Quick Answer: Best Trees to Plant in Kentucky
The best trees to plant in Kentucky are Japanese tree lilac, black gum, lacebark pine, American holly, American plum, eastern red cedar, Kentucky coffee tree, pawpaw, persimmon, pecan, red mulberry, river birch, serviceberry, sugar maple, and honeylocust. These trees are usually planted in the spring and fall to well establish themselves.
Are you interested in planting trees in Kentucky home spaces?
Then, check out this guide to learn about the list of best trees that will do well in the state.
Scroll down for further information!
Contents
- Quick Answer: Best Trees to Plant in Kentucky
- Best Trees to Plant in Kentucky
- What Is The Easiest Growing Tree In Kentucky?
- What Is The Best Time To Plant Trees In Kentucky?
- FAQs
- Quick Recap: Top Trees to Plant In Kentucky
- Bottom line
Best Trees to Plant in Kentucky
Kentucky is blessed with a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Its climatic conditions and soil types give lots of trees to choose from.
It is preferable to plant different deciduous and evergreen trees that grow naturally in the area.
Here is the list of best trees that do well in Kentucky home yards.
1. Japanese Tree Lilac
Attractive Flowering Tree Of Kentucky
Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata) is a small to medium deciduous tree of Kentucky that is popular for its fragrant blossoms.
Why Grow Japanese Tree Lilac?
Japanese tree lilac can serve as a landscape specimen in Kentucky. It is relatively trouble-free and is bothered by fewer pests and diseases.
It is safe to grow near a deck due to its compact form and is resistant to powdery mildew. It attracts beneficial pollinators to your yard.
Maintenance And Care
Japanese tree lilac prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It prefers balanced fertilizer every spring and maintenance pruning. It may be affected by borers and scales.
Check out this video to know more about growing Japanese tree lilac:
2. Black Gum
Low-maintenance Tree Of Kentucky
Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) are beautiful deciduous landscape tree of Kentucky with dense foliage and a conical crown.
Why Grow Black Gum?
Black gum has great ornamental value with brilliant fall colors. It can tolerate extreme climatic conditions and is resistant to drought.
It can adapt to different soil types and requires little care once established. It may be bothered by fewer pests and insects.
Maintenance And Care
Black gum prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. Feed the tree using a slow-release fertilizer annually. It requires minimal pruning and may be susceptible to leaf spots, cankers, and scale.
Here is a useful video on growing black gum:
3. Lacebark Pine
Lacebark pine (Pinus bungeana) is a hardy and low-maintenance tree that is preferred by Kentucky home gardeners for its attractive mottled bark.
Why Grow Lacebark Pine?
Lacebark pine is an excellent shade tree in Kentucky. It requires low maintenance once established. Its attractive bark provides all-year-round visual interest to the garden.
It is tolerant to drought and less bothered by common pests and diseases.
Maintenance And Care
Lacebark pine prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil and full sun. It may need light feeding of balanced fertilizer in the early spring.
It requires light pruning for aesthetic looks. Watch out for aphids, borers, caterpillars, and mealybugs.
Click this video for detailed information on growing pine from seeds:
4. American Holly
American Holly (Ilex opaca) is a popular broadleaved evergreen holiday tree of Kentucky used for its foliage and berries.
Why Grow American Holly?
American holly is a widely used landscape tree in Kentucky homes. Its berries attract many bird species to your yard. It can tolerate a wide range of soil varieties and conditions.
Maintenance And Care
American holly prefers moist, neutral to acidic soils and full sun to partial shade. It may benefit from acidifying fertilizer each spring and maintenance pruning to improve its shape or remove dead or diseased branches.
It is susceptible to spider mites, whitefly, and scale.
Here is a useful video on growing American Holly in Kentucky:
5. American Plum
American plum (Prunus Americana) is a small to large deciduous tree that is preferred by Kentucky home growers for its attractive spring flowers and edible fruits.
Why Grow American Plum?
American plums are attractive fruit trees that can thrive in Kentucky’s climatic conditions. In addition, it gives a load of versatile fruits for the family.
It can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. It helps in controlling soil erosion if planted in shelter belts.
Maintenance And Care
American plums prefer nutrient-rich, deep, well-drained, and moist soils. It can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. A few pests affecting these trees are brown rot, bacterial spot, black knot, and plum pockets.
You may watch this video for tips on growing American plum:
6. Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus vinginiana) are medium-sized evergreen trees of Kentucky with a pyramid shape and needle-like foliage.
Why Grow Eastern Red Cedar?
Eastern red cedar is a long-lived tree that can adapt to the climate and soil conditions of Kentucky. It can be added as ornamentals or as a windbreak.
It is resistant to drought, heat, and cold. Also, it has wildlife value.
Maintenance And Care
Eastern red cedar prefers loose, fertile, well-drained soil and full sun. It can be propagated via cuttings or seeds.
