Trees come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and even scents! Think about the kind of features you might like your tree to have -- do you want it to provide lots of shade? Great fall color? Edible fruit or fragrant flowers? Minimal maintenance? With these factors in mind, you'll be able to narrow down the perfect tree for your yard.
Below you’ll find a selection of trees that we recommend for our region.
Big Canopy Trees
Medium Canopy Trees
Small Canopy/Understory
(Ginkgo biloba; “Maidenhair Tree”)
(Liquidambar styraciflua)
(Nyssa sylvatica; “Black Tupelo”)
(Quercus imbricaria)
(Platanus x acerifolia)
(Quercus alba)
(Quercus muehlenbergii)
(Fagus sylvatica or grandifolia)
(Quercus shumardii)
(Quercus macrocarpa)
(Maclura pomifera; “Hedge apple”)
(Zelkova serrata)
(Cercidiphyllum japonicum)
(Carpinus caroliniana)
(Ostrya virginiana)
(Parrotia persica; “Persian Ironwood”)
(Oxydendrum arboreum)
(Ulmus propinqua ‘Emerald Sunshine’)
(Magnolia x soulangeana, Saucer Magnolia)
(Eucommia ulmoides)
(Syringa reticulata)
(Magnolia stellata)
(Chionanthus virginicus)
(Cornus kousa)
(Acer griseum)
(Amelanchier arborea)
(Cercis canadensis)
Ready to plant? Participate in TreesLouisville’s Tree Rebate Program and earn a $30 on the purchase of a shade tree.
Download our Tree Tag and use the National Tree Benefit Calculator to determine the value of your tree's ecosystem services.
Have you planted a new tree recently? Submit your tree to the Louisville Metro Tree Tracker to have it included in the city's official tree count!
It’s important to consider location and tree size when planting a tree to avoid interfering with overhead and underground utilities or building structures. For information on Right Tree, Right Place, check out LG&E-KU’s guide for tree planting, and always be sure to call BUD 811 to inspect for underground utilities. Trees are generally categorized into three size classes - A, B, and C. Class A trees are the largest, reaching 50+ feet at maturity. Class B trees generally grow between 25-50ft, and Class C trees are the smallest, staying under 25ft (making them great for small yards or below overhead utility lines).