The Best Trees To Plant To Form An Arch Over Your Driveway

Tree arches are welcoming and make homes look more luxurious. However, not all beautiful trees have the potential to develop full canopies that will entirely envelop the driveway. To get the full effect, trees need to have wide canopies and branches that grow horizontally rather than at upward or downward angles. Here are a few varieties that will form beautiful arches over the pavement when they are fully mature.

Red Maple

Red Maple (Acer rubrum) trees are classic shade trees for arching over city streets and are ideal for long driveways. They are fast growing trees that can get to be about 75 feet tall and have spreads of 25 to 30 feet. Popular in the eastern half of the United States, they are suitable for a range of soil types and do equally well in sun or shade. Their roots are not aggressive, but they are large, so they should not be planted too close to the pavement.

Shumard Oak

The Shumard Oak (Fagaceae quercus shumardii) is a magnificent tree that can grow to almost 100 feet tall. It's native to the southern states but also grows well in the Midwest and the Great Lakes area. It likes sun and open areas, and it develops a dense and far-reaching canopy that can cover a wide driveway beautifully. It produces acorns every two years and develops beautiful bright red foliage in the fall.

Honeylocust

The Honeylocust tree (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a good choice for homeowners who want trees over the driveway but who don't want excessive shade. Although it can spread up to 70 feet, it has very delicate leaves that allow sunlight to filter through its canopy. This makes it ideal for homeowners who want to maintain a lawn or garden alongside the driveway or who want to keep the area bright and open. It can grow in poor soil and its strong branches are resistant to damage from storms and heavy snow, making it adaptable to many environments and climates.

American Beech

The American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) tree also thrives in a wide range of growing conditions. Its foliage is dense so it will completely shade a driveway. It has long, strong branches and will grow up to 60 feet wide. Its unique smooth, grey bark and yellow fall foliage can make a home stand out in a neighborhood.

An arch of mature trees covering a driveway is attractive, stately and dramatic. It's beautiful in the spring and summer when the leaves are green, and in the fall the colors produce a striking landscaping element. If you want to make a statement with the entryway to your home, ask a professional landscaper about planting these tree varieties on both sides of your driveway. They can place them so that they will create the desired effect when the trees are fully mature.


Share