Despite their many joys, landscaping and gardening have unique difficulties. Besides finding suitable trees and shrubs for visual appeal, you also need to find the right ones for your climate and area. Trees for hillsides, in particular, have their challenges.
A hillside with trees helps prevent problems like soil erosion, adding another layer of security to your home. However, some trees and shrubs are better for steep slopes than others.
Below, we explore three types of trees for hillside properties to plant. To make the process easier, contact an expert tree service in Tampa, FL.
The Best Trees by Categories
Instead of exploring individual trees, let’s break down trees by functionality. When picking trees for hillsides, look for these characteristics:
- Erosion control
- Trees that provide ample shade
- Ornamental trees and shrubs that look great while being hardy
1. Trees for Erosion Control
When managing a hillside with trees, erosion control is essential. Ideally, any shrubs or trees you plant on an incline should have massive root networks. These extensive root networks can aid your property with erosion control.
Hillsides are more exposed to the following elements:
- Rain
- Heavy winds
- Dirt slides
- Other weather events
These issues increase erosion, and signs of an eroded hill include exposed tree roots, loose soil, and exposed rocks. The species of trees you should consider for erosion control are:
- Red osier dogwood
- Chokecherry
- Creeping juniper
- Douglas fir
These species feature a hardiness level of four or five and are excellent for minimizing erosion.
2. Shade Trees
Trees that provide plenty of shade are must-haves for nearly every property. Hills or slopes that see lots of sunlight especially need shade trees.
The sun’s UV rays can quickly dry out a hillside, leading to dead grass. Besides looking unattractive, a slope can take a long time to recover from dead grass. Furthermore, dry soil can easily fall victim to dirt and mudslides during an event like flash flooding.
Strong shade trees property owners can plant are:
- Red maple
- Sugar maple
- River birch
- Tulip tree
- White oak
- Ginkgo
Of course, shade trees can also provide you and visitors more comfort, especially during those hot summer months. In addition, shade trees can reduce the damage sustained from a severe storm.
3. Trees for Visual Appeal
Of course, no landscaping project is complete without ornamental shrubs and trees. Intermingling ornamental shrubs or tiny trees can boost any slope’s visual aesthetic. The right species can add extra color and maybe even some fruits.
Some trees and shrubs to consider planting are:
- Black cherry
- Dwarf forsythia
- Black walnut
- Chenault coralberry
- Cutleaf stephanandra
- Golden St. John’s wort
What About Evergreen Versus Deciduous Trees?
When searching for new trees for hillsides, you might come across the terms evergreen and deciduous. The main difference between these two types of trees is that evergreen trees retain their leaves year-round. Deciduous trees, however, lose their leaves every autumn.
Deciduous trees are better for erosion control as they grow much quicker and tend to have thicker root tangles. On the other hand, evergreen trees can provide more consistent shade year-round while maintaining their color.
When deciding to plant evergreen or deciduous trees for their hillsides, many homeowners like to explore both options. Regardless, the right arborist team can help you decide what trees and shrubs make the most sense for your property.
Explore Other Trees by Calling Arborist Aboard
Choosing suitable trees for hillsides can be an exciting but challenging process. Whether you need help deciding what trees to select or require other services like the removal of trees, our team can assist.
Residents of Tampa, FL, can learn about the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification and more by calling Arborist Aboard at (813) 920-4410!
