We all have our go-to favorites when it comes to planting up our yards but, as garden designers will tell us, there are many underrated trees out there. Quietly working hard, putting on seasonal displays, attracting wildlife and even improving growing conditions for others, these unsung leafy heroes are worthy contenders for a space in your yard.
While there are many underrated garden plants to consider, deciding on a statement tree can prove more daunting, partly due to their conspicuous height and form, the cost of purchasing a mature plant, and their long-lived presence.
Delving into lesser-known species and newly bred varieties can actually help us to find trees that are more suited to our changing environment, support the needs of our native wildlife, and save us time and effort keeping them in perfect health. So go on, be brave, and get inspired to plant something new.
9 underrated trees for your yard
If you are looking for a statement tree that is a little different to the usual landscaping favorites, then check out this shortlist for some arboreal inspiration. Beautiful, hardworking and low maintenance too, each of these lesser-known heroes will bring something different to your yard.
1. Serviceberry
Catch a glimpse of a serviceberry - Amelanchier canadensis - once or twice a year and you may not be dazzled, but when you have it in your yard you can really appreciate just how hard this deciduous tree works. Providing an ever-changing display from one month to the next, it is a picturesque barometer of the seasons.
'Often overlooked, serviceberries are small to medium-sized trees that offer a spectacular show in early spring with their delicate white flowers, often appearing before the leaves. These are followed by delicious, edible berries in early summer that are a favorite of both humans and birds,' explains Arborist James Ostlie. 'Their attractive gray bark and vibrant fall colors ranging from yellow to red further enhance their appeal throughout the year.'
A bonus of the serviceberry is its compact size. Reaching up to 13-26 ft (4-8m) and producing a canopy that’s happy to be clipped into shape, it sits comfortably in smaller yards without creating tricky areas of dense shade. Thriving in USDA plant hardiness zones 4-9, it prefers a sunny or part-shady position. Check out the selection at Nature Hills which includes Shadblow Serviceberry.
2. Dove tree
Dramatic trees with spectacular blooms don’t have to take over your yard. There are plenty of smaller contenders out there, with a more upright growing habit than a sprawling magnolia or American tuliptree.
Our favorite – and loved by many landscape designers - has to be the Dove tree, with its pale green papery bracts appearing in April and May and smooth gray bark. The vibrant yellow-green leaves closely resemble those of a lime, Tilia cordata – another seriously sizeable species – so the smaller Davidia cultivars are the smart way to achieve a similar look in a compact space.
Davidia involucrata ‘Columnar’ or ‘Kylee’s Columnar’ takes around 20 years to reach heights of 20ft (6m) tall by 8ft (2.5m). Naturally upright and requiring no pruning or training, it copes well with most free draining soil and prefers full sun or dappled shade. Find a selection of Davidia trees available at Broken Arrow Nursery.
3. Eastern Redbud
We all love the springtime sight of cherry blossom, but these trees can often prove tricky and unreliable performers. Susceptible to bacterial canker and fungal diseases such as Silver Leaf, you can often be left disappointed with the much-anticipated display, especially if the buds are caught in an unexpected frost.
A stunning easy-going alternative that is often overlooked has to be Eastern Redbud - Cercis canadensis. Living up to 20-50 years, far longer than most Ornamental cherry trees, and happy in USDA plant hardiness zones 4-9, they are low maintenance and are tolerant of most soil types.
'The redbud's early spring display of vibrant pink to purplish-red flowers clustered directly on the branches and trunk is truly breath-taking and deserves more appreciation,' James continues. 'Their shimmering heart-shaped leaves emerge with a reddish tint, maturing to green and then turning yellow in the fall. This relatively small tree fits well in many garden settings and provides early nectar for pollinators.' Nature Hills have a range of different size trees and multi-stem plants available.
4. Pagoda Dogwood
Recognised for its distinct horizontal branches, easy-going Cornus alternifolia, the Pagoda Dogwood, has other environmental benefits worth celebrating too. With a shallow, fibrous root system that spreads laterally and rapidly decomposing leaf litter, this plant, along with some ground cover plants, is useful in tackling soil erosion, helping to support earth banks while enriching the ground each fall.
Along with other dogwood varieties, many of which can be found at Walmart, the Pagoda dogwood is also a magnet for nature, attracting insects, pollinators, birds and small mammals to its branches. The horizontal tiers widely appeal as a convenient nesting site while the tiny clusters of white flowers each spring, known as cymes, are rich in nectar and pollen.
'This native dogwood offers visual interest in all seasons. I love the clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring, followed by bluish-black berries, with the bonus that they are a valuable food source for birds,' says James. 'Its deep green foliage turns attractive shades of reddish-purple hues in the fall, making it a standout throughout the seasons!'
With a Master's in Forest Pathology from the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Luther College, ISA Certified Arborist James brings a strong educational foundation to his work. Since joining Davey Tree in 2020, he has progressed through roles of increasing responsibility, including District Manager, demonstrating his leadership and expertise in plant health care and arboriculture.
5. Cold Hardy Avocado tree
The very idea of growing your own avocados is a dream for most of us northern climate yard owners, but should it be?
'Often overlooked in favor of more common varieties, the cold hardy avocado tree - Persea americana - isn’t just great for fresh avocados,' says Paris Lalicata, Head of Plant Education and Community at The Sill.
'There’s no need to fret when the mercury dips, this tree withstands temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit!’
