Fall Tree Planting 2017

Are you planting a new tree this fall? Good for you! Fall is a GREAT time to plant a tree. Get that little guy in the ground as it enters dormancy (and wemean little: plant small trees!) and watch it take off in the spring!

Last year, we published a 3-part blog series about the ins-and-outs of tree planting: 1) 
Where and what to plant; 2) Finding quality nursery stock; and 3) How to plant it right! Still, we are asked frequently…

“What should I plant?” It’s a complicated question, as every landscape is unique, and every homeowner has different expectations for what their ideal tree would offer. Should it be tall or wide? “Tidy” and easy to maintain? Flowering or fruiting? Should it offer sparse or dense shade? Is it purely for beauty in the landscape or does it have a job, like shading a driveway or home?

Thankfully, the Nebraska Forest Service publishes an awesome list of suggested trees each year. This year, it’s 17 Trees for 2017. The trees from that list are shown below, along with their seeds/fruit, foliage and fall color. Click the tree name for more information!

New for 2017!
New to the list this year is the Turkish Filbert (aka Hazelnut) tree. You’ll go “nuts” for its great yellow fall color! It’s a medium/large deciduous tree with a unique pyramidal canopy shape that’s more tall than wide, making it a great choice for a landscape that is short on space. And yes – you can eat the nuts!


This list is not all-inclusive, of course, but it does provide great trees that are proven to thrive in our region and that are readily available. If you need suggestions on where to find these trees, we’ve got suggestions for some great local nurseries that provide high quality stock at an affordable price. Please avoid big box stores, however tempting the price tag may be. Don’t buy your tree where you buy your toilet!

17 Ideal Trees for Your Fall Landscape in 201717 Trees for 2017

Large Deciduous Trees (40’+ at maturity)

Bald Cypress tree with pyramidal canopy, green foliage, and autumn orange color, featuring close-up of leaves and seed cone, suitable for landscaping in fall.
Northern Catalpa tree with lush green foliage, long seed pods, and vibrant yellow fall color, showcasing its unique pyramidal canopy shape, suitable for smaller landscapes.
Kentucky Coffeetree showcasing its distinctive leaves and seasonal color changes, including green foliage, yellow autumn leaves, and seed pods, highlighting its suitability for fall planting in landscapes.
Elm tree showcasing vibrant yellow fall foliage, close-up of leaves, and nuts, highlighting its suitability for medium-sized landscapes and edible nuts.
Turkish Filbert tree showcasing vibrant yellow fall foliage and edible nuts, ideal for compact landscapes.
Eastern Hackberry tree in a landscape setting, featuring green leaves, textured bark, and autumn foliage.
Large Sugar Maple tree with green leaves, close-up of seeds, detailed leaf structure, and vibrant fall foliage.
Chinkapin Oak tree with green foliage, acorns, and autumn leaves showcasing vibrant colors, representing suitable tree options for planting in fall.
Bur Oak tree with leaves and acorns, showcasing foliage variations, relevant to local tree planting recommendations for enhancing landscapes.
English Oak tree, leaves, acorns, and autumn foliage, showcasing characteristics of large deciduous trees recommended for planting in the region.
American Sycamore tree with distinctive bark, leaves, and seasonal color changes, representing recommended large deciduous trees for planting in the region.

Small to Medium Deciduous Trees
Shantung Maple tree showcasing vibrant fall foliage, close-up of leaves, and overall tree structure, relevant to tree planting recommendations for fall landscaping.
Miyabe Maple tree with green leaves, seed pods, and autumn foliage, showcasing its growth and seasonal color changes, relevant for tree planting recommendations.
Gambel Oak tree in various stages: mature tree, leaf close-up, acorns, and fall foliage, highlighting its suitability for planting in local landscapes.
Japanese Tree Lilac in various stages, showcasing its flowering branches, green leaves, seed pods, and mature tree form, relevant for tree planting recommendations.

Evergreen Trees
Concolor Fir tree showcasing its conical shape, needle-like leaves, and mature cones, relevant to tree planting recommendations for fall.
Black Hills Spruce tree in landscape, close-up of needles and cones, suitable for planting in fall, recommended by Arbor Aesthetics for local tree care.
Ponderosa Pine tree images showcasing its tall stature, needle clusters, and pine cones, relevant for tree planting recommendations in fall.

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