Choosing the right trees for your St. Louis property can transform your outdoor space while adding significant value to your home. Unlike more temporary landscape elements, trees represent a long-term investment that grows more valuable each year. With our region’s unique climate challenges – from scorching summers to frigid winters – selecting trees that will thrive requires local St. Louis tree selection expertise.
At Allen Outdoor Solutions, we’ve helped countless St. Louis homeowners select and plant trees that flourish in our sometimes unpredictable Midwest conditions. This guide shares our knowledge of the best shade trees, most stunning ornamental trees in Missouri, and most reliable privacy options for your St. Louis landscape.
Why Tree Selection Matters in St. Louis
St. Louis sits at a fascinating ecological crossroads. Our region blends northern and southern growing conditions, with:
- Hot, humid summers often exceeding 90°F
- Winter temperatures that can plunge below zero
- Clay-heavy soils that challenge many tree species
- Periodic drought conditions
These factors make thoughtful tree selection crucial. The right tree in the right place can provide decades of beauty with minimal maintenance throughout Chesterfield, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Clayton, and all St. Louis County communities.
Best Shade Trees for St. Louis
When summer temperatures soar, nothing beats the natural cooling effect of magnificent shade trees in St. Louis. These selections offer the perfect combination of beauty, longevity, and performance in our unique local conditions.
The Mighty Oaks
White Oak (Quercus alba)
If you’re planning for generations, white oak deserves serious consideration. This Missouri native can live for centuries and develops a magnificent, broad-spreading canopy that provides dense shade. Its fall color transitions from russet to rich burgundy, and its deeply ridged bark adds winter interest.
Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
For slightly faster growth while maintaining excellent strength and longevity, red oak shines in St. Louis landscapes. These handsome native trees display brilliant red fall color and develop a rounded, symmetrical shape with minimal pruning.
Magnificent Maples
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Few trees rival the sugar maple for spectacular fall display. In good years, their leaves transform into a breathtaking kaleidoscope of orange, red, and gold. Sugar maples prefer moist, well-drained soil and show some sensitivity to urban conditions.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Perhaps the most adaptable maple for St. Louis conditions, red maples tolerate a wide range of soils, including our heavy clay. They offer reliable red fall color, attractive red buds and flowers in spring, and a pleasing oval to rounded crown.
Cultivars like ‘Red Sunset’ and ‘October Glory’ perform particularly well in the St. Louis region. Their moderate growth rate – about 12-18 inches per year – provides relatively quick shade without sacrificing structural strength.
Other Outstanding Shade Trees for St. Louis
American Sycamore – These massive, fast-growing natives feature distinctive exfoliating bark that creates winter interest.
Tulip Tree – With unique tulip-shaped flowers and brilliant yellow fall color, these stately natives grow straight and tall.
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) – Increasingly popular for its exceptional red fall color and good drought tolerance once established.
Learn more about our shade tree planting services →
Best Ornamental Trees in Missouri
When space doesn’t allow for massive shade trees, or when you want focal points for garden areas, these ornamental trees in Missouri offer seasonal beauty on a more manageable scale for your St. Louis landscape.
Spring Flowering Favorites
Dogwood (Cornus florida and hybrids)
The classic flowering dogwood remains one of the most beloved spring-blooming trees in Missouri, with horizontal branching patterns that showcase their white or pink “flowers” (actually modified leaves called bracts).
While traditional native dogwoods can struggle with anthracnose in some settings, newer hybrids like the Stellar series offer improved disease resistance. Plant them in morning sun with afternoon shade for best performance in St. Louis yards.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Nothing announces spring in St. Louis quite like the vibrant pink-purple blossoms of our native redbud. These hardy ornamental trees flower spectacularly before leafing out, with blooms emerging directly from the branches and even the trunk.
For added interest, consider cultivars like ‘Forest Pansy’ with purple foliage or ‘Rising Sun’ with golden-orange new growth.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier)
These multi-season performers start with delicate white spring flowers, develop delicious blue-purple berries in summer (a favorite of birds), and finish with outstanding orange-red fall color.
Available in both tree and multi-stemmed forms, serviceberries work beautifully as understory plantings or specimen trees. They perform equally well in full sun or partial shade and require minimal maintenance.
Summer and Fall Showstoppers
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Few ornamental trees in Missouri match the refined elegance of Japanese maples. With their delicate leaves, beautiful branching patterns, and often spectacular fall color, they create natural focal points in the landscape.
When selecting Japanese maples for St. Louis, focus on varieties rated for Zone 5, as our occasional severe winters can damage less hardy selections. ‘Bloodgood’, ‘Emperor I’, and ‘Tamukeyama’ have proven reliable in our climate.
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)
Improved cold-hardy varieties have made these summer-blooming trees increasingly viable for our region. Their long blooming period (often June through September) provides color when few other trees flower.
