grass leads to a house with a stone exterior, professionally landscaped with shrubs and small trees by experienced Valparaiso landscapers.

Considering the beauty, maintenance requirements and environmental factors of trees common to Indiana, our landscaping experts maintain a list of recommended trees for enhancing the look and value of your property. A healthy, beautiful tree makes a lovely addition to your home or business, providing shade, preventing soil erosion and giving your yard a touch of wonder.

What Are the Best Trees to Plant in Indiana?

Japanese Tree Lilac
Serviceberry Tree
American Hornbeam
Black Tupelo (Sour Gum)
Hackberry
Chinquapin Oak

Add Ornamental Beauty to Your Indiana Yard

If you prefer trees as accents rather than main features, an ornamental tree may be just what your yard needs. These natural beauties offer unique features while remaining under 25 feet, making them ideal for commercial properties.

Japanese Tree Lilac: Famously versatile, this lovely landscape tree is known for its dramatic ivory flowers and glossy, coppery bark. These fragrant displays first appear in early summer when most other trees have stopped flowering, making your home or business look especially striking.
Serviceberry: This unusual tree is one of the most beautiful ornamentals you can find. With pretty white flowers in spring, flame-red leaves in autumn and edible berries during summer, the Serviceberry will impress in every season.
American Hornbeam: Slow-growing and dense, the American Hornbeam is known for the striking red and gold foliage it takes on every fall. This robust plant resists diseases and pests while thriving in many lighting and soil conditions. Thanks to its broad spread, it makes an excellent option for yard privacy.

What Are the Best Trees for Backyard Shade?

For larger yards, a majestic shade tree offers a perfect combination of visual appeal and natural function, making a house feel more like a home.

Sour Gum: Also known as the Black Gum, this 30-to-50-foot stunner offers rich green leaves that become vibrant gold and scarlet in the fall. Its tiny berries are popular with small mammals, songbirds and bees, making the Sour Gum an ideal contribution to your local ecosystem.
Hackberry: With a mature height of 60 feet matched by a spread of 50, the Hackberry is an excellent windbreak. This broad-crowned tree is tolerant of cold and grows well in urban conditions.
Chinquapin Oak: For a tree you can enjoy for a lifetime, nothing beats an oak. This majestic specimen can easily reach heights of 80 feet and readily adapts to different soils. With its intense fall colors and ample shade, this tree will make a yard unforgettable for generations.

Find the Perfect Tree for Your Indiana Home or Business

At Ricci’s Landscape Management, we understand what your home or business means to you. We have over 30 years of experience helping clients make the perfect additions to their Indiana properties. From navigating city regulations — every tree on this list is permitted in Valparaiso — to designing ideal layouts, we are committed to making your dreams into reality.

Our service area covers the whole of Northwest Indiana, including Crown Point, Chesterton, Munster and Valparaiso. Contact our licensed landscape specialists today to discuss your vision for your property.

Contact RLM Today

Request a quote from RLM to discover how our exceptional landscape installation and maintenance services can transform your outdoor space. Let us help you bring your vision to life with our expertise and passion for landscaping.

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