Few trees announce spring quite like the saucer magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana). Those large, chalice-shaped blooms in shades of white, pink, and purple appear before the leaves, turning the bare tree into something almost otherworldly. Plant one in your garden, and it becomes the centerpiece the moment it blooms. That is why it is so…
The Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata) has earned a loyal following among homeowners, urban foresters, and landscape designers. It blooms in early summer with large, creamy-white flower clusters that fill the air with a faintly sweet fragrance. It tolerates cold winters. It handles urban pollution reasonably well. And compared to many ornamental trees, it asks…
Crepe myrtles are among the most beloved ornamental trees in warm-climate landscapes. Their long blooming season, stunning summer color, and relatively low-maintenance nature make them a popular choice for homeowners, landscapers, and city planners alike. Walk through almost any neighborhood in the American South, and you will likely spot at least one lining a driveway…
If you have ever seen a Kwanzan cherry tree in full bloom, you already know why it stops people in their tracks. The deep pink, double-layered flowers are simply unlike anything else in the spring garden. I remember the first time I encountered one lining a neighborhood street — I actually pulled over just to…
There is something almost magical about an eastern redbud tree in spring. Before a single leaf appears, the bare branches explode with clusters of bright magenta-pink flowers. It is one of the earliest and boldest signs that winter is finally over. I have seen many gardeners fall in love with this tree at first sight…
If you have been researching magnolia trees for a small garden or a tight landscape space, there is a good chance you have come across the names Jane and Ann. Both are compact, stunning, and highly regarded by gardeners across North America. I have seen this question come up repeatedly among gardeners who want the…
One of the most common mistakes people make when planting an ornamental tree is underestimating how large it will eventually grow. Trees that seem perfectly sized at the nursery can, over the years, outgrow their space — crowding structures or blocking windows. The Ann magnolia is one of the exceptions. It is a tree that…
Few trees command attention the way a magnolia does. Whether it is a towering southern magnolia draped in glossy leaves, or a compact saucer magnolia lighting up a spring garden with pink and white blooms, magnolias have a presence that is hard to match. These trees feel timeless, but they are not invincible. I have…
There is something deeply practical about growing your own firewood. You plant a tree. You tend it. And years later — sooner than most people expect — you are feeding a woodstove with wood you grew yourself, on your own land. The challenge most people run into is patience. Nobody wants to plant a tree…
If you have a poplar tree on your property — or access to one — you have probably wondered whether it is worth cutting, splitting, and stacking for winter. It is a fair question, and the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Poplar firewood has its place. It also has its…