For best results in the St. Louis area, plant cold-hardy varieties like ‘Natchez’, ‘Tuscarora’, or ‘Dynamite’ in protected locations with excellent drainage and full sun.
Best Evergreen Trees for St. Louis Privacy
When year-round screening is the goal, these evergreen options provide reliable performance in our sometimes challenging climate.
Conifer Choices
Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
This graceful native develops soft, billowy foliage that moves beautifully in the breeze. Its relatively fast growth rate makes it ideal for creating privacy screens within a reasonable timeframe.
White pines prefer slightly acidic soil with good drainage. With adequate space (they can reach 50-80 feet tall), they create a natural-looking privacy solution.
Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
With excellent cold hardiness and adaptability to various soil conditions, Norway spruce performs reliably across the St. Louis region. Its dark green needles and pendulous branch tips create an attractive, somewhat formal appearance.
American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
For narrower spaces, arborvitae cultivars like ‘Green Giant’ and ‘Emerald Green’ provide effective screening without excessive width. Their dense, vertically oriented growth creates natural living walls.
Most perform best in full sun but tolerate partial shade. Be aware that deer find them particularly tasty, so protection may be necessary in areas with heavy deer pressure.
Broadleaf Evergreen Options
American Holly (Ilex opaca)
This native evergreen develops a naturally pyramidal shape with distinctive spiny, glossy leaves and bright red berries on female plants (a male pollinator is needed nearby for berry production).
Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex × ‘Nellie R. Stevens’)
This holly hybrid offers faster growth than American holly while maintaining excellent density and abundant berries. Its rich green foliage and red fruits provide year-round interest.
If you love evergreens, this blog post from Better Homes and Gardens highlights even more great varieties.
FAQ: Trees for St. Louis Landscapes
What trees grow fastest in the St. Louis area? For relatively fast shade, consider tulip trees, red maples, or pin oaks. For rapid privacy screening, Leyland cypress and ‘Green Giant’ arborvitae provide quick results.
Which trees perform best in clay soil? Many native trees handle our clay soils admirably, including bur oak, Kentucky coffeetree, sweetgum, and river birch.
What are the best trees for small St. Louis yards? Consider Japanese maple, serviceberry, redbud, dogwood, or crabapple varieties. All offer outstanding seasonal features while remaining appropriately scaled for smaller properties.
When is the best time to plant trees in St. Louis? Late fall (October-November) and early spring (March-April) are ideal. Fall planting allows for root development before winter dormancy, while spring planting gives trees time to establish before summer heat.
How long does professional tree planting take? Most residential tree planting services can be completed in a single day, depending on the number of trees. Our expert team at Allen Outdoor Solutions handles everything from delivery to installation to initial care instructions.
Trees to Approach with Caution in St. Louis
While many trees thrive in our region, a few common options come with significant drawbacks:
Bradford Pear – Once widely planted, these trees have proven both structurally weak and highly invasive.
Silver Maple – Though fast-growing, these natives have weak wood, aggressive surface roots, and relatively short lifespans.
Ash Trees – Due to the emerald ash borer’s continued spread, planting new ash trees is not currently recommended in the St. Louis region.
Professional Tree Installation Makes the Difference
While selecting the right tree is crucial, proper planting techniques significantly impact long-term success. Our professional tree planting services in St. Louis ensure your trees get the best possible start.
Expert Site Preparation
Our arborists carefully evaluate your property’s soil conditions, drainage, sun exposure, and spatial requirements to determine optimal planting locations for long-term tree health.
Proper Planting Techniques
We follow industry best practices for planting depth, root preparation, and initial stabilization to give your trees the strongest possible start in your landscape.
Post-Planting Care
Our tree planting services include detailed care instructions, mulching, and initial watering to ensure successful establishment in your St. Louis landscape.
Schedule a tree planting consultation →
Tree Maintenance Services
Beyond installation, Allen Outdoor Solutions provides comprehensive tree maintenance services to keep your landscape investments healthy and beautiful:
- Seasonal pruning for structure and health
- Fertilization programs tailored to St. Louis soil conditions
- Pest and disease management
- Storm damage assessment
- Mature tree preservation
When to Plant Trees in St. Louis
The ideal planting windows in our region are:
Late Fall (October-November) – Allows root establishment before winter dormancy and gives trees a head start for spring growth.
Early Spring (March-April) – Provides good establishment time before summer heat arrives.
Transform Your Landscape with the Right Trees
Whether you’re seeking cooling shade trees for St. Louis properties, spectacular ornamental trees in Missouri, or year-round privacy, the right trees can dramatically enhance your outdoor space. With proper selection and professional tree planting services, these living landscape investments appreciate in value and beauty year after year.
At Allen Outdoor Solutions, we provide expert guidance on tree selection, professional installation, and ongoing care throughout St. Louis County, including Chesterfield, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Clayton, and surrounding communities.
Ready to enhance your landscape with the perfect trees for your St. Louis property?
Contact us here to get started.
