5 of the Best Trees to Plant Next to a Driveway

You may be hesitant to plant trees next to a driveway, and rightfully so. Trees that are improperly planted, or if the wrong type of tree is planted, could damage your driveway, either with its root system or by easily falling during bad weather. This may stop you from planting trees next to your driveway, but we want to encourage you otherwise.

We have already answered your question about planting trees near your house, and now we want to answer the question about planting trees next to your driveway. The short answer? Yes! You just need to find the best tree to plant next to a driveway. Having trees next to your driveway will make your home more aesthetically pleasing and provide you with some shade and privacy.

These five trees may not officially have the name of the best tree to plant next to a driveway, but they are great options to get you started.

1. Crabapple Trees

There are over 1,000 varieties of crabapple trees for you to choose from, many of which have root systems that are not invasive or aggressive. This means that you won’t have to worry about it damaging your driveway. Their roots are typically surface roots, with minimal sections that reach deep into the soil. However, it’s important to note that the size of the tree does have an impact on the size of the root system, so you should pick a small- to medium-sized variety of crabapple trees for your driveway, such as the Adam’s crabapple. An additional plus of Adam’s crabapple is that it’s resistant to common apple tree diseases, such as fire blight and apple scab. This means that it’s less likely to fall in your driveway due to disease.

Different varieties of crabapple trees produce different colored flowers. These colors can be found in shades of pink, red, and white. They also produce fruit that can be gold, orange, red, or burgundy. Crabapple trees should be planted in an area of full sun. They can grow up to 30 feet tall, but if you’re looking for trees for your driveway, you may be better off choosing the varieties that grow to just 6 to 15 feet.

2. Crape Myrtle

The crape myrtle tree will also provide your driveway with some beautiful blossoms in pink, white, red, or lavender, and these colors remain during the summer months. Some varieties can last into the fall as well. The root system of crape myrtle trees can extend far; however, they aren’t aggressive, and they are fibrous and shallow. This means the roots won’t grow into any foundations, such as your driveway, or make any cracks.

To thrive, these trees should be planted in full sunlight. Some varieties can grow up to 25 feet tall, but for driveway planting, you may want to opt for a variety that is on the smaller side. The smallest crape myrtle variety is only six feet tall at maturity.

3. Flowering Dogwood Trees

Flowering dogwood trees can be a fantastic asset to your driveway, as they will provide you with beauty as well as privacy due to the wide reach of their branches. The roots on these trees are shallow, but they do dry quickly, meaning they need a lot of water. The flowers come in pink, white, and red, and they produce berries as well, which attract birds and insects.

Despite reaching large widths, these trees tend to not reach great heights, typically only growing to 25 feet. They should be planted in areas that receive full to partial sunlight.

4. Japanese Maple

The Japanese maple tree is not only known for its bright leaves but its elegant shape too. As there are hundreds of varieties of these trees, you can find one that will complement the size of your driveway and your yard and look great next to your home. They also come in a range of colors, such as purple, red, orange, and various shades of green. The roots on these trees are “self-stunts,” which means they cannot expand once it’s planted. All upward and outward above-ground growth will be stopped.

If your driveway gets some shade, the Japanese maple is the best tree to plant next to your driveway, as it thrives in areas of partial shade. There are also varieties that don’t reach heights more than 20 feet tall.

5. Cape Ash

If you have a larger space near your driveway, the Cape ash tree may be the choice for you. These trees quickly grow, both in terms of height and width. They can grow to about 30 feet in height with a width of about 20 feet. However, the roots of these trees are nonaggressive. In the spring months, they have pale flowers that are quite fragrant. Afterward, they produce berry-like fruit that turns from green to bright red. The flowers and berries will attract butterflies, birds, and small mammals.

The Cape ash tree is versatile, as it can thrive in both full sun and semi-shade. It’s also drought tolerant.

It is important to note that even if you choose the best tree to plant next to your driveway, all trees should be planted at least 5 to 10 feet away from walkways and foundations to prevent them from blocking the view of motorists or being too close to those walking by on the sidewalk.

If you’re still hesitant as to which tree you should plant next to your driveway, reach out to us at Mr. Tree. We’ll be happy to talk with you and learn more about your driveway and yard. This will allow us to make the perfect recommendation to you to ensure you choose the best tree to plant next to your driveway. Additionally, by working with a professional arborist, you can be sure the tree is planted correctly.