In 2020, I spent quarantine at my parents’ home in northeastern Indiana, where my father, a Purdue-trained Master Gardener, has grown 55 trees on one acre since 2004. That ever-changing garden inspired countless photos and an Instagram community of like-minded gardeners. 

After completing my own Master Gardener training in Whitley County, I’m now sharing what I’ve learned with anyone ready to grow their own woodland landscape, on large or small properties, in town or country—that is to say, YOU! 

Large trees create microenvironments that support our pollinators. Their trunk and bark give shelter to bats, birds and squirrels. Their shade offers refuge from heat and their roots hold soil against erosion.

Home benefits include:

• Summer cooling: can cut nearby buildings' energy use by about 10%

• Winter wind protection: lower heating costs - plant evergreens on the west and northwest sides of the house

• Air and noise: trees filter dust and pollutants and soften traffic noise

• Property value & your own well-being: mature trees can raise a home's value by up to 10%, and time around trees is linked to lower stress

Native trees are even better—they support far more insects, are adapted to our local soil and climate, and are much easier to maintain! Indiana DNR counts 58 native species of trees over 45 feet tall. 

This is a list of my favorite natives and non-natives. These trees are a minimum of 40 feet high and spread out up to 100 feet wide. They stand on their own as giant specimens or you can do as my family has done: create your own little woodland in your own backyard.

You'll find there are varying height specifications for a "medium" tree. For this post, I've chosen 20-40 foot trees with a mature spread of 15-35 feet. 

Many of these are understory trees that thrive next to large trees in part-shade (in their natural habitat, you'll find these on the edge of the woods.). They fill in the gaps between large shade trees and your shrubs and perennials. They provide many of the same benefits as large trees: beautiful canopies, supporting insects and wildlife,  and offering (dappled) shade and wind protection.

These trees are often specimen or ornamental (trees grown for aesthetics) with beautiful flowers, brilliant fall color, fruit that lasts into winter, and textured bark. The shade these trees cast is lighter, more dappled, allowing for your lawn turf and perennials to get the sun they need. Several of these will also do well in wet soil, perfect for low spots or rain-garden edges.

Shrubs can be than trees — and trees can be smaller than shrubs! The difference is in the form. Shrubs have several stems (instead of one trunk) and the branches are closer to the ground. The confusion often lies in how the plants are trained, trimmed, and grafted. Once again the options for shrubs are extensive and will require that you narrow down the features you want. 

Shrubs are at eye level and should be eye catching! While there are many important benefits in their microenvironments like the cover and food they offer wildlife, I opt for the stand out colors, textures and unique structures that make wondering through the yard a feast for my eyes all year long.

Ready to add all the features that trees and large shrubs offer? 

Planning is the most important step to create sustainable landscapes for you, your community, and future generations of tree huggers. It will save you time, effort, and money—and keep your plants healthy for decades and centuries to come. Bur oak trees in Indiana can live 300 to 400 years!

You'll want to budget the costs of buying trees and hiring expert arborists to help with diseases, pests, and dying trees. If you maintain the trees on your own, you’ll need to learn proper techniques and make time for the work: planning around electric lines, underground utilities and plumbing; trimming branches; watering during droughts; and mulching year after year.

Purchasing

Shopping local for your trees is the smart option since transporting trees can be costly and the disturbance can lead to broken branches and damaged leaves. Trees are resilient and may recover. Still, look for a reputable nursery that prunes its young trees properly, gives the roots room, spaces the trees well and waters consistently.

When local nurseries don't offer you the selection you want, there are nurseries that offer many unique varieties online that can be properly shipped to your door. I've had luck with several shrubs and dwarf conifers.

The right tools and methods for planting and maintaining will be important to the health of your tree—and yours (no need to break your back or your mind). There are excellent sources from Purdue on planting and pruning but there are a few important items that seem to be lost on professional landscapers as much as unaware homeowners.

1. Ensure the roots are not wound tightly when you plant your tree. They should be loose and free to spread out. Most tree roots extend out 2 to 3 times the width of the tree canopy.

2. The ground layer below trees should be soft landings for caterpillars (moths and butterflies), fireflies, bumblebees, lacewings, and beetles. Replace the lawn turf under the tree canopy with leaf litter, shade-loving native plants, or mulch.

3. The roots of your tree will benefit from mulch coverage but it should not cover the root flare. Piling mulch against the trunk will choke your tree: it blocks air exchange, rots the bark (which lets disease in), encourages roots to grow into the mulch instead of the soil, and keeps water from reaching the root ball.

4.  Keep an eye out for signs of stress. Catching pests and diseases early allows for simple remedies—like simply watering your tree in a drought—rather than calling for an arborist. Learn what to look for here.

Consider removing these trees and shrubs from your landscaping: