Ideal Trees for a Parking Lot

Some trees are a lot sturdier than others. Some are decorative and dainty. Others are sturdy and hearty. If you desire to spruce up your property, below are some ideal trees for a parking lot. You have to be sure that the trees are resilient.

Advantages
A parking lot is a big expanse of paving. There's not much to it. Trees can break up the monotony and bring some shade. Planting trees in your parking lot stop soil erosion, enhances curb appeal, and adds oxygen to your setting.

Challenges
One of the significant obstacles to planting trees in your parking lot is that there usually isn’t the right amount of topsoil. The part of the soil beneath the topsoil is really low in oxygen and not root friendly. The other two challenges to growing trees in a parking lot are too much heat and not enough water.

Since pavement is made to eliminate water as fast as possible, it can leave trees without adequate water. Depending on the angles and pavement, your trees can become over watered with the excess water pooling near the roots. The heat is a big issue since the pavement draws the heat and light from the sun, which is also reflected from any nearby buildings.

Top Trees for Parking Lots

Elm - Once the most familiar street tree in the U.S., the elm was almost exterminated when Dutch elm disease struck in the 30s. When that was handled, it has been making a comeback and is perfect for parking lots.

Zelkova' Green Vase' - This tree is excellent for an urban setting since it’s very tolerant of drought, compacted soil, wind, and pollution.

Crape Myrtle - The Crape Myrtle has fabulous blooms in a host of colors. It might look flimsy, but it’s very sturdy. Crape Myrtles adore heat, which makes them ideal for parking lots which can get very hot.

Littleleaf Linden - Regardless if your parking lot is in the shade or sun, this tree will give it a bright look and fresh scent. The littleleaf linden is unaffected by compacted soil, air pollution, or poor drainage so it will do well in a parking lot setting.

Red Maple - The red maple is quite hardy and will grow anywhere. You can find it growing anywhere from dry soil to swamps.

Picking the right trees for your parking lot will avoid you from having to get tree and stump removal service in the future. If you need more help, reach out to a tree care professional who can provide expert advice. Your trees will be safe and thriving as they beautify your landscape. ​

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