Trees can make a big impact on your Greater Chicago commercial property. Shade trees bring lush canopies, and flowering trees bring beautiful blooms and lovely aromas.
Trees attract attention and instantly boost your commercial property’s curb appeal.
That’s why they are a great choice for your entryways, along pathways, near exterior areas where people can gather or relax, and even near seating areas.
But not all trees are ideal for Greater Chicago commercial properties. You want to choose the right ones to benefit your unique property – whether you manage an office park, an industrial facility, an educational site, a healthcare facility, a retail center, or a homeowner’s association.
Let’s look at some of the best trees for commercial properties in Chicago so you can get a better idea of optimal choices for your site.
Best Trees for Commercial Properties in Chicago
A commercial property without trees can be pretty barren. You want to add a bit of height, greenery, and color, breaking up that monotony and adding some personality and aesthetics.
Nothing can do that better than trees for commercial landscapes. In addition to tree benefits like preventing soil erosion, boosting oxygen, reducing stormwater runoff, buffering wind, providing shade, and improving your property’s overall appearance, trees can add amazing color, scent, and beauty to your commercial property.
But the right ones make a difference. You want trees that can withstand the traffic on your site and handle the pressure of looking good in the midst of your busy property activities and schedule, without causing unnecessary mess or requiring tons of attention.
Here are 6 trees that we rely on to deliver amazing appearance and elevated curb appeal on commercial properties.
1. Thornless Honeylocust
If you want a fast-growing tree to plant in Illinois with fragrant spring flowers, the thornless honeylocust is a good choice.
The open silhouette is full of tiny leaves that turn yellow or yellowish green in autumn. In spring, the blooms are yellow and fragrant. This sun-loving tree can grow to a height of between 30 and 70 feet with a 50-foot spread and can handle a wide range of soils. On top of that, it’s pollution-, salt-, and drought-tolerant.
This tree’s thin, airy crown provides dappled shade underneath. Use this tree on your commercial property hillsides to help stabilize soil and control erosion.
2. Japanese Lilac
If you’re looking for something to place near outdoor seating areas that offers flowers and fragrance, try the Japanese lilac tree. It can be an anchor in one of your landscape beds or mixed with other plants of various sizes to create a lush area.
The best tree for commercial properties blooms in clusters of creamy, white flowers that have a sweet fragrance, delivering early summer delight for approximately two weeks.
The Japanese lilac tree can reach a height of up to 30 feet with a 15- to 20-foot spread. It grows in a graceful, upright, attractive shape with reddish bark that has white markings.
Japanese lilac tree leaves are simple and oval in shape, ranging from 3 to 6 inches long. Medium green leaves turn pale greenish-brown in autumn before dropping.
3. Triumph Elm
If you want to avoid problems with Dutch elm disease but still want the benefits of an elm tree, try a resistant variety like the Triumph elm.
This best tree for commercial properties has large, lustrous, dark green, summer foliage gives way to golden fall color.
You can expect this tree to reach 50 to 60 feet in height with a 35- to 40-foot spread when you plant it in full or partial sun.
4. Chinkapin Oak
If you have a larger industrial property, you might want to try this tree to plant in Illinois that can reach 40 to 50 feet in height and spread when you plant it in well-drained soil and full sun.
This tree has dark green leaves in summer that turn to yellow-orange in the fall.
The rounded shape of the chinkapin oak makes it an attractive addition to your site, as do the 1-inch acorns it produces.
5. Norway Maple
With a dense, round, symmetrical crown, Norway maples grow to 40 to 50 feet tall with a 30- to 50-foot spread.
This tree for commercial landscapes, which likes to grow in full or partial sun and moist, well-drained soil, has dark green leaves that turn pale yellow in fall.
But since this tree is known for its potential to grow roots into foundations, sidewalks, and driveways, it’s best to plant this one at least 100 feet from buildings or hardscapes to avoid these complications.
6. Shagbark Hickory
This tree to plant in Illinois has a trunk characterized by long, peeling strips of bark, making it an attractive addition to your commercial site.
Its green leaves turn pale green to yellowish-brown in autumn and it loves full to partial sun and well-drained soil.
Expect this low-maintenance tree to grow 60 to 80 feet tall and 50 to 70 feet wide.
The Right Trees for Commercial Properties Can Boost Your Facility Aesthetics and Curb Appeal
You can attract customers to your retail center, residents to your HOA, and employees and businesses to your office park or industrial facility when you have an irresistible array of trees for commercial landscapes on your site.
If you see a list of trees for your site and find the options overwhelming, we’re not surprised. There are so many trees out there, and you want to pick just the right one for your Greater Chicago commercial landscape. Hopefully, this list of trees helps you make a better decision.
But we know it can be stressful. Let KD Landscape help. Our commercial landscaping experts have a ton of experience dealing with Greater Chicago growing conditions and can help you pick just the right trees to suit your needs.
Want to learn more about how KD Landscape can help you choose the best trees for your Greater Chicago commercial property? Get started today with a free quote. We’ll review your options together so you can feel confident and make a great choice.
Image Source: Thornless Honey Locust, Lilac Tree, Triumph Elm, Oak, Maple, Hickory
