5 BFT Favorite Trees to Plant Now

Fall and Winter months are the ideal time to plant trees in your landscape.

“The cooler months give tree roots time to establish before the demands of Spring leaf-flush and Summer heat put stress on new plantings.” says BFT Land Design landscape architect Ed Tessier. “We like to say trees and large shrubs take the first year to sleep, the second year to creep, and the third year to leap.”

Consider planting any of these 5 BFT Favorites now to give them time to enjoy a long Winter’s nap before Spring.

Sugar Maple - Acer saccharum

Large tree with rounded, dense crown and striking, multicolored foliage in autumn. Sugar maple’s landscape size is 60-75 ft. but this popular hardwood can grow much taller in the wild. Beautiful fall foliage.

Fun Fact: The Sugar Maple is Canada's national tree, as represented by the maple leaf on the Canadian flag.

Ironwood/Parrot Tree

*Parrotia Persica*

Ironwood or Parrot Tree - Parrotia Persica

The Parrotia or Persian ironwood is a small upright tree or large, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub. It is related to witch-hazel. The oblong green leaves turn various shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall, often persisting into the winter months. The mature bark exfoliates to patches of green, tan, and white. This durable tree is beautiful in every season, as its foliage, branch structure and bark are all exceptional.

Fun Fact: The Parrotia species was named by Cal Anton von Meyer to honor his predecessor at the University of Dorpat, German naturalist Georg Friedrich Parrot who botanized in the Alborz on a mountaineering expedition in the 1830s.

River Birch - Betula nigra

River birch is a popular, fast-growing native tree for the home landscape. Attractive salmon-pink to reddish-brown bark exfoliates to reveal lighter inner bark. Dark green foliage turns a beautiful buttery yellow in the fall.

Fun Fact: Native Americans used River Birch medicinally to treat dysentery and colds.

Tulip Poplar - Liriodendron tulipifera

The tuliptree is one of the largest native trees in North America. It is a member of the magnolia family and has distinct tulip shaped flowers. The showy, goblet shaped, orange-yellow-green flowers appear in late spring after the leaves form. The cone-like seed clusters sit upright on the branches. The golden-yellow fall color of the tuliptree makes this an excellent choice for large landscapes.

Fun Fact: The Tulip Poplar is the state tree of Tennessee.

Sycamore - Platanus occidentalis

The sycamore is a grand, stately shade tree for a larger site. It has broad green leaves but is most recognizable by its peeling bark, which has patches of white and gray. Sycamores have very high wildlife value, attracting a wide range of birds that use the tree for many purposes.

Fun Fact: The Sycamore tree can easily live 200 years. There are several American Sycamores that have been reported to be 500 and 600 years old!