It seldom requires fertilization or heavy pruning. It can be affected by cedar-apple rust and spider mites.
You may watch this video for tips on growing eastern red cedar:
7. Kentucky Coffee Tree
The Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) is a tall majestic tree that is popular as an ornamental landscape tree in Kentucky’s larger yards.
Why Grow Kentucky Coffee Tree?
The Kentucky coffee tree is easy to grow and long-lived tree that can adapt to a wide range of soil conditions in Kentucky. It requires little care and attention once established.
It is drought tolerant once established and doesn’t have a real disease or pest issue that you have to worry about.
Maintenance And Care
Kentucky coffee trees may thrive in sandy loamy soil and full sun. It can be propagated from root cuttings.
Feed the trees with fertilizing products to promote woody growth and prune lightly to promote strong structure. Leaf litter can be a problem for these trees.
Check out this video for features of the Kentucky coffee tree:
8. Pawpaw
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a native deciduous fruit tree of Kentucky that is popular among home growers for the largest berry.
Why Grow Pawpaw?
Pawpaw is hardy and easy-to-grow tree preferred for its ornamental characteristics and tasty fruits. It adds tropical flavor to your garden.
It is relatively trouble-free and resistant to most pests or diseases.
Maintenance And Care
Pawpaw prefers fertile, moist, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic and full sun or shade. It requires mulching and pruning of suckers.
Fertilize the trees twice a year. One of the troublesome pests is the pawpaw peduncle borer.
The complete growing guide of pawpaw is covered here:
9. Pecan
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) are tall trees that grow well in Kentucky home yards with an open, spreading crown and versatile, edible nuts.
Why Grow Pecan?
Pecan trees flourish in Kentucky due to favorable climatic conditions. It makes a beautiful landscape tree for larger spaces and provides shade during the hot, summer months.
It gives edible nuts to the family.
Maintenance And Care
Pecan trees thrive in rich, well-drained soil. Feed with a 10-10-10 fertilizer twice every year and mulch around the base.
Prune the large, low-lying branches to grow healthy. One of the troublesome diseases is pecan scab fungus that affects the tree.
You may watch this video for tips on growing pecans from seeds to harvest:
10. Persimmon
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is an easy-to-grow native fruit tree of Kentucky that is valued for both edible fruits and wood.
Why Grow Persimmon?
Persimmons are hardy and adapt to different soil conditions and pH situations in Kentucky. It can tolerate different growing conditions, including poor sites and river bottoms.
It is resistant to most pests and diseases. Its easy care makes it suitable for amateur gardeners.
Maintenance And Care
Persimmons prefer moist, well-drained, sandy soils and full sun. It can be propagated from seeds, root cuttings, suckers, and grafting.
It requires regular pruning to keep the trees healthy. It is susceptible to vascular wilt and tent caterpillars.
Click this video for additional information on growing American persimmons:
11. Red Mulberry
Red mulberry (Morus rubra) is a native deciduous tree found in Kentucky home gardens that are grown for shade and fruits.
Why Grow Red Mulberry?
Red mulberry trees grow quicky and provide shade to your Kentucky yards. It may survive drought and extended flooding once established.
It may adapt to different soil conditions and pH. It requires low-maintenance once established.
Maintenance And Care
Red mulberry grows in full sun but may tolerate partial shade and well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
It requires pruning to maintain height for the fruit harvest and may seldom need additional fertilizer. A few common diseases are powdery mildew and cankers.
Check out this video to grow mulberries in containers:
12. River Birch
River birch (Betula nigra) is an attractive and widely distributed tree of Kentucky with attractive, cinnamon-colored peeling bark.
Why Grow River Birch?
River birch is a hardy tree that is attractive in Kentucky yards. It can be used as a screen or shade tree.
It is adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of environments. It is bothered by fewer pests and diseases.
Maintenance And Care
River birch prefers moist, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 or less and full sun to partial shade. Surround the tree with mulch to keep the roots wet and cool. It can be troubled by leaf spots, birch leaf miners, and aphids.
You may watch this video if interested in the features of river birch:
13. Serviceberry
Serviceberries (Amelanchier spp) are native small trees or large shrubs that make great landscape trees in Kentucky due to the vibrant fall colors.
Why Grow Serviceberry?
Serviceberry is easy to grow a tree that can add ornamental value to the garden with its white blossoms and fall colors.
It can adapt to different soil types and conditions. It has a tolerance to drought and is perfect for small yards.
Maintenance And Care
Serviceberry prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil and full sun but may tolerate partial shade. It requires a light dressing of manure every autumn and cosmetic pruning.
Pay close attention to rust, leaf blight, fire blight, powdery mildew, and insects.
Here is a useful video for additional information on growing serviceberry:
14. Sugar Maple
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is a perfect addition to your Kentucky landscape with its dense crown for sweet syrup and lumber.