That’s not all, 'It’s resilient, produces abundant harvests, and late-winter clusters of beautiful greenish-yellow blooms.'
Growing to between 8-13ft (2.5-4m) tall with an equal spread, this tree is a good option for a smaller plot. The glossy, evergreen foliage is toxic to some pets, though, including rabbits. Find Cold Hardy Avocado trees available at The Sill.
Paris has been with The Sill for almost five years and heads up Plant Education and Community. A self-taught plant expert with over ten years of experience growing houseplants, she currently maintains an indoor garden of more than 200 plants in the northeast. Her passion is making plant care more digestible for budding plant parents and sharing the many benefits of having plants indoors.
6. Three-Leaf Sumac
Choosing trees and shrubs that will thrive in our ever-changing climate is becoming increasingly tricky. With fluctuating temperatures and water levels to cope with, finding easy-going, good-looking and reliable contenders for our gardens is all-important. Native species are always a good starting point, and the Three Leaf Sumac Rhus trilobata is a tough beauty that is often overlooked.
'Adaptable to a wide range of soils, including clay and sandy loam, and highly tolerant of drought, this native is a smart choice for sustainable landscaping, especially in regions challenged by water scarcity,' says High Country Gardens Master Gardener Tabar Gifford.
'This compact, multi-stemmed shrub or tree has a strong root system, making it a valuable tool for stabilizing slopes and preventing erosion. Skunkbush Sumac's tidy size (typically 5–6 feet tall and wide) makes it ideal for small gardens, foundation plantings, or as a wildlife-friendly alternative to non-native ornamentals. With minimal pruning and virtually no pest or disease problems, it’s a resilient and low-maintenance workhorse that more gardeners should get to know.'
In early spring, inconspicuous chartreuse flowers provide a welcome pollen source for native bees just emerging from winter. By fall, Rhus trilobata erupts in brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red—rivalling the best-known ornamental trees for autumn color. Find these plants available at High Country Gardens and be sure to order multiples to ensure you have both male and female plants needed to produce the rich red berries.
7. Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany
Creating a garden in a dry, barren setting can be a challenge, as these conditions usually mean that the soil is low in fertility, nutrients, and water. Choosing species that will not only cope in these harsh conditions but also improve the soil for others must be a smart move, helping to future-proof your patch for years to come.
Long-lived and slow growing - some trees have been recorded as old as 1,350 years - Cercocarpus ledifolius is an outstanding evergreen shrub, as Tabar Gifford explains.
‘Known for its nitrogen-fixing ability, Curl Leaf Mountain Mahogany is a workhorse in the garden, perfect for xeriscapes, erosion control, and revegetation projects, where its low-maintenance nature shines. Though its corkscrew-shaped seed plumes aren’t showy, they offer an intriguing texture that stands out in native and habitat gardens.’
A unique gem in the Intermountain West, Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany is the only broadleaf evergreen tree in this region and typically thrives in USDA Hardiness Plant zones 3-8.
'It’s leathery, aromatic leaves and durable wood make it both a beautiful and functional addition to any garden and it’s an ideal choice for privacy screens, windbreaks, and wildlife habitat,' says Tabar. This stoic species can play a valuable role in many drought tolerant landscaping ideas and xeriscaping.
Tabar Gifford is a Master Gardener, and dedicated “plant geek”. With a lifelong love for gardening and nature, and a background in environmental studies and sustainable community development, she combines horticultural expertise with a commitment to education. Striving to empower individuals in achieving their gardening aspirations, Tabar embodies a genuine passion for sharing her knowledge. She gardens in zone 4 in Vermont.
8. Osage orange
Sun loving and bearing striking neon green ball-like fruits, the Osage orange tree - or hedge apple - is great addition to any yard. Once widely used as a tough and thorn laden hedge around farmsteads, to keep cattle in, this plant is now celebrated for its sturdy form, storm resistant capabilities and resilience to fluctuating temperatures.
It is drought tolerant, needs little attention once established and will happily grow up to 28ft (8m) in any soil, as long as it is free-draining.
If you love the idea of planting one of these majestic trees in your yard but are worried about getting spiked? Don't be. Thornless varieties are now available, so you can enjoy the cascades of glossy leaves and deeply furrowed bark without injury.
Maclura pomifera ‘Wichita’ and Maclura pomifera ‘White Shield’ are both reliable varieties to seek out but. Disease and pest resistant, do bear in mind that these varieties are fruitless too. Find these plants available at Nature Hills and Tree Top Nursery and Landscaping
9. Kentucky coffee tree
Native to the midwestern and upper southern United States, the Kentucky coffee tree Gymnocladus dioica is known for its huge feather-like leaves that turn a glorious butter yellow in fall. A stately, spreading tree that can reach 32ft (10m) with a 26ft (8m) spread it can look seriously impressive but, together with its messy habit of shedding its large leathery seed pods, it can prove to be a handful in most gardens.
Fortunately, the development of a more upright – or columnar – selection like Gymnocladus ‘Skinny Latte’ or Gymnocladus dioicus 'Morton' solves the issue. With a smaller footprint casting less shade, it still brings all the much-loved drama to the yard while still proving pest resistant and drought tolerant. As a male selection, there are no pesky pods to clear up either, which is perfect for those looking for a low maintenance statement tree.
Taking time to find the perfect underrated trees for your yard can help reduce tiresome gardening tasks and boost your outdoor lifestyle. Discover other low-maintenance backyard ideas to try and the 7 ways to simplify a garden.
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