Planting trees in Arkansas is more than just beautifying your yard—it’s about selecting the perfect trees that thrive in the state’s climate and make a real difference in your environment. Whether planting to control erosion, combat air pollution, or add visual interest to your garden, choosing the suitable tree species can transform your landscape.
With Arkansas’ hot summers and rich, diverse soil types, selecting trees that handle well-drained soil, full sun, and drought conditions is critical. From flowering trees like the Redbud to fruit trees like the Stella Cherry, Arkansas offers many choices for both practical and ornamental purposes.
It’s essential to consider the unique benefits trees bring to their surroundings. For example, planting trees can help cut summer utility bills by offering shade and cooling your home’s exterior. Additionally, trees help control noise pollution and filter the air, absorbing carbon dioxide and even airborne dust—perfect for those living near a busy street.
But don’t just stop at the practical! These trees also bring seasonal beauty with springtime color, rich fall foliage, and fragrant blossoms that make any garden feel magical.
So whether you’re in Little Rock or closer to the Ouachita Mountains, there’s a new tree waiting to transform your yard into an oasis. Looking for large shade trees like the Wireless Zelkova or a deciduous tree like the Chinese Pistache that adds autumn color? There’s something for every space and style.
So why not celebrate Arbor Day by picking the perfect tree for your Arkansas home and contributing to a healthier, greener environment?
Best Trees to Plant in Arkansas
1. Stella Cherry Tree
The Stella Cherry Tree is a fan-favorite among fruit trees because it’s self-pollinating, making it easier to grow if space is limited. With its sweet, dark red cherries that produce fruit in just 3-5 years, it’s a fantastic addition to any Arkansas garden. This flowering tree also puts on a beautiful display with white blossoms in spring, offering visual appeal and practicality for gardeners planting trees.
It is recommended that these trees be planted in areas with full sun for the healthiest plant growth. When planting, dig the hole as deep as the root ball and three times as wide to accommodate the tree’s young root system.
Mulching around the tree helps retain soil moisture, which is essential for bare-root trees.
2. Amberglow Redwood Tree
The Amberglow Redwood is a striking deciduous tree that brings year-round color to your landscape. Known for its rapid growth and beautiful fall foliage, this tree is perfect for providing shade and visual appeal to any Arkansas yard. Its pyramidal shape and deep, reddish-orange leaves in autumn make it a top choice for tree species that stand out.
Plant this shade tree in well-drained soil and ensure it gets plenty of sunlight to maintain its vibrant colors. While it is relatively drought-resistant, regular watering, especially in the first few years, will help it establish a robust root system. It’s an easy-care tree that fits into a variety of landscapes.
3. Wireless Zelkova Tree
Due to its shorter height and broad, horizontal branches, the Wireless Zelkova is a great shade tree for small spaces and areas with power lines. This deciduous tree offers brilliant red fall colors and a vase-like form that adds visual interest to streetscapes or patios.
The Wireless Zelkova thrives in various soil types if it receives ample sunlight (6-8 hours a day). For the best results, water it regularly during its initial growth phase. It’s a hardy choice for Arkansas trees, requiring minimal pruning once established(
4. Chinese Pistache Tree
The Chinese Pistache Tree is a star among deciduous trees, especially if you’re looking for something that screams “fall foliage!” This tree is known for its stunning display of orange, red, and yellow leaves in autumn, making it an excellent addition for anyone who wants a splash of color in their yard. Once established, it’s also incredibly drought-tolerant, making it a perfect fit for Arkansas gardens that get hot summers.
It’s a shade tree, too, meaning it looks good and helps cut summer utility bills by offering cooling relief. When you plant trees like the Pistache, remember to give them bright sun. As for care, dig a planting hole three to five times wider than the root ball to give those roots room to stretch. Tree shelters can help protect the young Pistache as it gets established.
5. Brightwell Blueberry
The Brightwell Blueberry is a dream come true for berry lovers. This fruit tree (okay, technically a shrub) is a vigorous grower and produces loads of medium to large sweet berries every year. Perfect for making jams, pies, or just snacking on fresh! The Brightwell can yield up to 15 pounds of blueberries per plant each season.
As a rabbiteye blueberry variety, it suits the Arkansas climate and resists pests and diseases.
One tip: Brightwell Blueberries aren’t self-pollinating, so plant multiple shrubs or a good pollinator nearby for a bumper crop. Dig a planting hole deep enough to accommodate its roots and moisten the soil for those juicy berries.
6. ‘Pink Pom Poms’ Redbud Tree
The ‘Pink Pom Poms’ Redbud Tree is a showstopper among flowering trees. Its eye-catching double lavender flowers add a whimsical touch to any garden. Its heart-shaped leaves bring extra charm; when it blooms, it’s a guaranteed conversation starter. This tree loves rich soil and partial to full sun—perfect for those shady areas in your yard that still get a little light.
The planting process for this tree is easy: dig a planting hole twice as wide as the root ball to give the roots room to spread. For best results, mulch around the tree to retain soil moisture and regularly water during its first growing season to help it establish.
7. Red Rose of Sharon Althea Tree
The Red Rose of Sharon Althea Tree is a deciduous flowering tree that’s an excellent fit for Arkansas gardens due to its ability to thrive in full sun. Known for its stunning red blooms, this tree can add vibrant color to your landscape from late summer through fall. It’s also a hardy tree that can withstand dry conditions once established, making it an excellent low-maintenance option.
Dig a planting hole wide enough for the tree’s root system, and mulch around the base to help keep the roots cool and retain soil moisture. As with all young trees, regular watering in the first year will help it establish itself.
Conclusion
Planting trees in Arkansas offers so much more than just enhancing your yard’s beauty—it’s about choosing the suitable tree varieties that can thrive in the state’s unique climate while offering instant shade, vibrant fall foliage, and even airborne dust control. Whether you opt for flowering trees like the ‘Pink Pom Poms’ Redbud or shade trees like the Wireless Zelkova, there’s no shortage of options to meet both practical and aesthetic needs.
Arkansas’s varied geography, from the Arkansas Valley to its rolling hills, means your tree-planting choices can help with everything from controlling erosion to increasing your home’s cooling efficiency. Trees like Loblolly Pine and Tulip Poplars are fantastic for providing shade but also help improve air quality by catching airborne particles.
So, whether you’re aiming to add visual interest, provide shade, or contribute to air pollution control, the suitable trees can make all the difference. Ready to give your Arkansas landscape an upgrade? Start with these unique tree species and enjoy their benefits, from cutting summer utility bills to providing springtime color and cooling relief.
