Attractive landscaping is a fundamental characteristic of any successful rental property. A green, trim yard with the visual appeal can not only help you attract and keep quality tenants but may raise your property values as well. One of the most beneficial elements you can include in your rental property’s landscape design is a beautiful tree. But not all trees are a good choice for rental homes. Ideally, you would plant a tree that offers both beauty and shade while still being relatively easy to maintain. Before you choose a tree for your Somerville rental property, it’s a good idea first to consider which varieties make the best options.
One method to choose the best trees for your rental property is to understand what your low-maintenance options are. No tenant will want to waste hours or days raking leaves, cleaning up seedpods, or dealing with a bumper crop of fruit. Avoid fruit trees at all costs. They not only make a tremendous mess, but they can be an attraction for insects, rodents, and other pests. Preferably, consider low-mess trees like the evergreen arborvitae or spruce.
Arborvitae is a tall, elegant-looking tree that is very low-maintenance. It thrives well in many climates and can be pruned and shaped into hedges or privacy screens. Spruce, on the other hand, is a sharp-needled evergreen that works very well in cooler climates. Spruce trees are slow-growing and require only minimal care, making them a very economical option for easy-care landscaping.
If leafy trees are more your inclination, the best two that are least-messy varieties are the flowering dogwood and the maple tree. There are many kinds of dogwood trees, but the flowering varieties are the most popular since they produce large flowers in the spring and dark red leaves in the fall. Dogwoods tend to grow quickly, contributing both beauty and shade for your rental house in a few short years. The maple tree, on the other hand, is the autumn beauty that offers plenty of shade in warmer months. Maple trees do drop their leaves in the fall, as does the dogwood tree, but maple trees have no flowers or berries. Maple trees also come in a range of sizes and varieties.
Beyond these four low-maintenance trees, you may well consider the top picks of professional landscapers for your rental property’s yard. For most landscapers, it’s hard to go wrong with an oak tree. They are majestic, shady wonders that work in many different climates. Still, keep in mind that oak trees tend to grow slowly, so the shade may take a few years to develop.
If you prefer a smaller, flowering tree, consider adding a desert willow or a Japanese lilac to the yard. They work well in smaller spaces, are easy to care for, and have flowers on them much longer than other trees. These features make them a beautiful addition to a low-maintenance landscape.
A few other options to consider include:
- Leyland Cypress
- Sycamore
- Palo Verde
- European Beech
- Japanese Stewartia
In the end, the best trees for your rental property will be ones that you choose based on your climate, preferences, and existing landscaping. There are many great options, all of which will add beauty and value to your property for years to come.
Now that your landscaping is taken care of, who’s going to maintain it? Real Property Management NJ Elite offers a full list of Somerville property management services, and that includes regular maintenance, inside and out. Contact us online or call us at 908-955-7487 for more information.
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