Why Grow Sugar Maple?
Sugar maple adds stunning beauty to your landscape. It can thrive in different soil conditions and types. It provides excellent shade all year round and requires little care once established.
Maintenance And Care
Sugar maple grows well in full sun and deep, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 to 6.8. It can be propagated from seeds, cuttings, or grafting.
It seldom requires fertilizer if the soil is rich in nutrients. It can be troubled by cosmetic diseases, including root rot, tar spot, and powdery mildew.
15. Honeylocust
Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) are native, deciduous trees that are most frequently found in central and western Kentucky.
Why Grow Honeylocust?
Honeylocust is a winter hardy, long-lived tree that offers light shade due to its fine-textured tree. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and types.
It is fast-growing and adapts to different urban conditions, including drought, pollution, salt, and heat.
Maintenance And Care
Honeylocust thrives in rich, moist bottomlands in full sun. The established trees seldom require fertilization but need little pruning to remove dead or diseased branches.
It is susceptible to leaf hoppers, cankers, and powdery mildew.
Here is a useful video on growing honeylocust trees from seeds:
What Is The Easiest Growing Tree In Kentucky?
The easiest-growing tree in Kentucky is the Japanese tree lilac.
Many cultivars of Japanese tree lilac are adaptable to different ranges of soil types and conditions in Kentucky. It may relatively tolerate drought.
It can be grown as a landscape specimen tree and brightens your yard with its pretty blossoms.
Also, its small size makes it ideal for smaller yards. The other trees that can be grown with little care are black gum and lacebark pine.
What Is The Best Time To Plant Trees In Kentucky?
The best time to plant trees in Kentucky is when the trees are dormant after leaves drop in the fall and spring.
Conifers are preferably planted in the spring (March or April) whereas both conifers and broadleaved trees can be started in the fall (November to December).
It will help in reducing transplant shock, slow growth, reduced vigor, or death. You may place two or three inches of organic material to reduce frost-heaving.
FAQs
Eastern redbud is an attractive specimen tree of Kentucky that offers rosy, pink flowers in spring. The different cultivars that do well are flame, Rubye Atkinson, and Tennessee pink. It grows well in many soil types that are well-drained.
Different varieties of apples grow well in Kentucky due to its consistent rainfall and warm summers. Gala, red delicious, fuji, and enterprise apples can adapt to the climatic conditions of Kentucky. These varieties are resistant to most diseases and pests.
Kentucky’s climate is well suited for growing different nut trees, including black walnut, butternut, Persian walnut, chestnut, hazelnut, hican, hickory, and pecan. It grows well in deep, well-drained soil with medium to good fertility and soil pH of 6.5 to 6.8.
Quick Recap: Top Trees to Plant In Kentucky
Here is a quick recap of the top trees that can adapt to Kentucky’s growing conditions:
| Trees | Why Grow? |
|---|---|
| Japanese tree lilac | 1. Attractive deciduous flowering tree of Kentucky 2. Relatively troublefree and bothered by fewer pests |
| Black gum | 1. Adaptable to different soil types and is trouble-free 2. Requires little maintenance once established |
| Lacebark pine | 1. Hardy and low-maintenance tree of Kentucky 2. Bothered by fewer pests and diseases |
| American holly | 1. Landscape specimen tree of Kentucky 2. Tolerates different soil conditions |
| American plum | 1. Native, easy-to-grow fruit tree of Kentucky 2. Adaptable to different soil types |
| Eastern red cedar | 1. Grown as a specimen plant or windbreak 2. Tolerant of drought, heat, and cold |
| Kentucky coffee tree | 1. Bothered by fewer pests and diseases 2. Easy to grow and requires little care once established |
| Pawpaw | 1. Hardy and easy-to-grow fruit tree of Kentucky 2. Relatively trouble-free |
| Pecan | 1. Large nut tree of Kentucky suitable for providing shade 2. Provides landscape beauty and edible nuts |
| Persimmon | 1. Adaptable and hardy fruit trees of Kentucky 2. Tolerate different growing conditions and relatively trouble-free |
| Red mulberry | 1. Grown for both shade and edible berries 2. Adaptable to different climate and soil conditions |
| River birch | 1. Hardy and long-lived shade tree of Kentucky 2. Suitable for different growing conditions and soil types |
| Serviceberry | 1. Perfect for smaller yards and adds landscape beauty 2. Tolerate drought and requires little care |
| Sugar maple | 1. Grown for landscape beauty and edible syrup 2. Requires little care once established |
| Honeylocust | 1. Fast-growing deciduous tree used for providing shade 2. Adapts to different urban growing conditions |
Bottom line
I hope this guide has provided you with certain pointers in shortlisting the trees suitable for Kentucky home yards.
I am interested to hear about your suggestions for growing different trees in the area.
Do share the guide with your friends and family to know more!