Massive Trees That Tower Over Your Yard
In need of a massive statement tree for your landscape? Looking for a luxury bird and wildlife hotel in the backyard? Maybe a shade giant that cools your home and cuts down energy costs? Nature Hills Nursery has you covered if you have the time and space for a big, bold tree!
Every tree is unique - some stay compact, while others soar into the sky with skyscraping canopies. If you want a long-lasting, shade-giving legacy tree that towers over your yard for generations, here are some of the best large trees at Nature Hills Nursery!
- Deciduous Trees
- Evergreen Trees
- Care & Maintenance for Large and Mature Trees
- Grand Trees For Generations!
Deciduous Trees
These deciduous giants offer shade, fall color, seasonal blooms, and vital wildlife habitat. Plant one and you'll enjoy its presence for decades to come.
Bur Oak Tree
The mighty Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) is a native White Oak known for its rugged character and wide-spreading canopy. With rounded, lobed leaves and unique mossy acorn caps, it's a true keystone species.
The largest in the US is currently the McBaine Bur Oak and is 90 feet tall with a 130-foot spread!
- Mature Height: 70 - 100 ft
- Massive Rounded Canopy
- Unique Mossy-Capped Acorns
- USDA Zones: 3 - 8
Red Maple Tree
Red Maples light up the fall with fiery foliage. Common across the Eastern US and Canada, they grow fast - reaching 20 ft in just 10 years - and provide excellent habitat for birds. Some cultivars include Red Sunset, October Glory®, Autumn Blaze®, and the iconic Sugar Maple.
The largest US specimen in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is listed as being 141 feet (~43 m) tall!
- Mature Height: 60 - 90 ft (exceptional specimens 100 ft+)
- Brilliant Red Fall Color
- Faster Growing Shade Tree
- USDA Zones: 4 - 9
Dawn Redwood
The prehistoric Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) is the last of its genus, dating back 50 million years. Unlike most Redwoods, it's deciduous, dropping feathery, conifer-like leaves each fall. It thrives as an ornamental tree, growing 50 - 90 ft tall with glowing reddish bark.
The record holder currently lives in Kennett Square in Pennsylvania, and is 99 feet (30.18 m) with a 19-foot diameter!
- Mature Height: 50 - 90 ft
- Soft, Fern-Like Needles
- Ancient Fossil Record Tree
- USDA Zones: 4 - 8
Tulip Poplar
The Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a Magnolia relative with fragrant yellow-orange tulip-shaped flowers in spring. Known as Liberty Trees, these giants also produce cone-like seed pods beloved by birds and pollinators.
Another tree with its largest cousin in the Smoky Mountains, aptly named ‘The Tall One’ reaches 191.9 feet in height!
- Mature Height: 60 - 90 ft
- Golden Fall Color
- Unique Tulip-Like Flowers
- USDA Zones: 4 - 9
Carpathian English Walnut
The Carpathian English Walnut (Juglans regia 'Carpathian') combines beauty, shade, and food. With graceful compound leaves, robust hardwood, and thin-shelled nuts, this partially self-fertile tree doubles as a wildlife favorite. Plant with a pollination partner like Franquette for more nuts.
One of the largest English Walnuts in the US is in Ogden, Utah, and soars to 85 feet tall!
- Mature Height: 40 - 60 ft
- Broad Oval Canopy
- Nut-Producing Shade Tree
- USDA Zones: 5 - 9
Evergreen Trees
These towering evergreens provide year-round beauty, privacy, and wildlife value. From narrow columnar accents to massive Redwoods, they bring lasting impact to your landscape.
Southern Live Oak
The iconic Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) is a legendary evergreen Oak of the South. With sprawling horizontal limbs and massive trunks, these trees have provided unmatched shade and beauty for centuries. Often draped in Spanish Moss, Live Oaks are cultural and ecological treasures!
