How to Choose the Best Trees for a Resilient Yard in NE Ohio

The August 2024 storm devastated Northeast Ohio, leaving many home landscapes stripped bare. Countless trees were uprooted, and many more suffered irreversible damage, requiring professional removal.

But this loss also brings an opportunity. Instead of simply replacing what was there before, you have the chance to create a stronger, more resilient landscape. By planting a diverse mix of trees and shrubs, you can maximize the benefits they provide – like shade, wildlife support, and storm resilience – while reducing the risk of widespread damage in the future.

Key Takeaways:

• Planting a variety of tree species creates a more storm-resistant landscape that helps prevent total loss during severe weather.
• Landscapes with mixed species reduces the risk of devastating damage from pests and diseases that target specific tree types.
• Different trees and shrubs provide various benefits to wildlife, from nesting sites to food sources, creating a healthier ecosystem in your yard.
• A diverse selection of trees and shrubs extends seasonal interest throughout the year while protecting long term property value.

What Does a Mixed Landscape Look Like in NE Ohio?

Monoculture – planting the same trees and shrubs repeatedly – is common, especially in new developments. But nature doesn’t work that way. In healthy ecosystems, you’ll find a diverse mix of trees, shrubs, and flowers growing together, creating a balanced and resilient landscape. By mimicking nature’s approach, you can build a stronger, more vibrant yard that supports wildlife, improves soil health, and stands up better to storms and disease.

Go for a walk in the woods and you’ll generally see a variety of tall shade trees – creating the canopy. It’s not just oaks or just pines, it’s likely a collection of various oak species, maples, pines, and much more.

Look a little lower and you’ll usually see a midstory – smaller trees that fill in the space under the shade trees. These understory trees are often overlooked in the home landscape, but they can be some of the most beneficial species when it comes to supporting the local ecosystem.

Finally, on the ground, you’ll find an even more diverse selection of shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses.

Put this all together, and you get a landscape that mimics nature – thriving, resilient, and full of life. And it’s not just for places like Cuyahoga Valley National Park or Punderson State Park (which we happen to work next to). A diverse selection of native plants and trees can and should be part of home landscapes for many reasons, from supporting wildlife to improving soil health. What does that look like?

• Towering shade trees like American beech, white oak, or silver maple provide a strong canopy and habitat for birds and pollinators.
• Mid-sized trees such as Eastern redbud, flowering dogwood, and serviceberry add seasonal color and attract butterflies and songbirds.
• Native shrubs and ground cover replace endless turf grass, with options like chokecherry (bright red berries and stunning fall foliage), elderberry, or viburnums, all of which support local wildlife and add beauty year-round.

Mixed Landscapes Are More Storm Resistant

The August 2024 storm, and the numerous tornados it spawned, proved that some trees handle storms better than others. When you plant only one type of tree in your yard, you’re gambling that those trees can withstand whatever weather comes their way. But different tree species have different strengths when it comes to storm resistance.

Some trees, like oaks, develop deep, spreading root systems that anchor them firmly in place. Others, like river birch, have flexible branches that bend rather than snap in high winds. By mixing these characteristics throughout your yard, you’re less likely to experience widespread damage in your yard.

Unfortunately, some homeowners will plant an abundance of one species in their yard. If that were Bradford pear, for example, they likely suffered heavy losses, as these trees are notoriously weak (they’re also illegal to plant in Ohio, due to their weak structure and aggressive tendencies).

Mixing up your large shade trees and understory trees creates a more resilient landscape that can better weather storms in the years to come.

Mixed Landscapes Are More Disease Resistant

Oak wilt serves as a perfect example of why planting only one type of tree in your yard can backfire. This aggressive disease spreads quickly between oak trees, especially if they’re planted close together. When it strikes a yard full of oaks, it can destroy every tree within just a few seasons.

The same principle applies to many tree diseases in Northeast Ohio. Dutch elm disease wiped out countless elms. And now, diseases affecting spruce and pine trees are becoming more common in our area.

When you plant a variety of tree species, diseases have a harder time spreading through your yard. If a disease targets one species, others usually remain unaffected, as diseases are generally species-specific.

Investing in a mix of different species can help ensure a lasting landscape. You can also invest in preventive care when it comes to tree diseases. If you have any trees you’re concerned with, give us a call and we’d be happy to make recommendations.

Mixed Landscapes Are More Pest Resistant

The emerald ash borer devastation in Northeast Ohio tells a stark story about the risks of planting only one type of tree. When this pest swept through neighborhoods filled with ash trees, entire streets were left bare. Once a very common tree to plant in our NE Ohio towns, millions of ash trees in Ohio have been destroyed by EAB.

And this problem continues today. Many neighborhoods in Cuyahoga County are experiencing rapid tree canopy loss, in large part due to EAB.

Once an ash tree dies, it starts to decay and can eventually become a safety hazard, necessitating professional removal, though treatment options are available if caught early enough. And it’s not just EAB that kills trees, there are many other pests that target our native Ohio trees, too.

By planting a mix of trees in your yard, you limit the damage any single pest can cause. If one species faces an infestation, the rest of your landscape continues to thrive. That’s why it’s best to follow nature’s blueprints – it leads to healthier, more resilient landscapes.

