Best Trees to Plant in Illinois for Shade, Privacy, and Color

Best Shade Trees to Plant in Illinois

Red Maple (Acer rubrum)

The Red Maple is a fantastic choice for Illinois homeowners looking for an all-season tree. It grows quickly, provides ample summer shade, and showcases stunning red leaves in fall. Its adaptability to different soil conditions makes it perfect for a range of Illinois yards.

Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)

Native to Illinois, the Bur Oak is a durable and long-living shade tree. Its wide canopy offers generous coverage in the summer, and its deep roots make it drought-tolerant. Bur Oaks also support wildlife, making them a great ecological choice for any yard or landscape.

Honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis)

The Honeylocust is prized for its filtered shade, which allows grass and plants to grow beneath it. Its lacy foliage and adaptability to urban or rural settings make it a popular choice among clients at Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery. This tree is also low-maintenance and resists many common pests and diseases.

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)

Another excellent shade tree, the Sugar Maple, is known for its vibrant fall colors and sturdy structure. While it prefers well-drained soil, with proper care, it becomes a beautiful staple in many Illinois landscapes. Its large size makes it ideal for larger yards or public spaces.

American Elm (Ulmus americana ‘Princeton’)

The American Elm, especially newer resistant varieties like ‘Princeton,’ is making a strong comeback. Known for its arching canopy and large size, it adds elegance and substantial shade. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery carries Dutch Elm-resistant varieties that perform well in Illinois climates.

Best Trees for Privacy in Illinois

Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

The Eastern White Pine is a fast-growing evergreen that acts as a natural privacy screen. Its soft needles and towering height ensure year-round coverage and beauty. It’s one of the most requested privacy trees from the team at Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery. It also performs well in mixed screens and windbreaks.

Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

If you’re looking for a dense, columnar tree for tight spaces, arborvitae is your best option. Often used to create formal hedges, arborvitaes grow quickly and maintain their shape with minimal pruning. They are available in several varieties, including Emerald Green and Techny, which are especially winter-hardy in Illinois.

Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

This fast-growing evergreen features dark green needles and sweeping branches. It is highly resistant to wind and drought once established, making it ideal for both residential and commercial properties. Norway Spruce trees are also effective at dampening noise, an added benefit for suburban homes near busy roads.

American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)

For a smaller privacy tree with year-round charm, the American Hornbeam works well. It’s both shade-tolerant and attractive, with smooth gray bark and layered branches. While not as fast-growing as evergreens, it adds character along with privacy and fits beautifully into mixed borders or naturalized plantings.

Green Giant Arborvitae

Green Giant Arborvitae is another highly popular and effective privacy tree in Illinois. It grows quickly, reaching heights up to 30 feet, and forms a dense, uniform screen. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery often uses it in designs where fast-growing, low-maintenance privacy is needed.

Best Trees for Seasonal and Year-Round Color

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

The Serviceberry offers four seasons of interest. You’ll see white spring flowers, edible summer berries, brilliant fall foliage, and smooth gray bark in winter. It’s a great ornamental tree for tighter spaces or smaller yards in Illinois. Birds also love the berries, making it beneficial for local wildlife.

Crabapple (Malus spp.)

Known for their spring bloom, crabapples add bursts of color that attract pollinators. Modern varieties resist disease and offer colorful fruit and foliage throughout the year. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery frequently recommends crabapples for both urban and suburban settings, especially where year-round interest is desired.

Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)

This unique, native tree stands out for its rugged winter form, fern-like leaves, and yellow fall color. The Kentucky Coffeetree is hearty and low-maintenance, making it a beautiful and practical option for open landscapes. It works well in both city and countryside environments.

Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)

If you’re looking for a late-blooming tree that dazzles with creamy white flowers in early summer, the Japanese Tree Lilac is a solid choice. Its fragrant flowers and tidy structure draw attention without overwhelming your yard. It’s excellent for planting along driveways, patios, or small landscapes.

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

The Bald Cypress is a unique deciduous conifer that turns a rich orange or cinnamon brown in fall. It grows well in both wet and dry soils and adds striking texture to any Illinois yard. Its feathery foliage and upright form are a favorite among landscape designers at Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery.

Why Work with Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery?

When it comes to choosing the best trees to plant in Illinois, experience matters. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery has been serving Chicagoland and surrounding areas with expert landscaping and nursery services since 1966. With over 150 acres of nursery production in Long Grove and Wadsworth, Illinois, the company offers high-quality trees grown to thrive in local soils and climates.

Whether you are designing a new landscape or updating your current yard, Poul’s offers personalized consultations, tree selection, and full-service planting and care. From shade trees to seasonal color and everything in between, their knowledgeable team is prepared to help you achieve your outdoor vision.

Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery also provides maintenance tips and seasonal care guidance so your trees continue growing strong year after year. Their passion for horticulture and customer service makes them a reliable partner in any landscaping project.

Tips for Successful Tree Planting in Illinois

Understand Your Local Climate and Soil

Illinois weather can swing between hot, humid summers and freezing winters. Make sure the trees you choose are USDA Zone 5 or Zone 6 hardy, depending on your location. A soil test may also help reveal if you need to amend clay-heavy or overly sandy soils. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery can help you assess your site conditions and recommend trees that will perform well long-term.

Choose the Right Location

When planting for shade, privacy, or color, consider how the sun moves across your property. Space trees based on their mature size, not their size at planting. This prevents crowding and competition as they grow. Pay attention to power lines, driveways, and building foundations to avoid future interference.

Plant During the Right Season

The best time to plant trees in Illinois is either spring or fall. These cooler months help reduce transplant shock and allow the roots to establish before extreme heat or cold sets in. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery recommends planning in advance and booking professional planting services early in the season.

Water and Mulch Properly

Even drought-tolerant trees need consistent moisture during the first few years. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base (but not touching the trunk) to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Use a slow, deep watering method to encourage strong root systems. Poul’s also provides mulching and irrigation advice as part of their care packages.

Monitor for Pests and Diseases

Keeping trees healthy also means watching for signs of stress or disease. Leaf discoloration, early leaf drop, or unusual growths can signal problems. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery offers diagnosis and treatment services along with seasonal maintenance to keep your landscaping investment safe.

Enhance Your Outdoor Space with Expert Help

If you’re unsure where to begin, Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery can simplify the process from start to finish. As a family-owned business rooted in local knowledge, Poul’s provides tree selections you can trust and landscaping services tailored to your home’s unique characteristics.

Introducing shade or privacy with the right trees can cool your yard, reduce energy bills, and offer a peaceful retreat from noise and wind. Adding colorful, native species like red maple, crabapple, and serviceberry can elevate your home’s curb appeal and ecological footprint.

By working with experienced professionals, you gain access to proper planting techniques, the best species for your location, and ongoing care that ensures long-term tree health. Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery is committed to making your outdoor space both functional and beautiful.

Conclusion: The Best Trees to Plant in Illinois

No matter your landscaping goal—shade, privacy, or vibrant all-season color—the right trees make all the difference. From native oaks and maples to flowering ornamentals, Illinois offers a rich selection of species that thrive in the state’s climate and soils. With guidance from Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery, you gain access to premium nursery stock and expert advice rooted in over half a century of horticultural experience.

Whether you own a large property in the suburbs or a quaint lot in the city, there’s a perfect tree (or several) waiting to transform your outdoor space. Invest in your yard’s future by choosing the best trees to plant in Illinois, and let Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery help bring your vision to life.