- Mature Height: 50 - 80 ft
- Mature Spread: 70 - 90 ft
- Evergreen Foliage & Wildlife Magnet
- USDA Zones: 8 - 10
Eastern White Pine & Longleaf Pine
Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) and Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) are two iconic American pines. White Pines are fast-growing giants that can reach 150 ft tall and live up to 400 years. Longleaf Pines, native to the Southeast, feature striking long needles, resistance to pests, drought, and salt, and produce great mulch.
The tallest currently living White Pines are around 180 ft (53 m) tall.
- Eastern White Pine: Fast-growing, 150 ft potential, USDA Zones 3 - 8
- Longleaf Pine: 80 - 100 ft, long-needled, pest/drought resistant in Zones 7-9
Italian Cypress
Need height but not width? The Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is a fantastic hot-climate evergreen that stays slim and slender as it reaches for the sky! In both green and blue forms, these fluffy columnar trees are striking accents and thrive in hot, dry Mediterranean climates.
The largest Bald Cypress was The Senator in Florida, estimated to be 3,500 years old and reached 126 feet tall before it was lost in a fire.
- Mature Height: 50 - 60 ft
- Heat & Drought-Tolerant
- Slim Columnar Evergreen
- USDA Zones: 7 - 10
Spruce Trees
Spruce Trees, including the ancient Schrenks Spruce, bring cold-hardy strength and pyramidal form. Some US Spruce reach nearly 200 ft tall, with branches that shelter wildlife and withstand winter erosion and storms.
The largest Spruce in the US is 191 feet (58 m) in height and is located in Olympic National Park, Washington.
- Mature Height: 75 - 100 ft
- Cold-Hardy & Long-Lived
- Narrow Pyramidal Form
- USDA Zones: 4 - 7
Aptos Blue Coast Redwood
The Aptos Blue Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens 'Aptos Blue') grows tall and straight, with blue-green foliage and spongy red bark. With graceful weeping branches, this Redwood offers timeless beauty and can live for thousands of years.
- Mature Height: 80 - 120 ft
- Evergreen Redwood
- Distinctive Weeping Branches
- USDA Zones: 7 - 9
Care & Maintenance for Large and Mature Trees
Big trees are long-term investments in shade, beauty, and habitat. Supporting them through the early growth years and then maintaining them as they mature ensures they thrive for generations. Here's how to give your giants the care they need:
- Start with strong roots: Young, fast-growing trees benefit from deep watering during their first 3-5 years. Water slowly and deeply once a week to encourage roots to grow down rather than stay shallow.
- Mulch wisely: Spread a 3-4 inch layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it a few inches from the trunk. Mulch regulates soil health, holds moisture, and protects roots from lawn mower damage.
- Fertilize carefully: Established trees may need nutrient boosts. Use a slow-release tree fertilizer in early spring. For mature trees, fertilization is only needed if a soil test shows deficiencies.
- Prune for structure and safety: Train young giants with light pruning to establish strong branch angles. For mature trees, prune out deadwood and storm-damaged limbs. Always hire a certified arborist for large cuts.
- Protect the root zone: Avoid compacting soil by parking vehicles or placing heavy equipment near the tree's drip line. For established trees, the root system often extends far beyond the canopy.
- Monitor for pests and disease: Large, older trees may become vulnerable. Inspect bark, leaves, and canopy health each season, and treat with dormant oil spray or fungicides only when needed. Encourage beneficial insects where possible.
- Hydrate during drought: Even mature giants need water during prolonged dry spells. Use a soaker hose or slow-release drip system to reach deep roots.
- Support during storms: For newly planted big trees, staking may be necessary in windy areas, but remove supports after one to two years. For mature specimens, regular inspections reduce the risk of falling limbs.
Grand Trees For Generations!
These towering trees are more than just landscaping - they're legacy makers, shade providers, and wildlife havens. If one of these isn't right for your space, explore our full collection of large trees at Nature Hills Nursery. Bring home a mighty, leafy fortress for future generations.
Do it for the wildlife, do it for the shade, do it for life. Order your giant tree today at NatureHills.com!
Happy Planting!
