Land is at a premium in Northern California, and most Sonoma County residential landscaping projects for Details Landscape Art involve smaller yards where the use of smaller patio trees is appropriate. Occasionally, however, we encounter larger country properties, estate lots, or pie-shaped cul-de-sac backyards where there is plenty of room to incorporate larger trees.
Chinese pistachio is a larger tree with brilliant fall color
These larger specimens can provide privacy, create welcome shade during hot summer afternoons, frame distant views, or simply serve as magnificent focal points within the landscape. When space permits, few landscape elements have a greater long-term impact than a thoughtfully selected tree.
When Larger Trees Make Sense
One of the most common mistakes we see is installing a tree that eventually outgrows its surroundings. A giant tree squeezed into a small residential yard will eventually dominate the landscape and create maintenance issues.
On larger properties, however, the opposite is often true. A small tree can appear insignificant and out of scale.
Larger trees are especially useful for:
- Creating privacy from neighboring properties
- Providing shade for homes and outdoor living areas
- Defining property boundaries
- Anchoring large planting areas
- Establishing a sense of permanence in the landscape
The key is matching the mature size of the tree to the available space.
Larger Trees – Evergreen Choices
Evergreen trees provide year-round screening and structure. Unlike deciduous trees, they retain their foliage throughout the year and create a permanent backdrop in the garden.
Some of our favorites include:
Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)
One of Northern California’s iconic trees. Redwoods grow much taller than they do wide and can reach eighty feet or more over time. Given adequate space, they make a magnificent statement.
Mayten Tree (Maytenus boaria ‘Green Showers’)
A graceful specimen tree with a soft, weeping habit and fascinating branching structure. It is slow growing but well worth the wait.
California Pepper Tree (Schinus molle)
An attractive evergreen with a flowing, weeping form reminiscent of a willow. Mature specimens develop tremendous character.
Cedar (Cedrus species)
Cedars are stately conifers with distinctive forms and a graceful weeping leader. They require room but reward homeowners with beauty and permanence.
Japanese Blueberry Tree (Elaeocarpus decipiens)
One of our favorite evergreen trees. Rich green foliage, excellent form, and relatively clean make it a versatile larger landscape tree.
Willow Leafed Peppermint (Eucalyptus nicholii)
A durable, drought-tolerant eucalyptus with fine textured foliage and a long lifespan.
Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum camphora)
A large shade tree with dense foliage and a broad canopy. Best reserved for properties with plenty of room.
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)
Although somewhat messy, the large tropical-looking leaves and interesting branching structure make this tree a favorite in the right setting.
Larger Trees – Deciduous Favorites
Deciduous trees provide seasonal interest that evergreen trees cannot match. Spring flowers, summer shade, spectacular fall color, and attractive winter branching all contribute to their appeal.
Scarlet Maple (Acer rubrum)
Both ‘October Glory’ and ‘Autumn Blaze’ are outstanding shade trees with brilliant fall color. These are among our favorite trees for autumn interest.
October Glory maple is a larger tree with fiery red foliage in autumn
Catalpa
A large shade tree producing impressive clusters of white flowers in late spring. It thrives in sunny locations and creates a dramatic presence in the landscape.
European Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
A majestic tree with dense shade and beautiful foliage. Our favorite variety is ‘Tricolor,’ which features green leaves edged with white and pink.
Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba)
One of the oldest tree species on earth. Ginkgo develops slowly but rewards patience with exceptional golden fall color.
Sour Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
A beautiful shade tree known for its excellent fall color and attractive form.
Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
One of the finest trees for fall color in Sonoma County. Brilliant shades of gold, orange, and red often light up the landscape in November.
Larger trees give gorgeous fall foliage
Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)
A classic tree with a graceful cascading habit. It performs best where adequate water is available.
Larger Trees for Shade, Privacy, and Scale
One advantage of larger trees is their ability to influence the entire landscape. A mature shade tree can cool a patio, soften the appearance of a large residence, provide privacy, and create habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Deciduous trees are particularly useful near southern and western exposures. They provide welcome shade during summer while allowing sunlight to enter the home after their leaves have dropped in winter.
Selecting the Right Larger Trees
Choosing the right tree involves much more than selecting one that looks attractive at the nursery.
Mature height, width, growth rate, water requirements, root characteristics, seasonal interest, and proximity to structures all need to be considered. A tree that is perfect for a large country property may be completely inappropriate for a small subdivision lot.
At Details Landscape Art, we carefully match tree selection to the size and character of each property. While most Sonoma County landscapes call for smaller patio trees, larger trees can become the defining feature of a spacious landscape when given the room they deserve.