Mixed Landscapes Support Local Wildlife

Want your yard to be a haven for beautiful birds and butterflies? If so, it’s all about your selection of trees and shrubs (preferably native).

Birds, for example, need a few key things: food, cover to hide from predators, and nesting sites. A single tree species that produces berries may attract birds looking for a quick snack, but if you want them to stay in your yard year-round, you need to provide all of their essential needs.

For example:

• Dense evergreens, like spruce and pine, provide year-round shelter and nesting sites.
• Flowering trees, like hawthorn and crabapple, offer spring nectar for pollinators and fall fruit for birds.
• Oak trees host over 500 species of butterfly and moth caterpillars, which become food for baby birds.
• Berry producers, like serviceberry and dogwood, provide food throughout different seasons.
• Trees with peeling bark, like river birch, offer nesting material and insect hunting grounds for birds.

When you plant various species, birds, butterflies, and other critters can find everything they need in your yard. This makes your property more attractive to wildlife that control pests naturally, add color and movement to your landscape, and create that connection with nature that many homeowners desire.

Like butterflies? Consider planting poplars, willow, and black cherry host plants for the native Viceroy butterfly, which look just like Monarchs.

Mixed Landscapes Add Visual Interest and Boost Curb Appeal

Some homeowners prefer the clean, structured look of a manicured yard with just one or two plant species. But many others are drawn to the beauty and variety of more natural landscapes. That’s likely why places like Cuyahoga Valley National Park more than 2 million visitors each year – people crave diverse, thriving environments filled with natural beauty and wildlife. A well-planned mixed landscape brings that same appeal to your own yard, offering vibrant colors, seasonal interest, and a habitat for birds, deer, and other wildlife.

Mixed yards also provide year-round beauty. Yards with only red maples, for example, will look stunning in the fall. But at other times of the year, they will look bare. A landscape with evergreens can provide color in the dreary winter, and understory trees, like redbud and flowering dogwood, can provide a burst of spring color.

While naturalistic plantings can come across as messy and careless, they can also be planted with care, to maximize beauty while keeping the yard well-maintained and respectable.

Best Trees for a Resilient Ohio Landscape

Building a resilient landscape means choosing trees and shrubs that work well together at different heights. Think of your yard in layers, from towering shade trees down to ground level shrubs. Each layer serves specific purposes and creates different benefits.

Here are some of the most reliable species for Northeast Ohio yards:

Best Shade Trees:

• White Oak: A powerhouse shade tree that supports hundreds of butterfly species and produces acorns for wildlife
• Red Maple: Fast growing with spectacular fall color and strong storm resistance
• American Beech: Long lived shade tree with smooth gray bark that adds winter interest

Best Understory Trees:

• Eastern Redbud: Early spring purple blooms that feed pollinators before most trees leaf out
• Flowering Dogwood: White spring flowers, red fall berries, and excellent fall color
• American Hornbeam: Extremely tough tree with interesting bark and dense shade tolerance

Best Shrubs:

• Arrowwood Viburnum: White flower clusters in spring, blue berries in fall, and excellent wildlife value
• Winterberry Holly: Female plants produce bright red winter berries that persist after leaves drop
• Black Chokeberry: Spring flowers and fall berries with outstanding red fall color

“When planning your landscape, you should always choose a mix of tree species, complemented by an understory of shrubs, varied by size, function, and form. But of course, everything you plant needs to match the conditions found in your yard, or you’re wasting time and money.” Alan Kraus, Owner of Independent Tree

FAQs About Resilient Yards in NE Ohio

How many different tree species should I plant in my yard?

The exact number depends on your yard size. You don’t want to cram trees into a small yard for the sake of diversity. Instead, evaluate the space you have available, and plant as many different tree species as you can. We offer planting services, so we can help you determine what’s right for your yard, too.

Will mixing different tree species make my landscape look messy?

Not when properly planned. The key is planting species with their mature size in mind. That means giving trees lots of space. In the meantime, you can fill in the gaps between young trees with inexpensive wildflowers, clump grasses, or small shrubs.

What if I already have several of the same species in my yard?

You don’t need to remove healthy trees. If you have a handful of large trees, consider adding understory trees and shrubs to increase variety.

Should I avoid planting any oak trees since oak wilt is a concern?

No, but avoid planting only oaks. Oak trees are valuable for shade and wildlife, but mixing them with other species helps protect your landscape if disease strikes. Proper spacing between oaks also reduces disease spread risk, as oak wilt spreads through mingling roots.

Create a Resilient Landscape with Help from Independent Tree

A variety of trees and shrubs creates the strongest possible landscape for your Northeast Ohio property. Whether you’re rebuilding after storm damage or want to replace some turf grass with valuable trees and shrubs, selecting varied species protects your landscape investment in the long run and maximizes the benefits trees provide to your home.

For expert guidance and hassle-free planting, turn to Independent Tree. Our team will help you select the right trees and ensure they’re planted properly for long-term success. Call us at 440-564-1374 or fill out our online form to request a planting consultation and estimate.