Adding a tree to a patio area can enhance your space in many ways. It can add beauty, create shade, screen wind, and even serve as a privacy screen. However, if you don’t make the right tree choices, they can also cause problems such as dropping debris and creating a mess or encroaching on the patio space.
That’s why the proper tree choice is so important. You want to know that you’ve selected a tree that will enhance your space (not take away from it in any way).
To help get you started, we’ve rounded up a list of the 10 best patio trees. It can give you an idea of what trees might make a good choice for your Great Falls, VA property.
A List of the Best Patio Trees
While there are many different trees that can be great choices around a patio, we’ve rounded up a list of what we think are some of the best.
1. Crape Myrtle
The Crape Myrtle is a beautiful tree, that is quintessentially associated with the South. Its resistance to drought and heat makes it a relatively low maintenance choice and its gorgeous blooms offer a lot of aesthetic appeal. It’s the type of tree you can really enjoy gazing at from your patio.
However, it’s important to know that it can drop some debris so you’ll need to be prepared to sweep off your patio. Your landscape professional will also pay attention to the way the wind blows and pick the perfect location.
2. Cryptomeria
This is a lovely evergreen option that can grow really tall and give you a lot of shade. If you have a patio that’s in the full sun and it can become miserable to enjoy it because you feel like you’re “baking,” then shade trees can be an incredibly welcomed addition.
Like other evergreens, Cryptomeria will hold its color year-round. It’s specifically known for its unique, broad, pyramid-like shape. Though its leaves appear prickly, it’s actually quite soft.
When installing any tree (but particularly large varieties), it’s always important to pay attention to the future size of the root system. The last thing that you want is for the roots to grow underneath of your patio and start wreaking havoc. A landscape professional will ensure that the proper planting location is determined ahead of time.
3. European Hornbeam
The European Hornbeam makes our list of the best patio trees for its ability to serve as a great screen as well as a wonderful windbreak tree. If you are looking to gain some additional privacy, then this makes a great choice. Thanks to its dense nature, it can also deflect some wind so that you can enjoy your patio on a windy day.
Though slow growing, this deciduous tree can grow to a mature height of 40 to 60 feet so the long-term future root system of this tree should be considered during installation. 
4. Black Gum Tree
This tree is native to North America and is often chosen because it offers stunning fall color. Fall foliage appears in shades of orange, purple, red, and yellow. These trees can reach a mature height of 30 to 50 feet. It has a slow to moderate growth rate.
The Black Gum Tree is often chosen as a specimen tree. It can also provide some nice shade to your patio.
5. Weeping White Spruce
This evergreen choice makes our list for the best patio trees because of its ability to provide a privacy screen. The Weeping White Spruce’s weeping branches add a graceful touch to your landscape. Thanks to its densely packed needles, it can also function as a windscreen.
It’s an elegant addition that will also add year-round color to your property.
6. Gingko Tree
The Gingko Tree is an attractive deciduous option. It is highly tolerant of various environmental conditions making it a low maintenance choice. It can provide both beauty and shade as well.
Just be sure to choose the male version of this tree, which doesn’t drop unpleasant-smelling fruit like the female version. 
7. Dwarf Weeping Cherry
The Dwarf Weeping Cherry is a small, ornamental relative of the more common cherry tree. Similar to the cherry tree, these plants grow quickly and produce sweet-smelling and stunning blossoms. However, they are much more compact and do not grow the messy fruit, making it a much better choice for around a patio.
The Dwarf Weeping Cherry is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an attractive tree to be able to enjoy from your patio.
8. Dwarf Weeping Redbud
This gorgeous and compact redbud is another excellent choice for around a patio. Known for its weeping canopy and clusters of lavender/red blooms, it packs in a ton of appeal in a small-sized tree (growing around 5 to 6 feet tall). It’s a really attractive addition that you’ll be able to enjoy while lounging on your patio.
9. Japanese Maple
The Japanese Maple is a small deciduous tree with a broadly spreading crown. It is native to Japan and known for its deep red or purple coloring in the fall and its delicate leaves that spread out like a palm.
In addition to being beautiful, the Japanese Maple is also a hardy tree. It is relatively hassle-free and has very few insect or disease problems, making it a great choice for the best patio trees. It can be the perfect choice for a specimen tree.
10. American Holly
This is another easy-to-care-for choice that has made it on our list of the best patio trees both for its low maintenance nature as well as well as the fact that it has the benefit of being resistant to deer damage.
The American Holly grows to a height of approximately 40 to 50 feet and grows in a pyramidal shape. 
Working with a Landscape Professional for the Best Patio Trees and More
Of course, tree selection is ultimately just one part of the process. In order to truly have the most success, you’ll also want to work with a landscape professional who will install those trees properly. When a tree isn’t installed properly, it can fail.
Proper placement is a big part of this.
The truth is, you could select a tree off of this list that could be a good choice if planted a little further back from the patio. However, if it’s planted too close, the roots could start becoming a problem or maybe branches could even begin to take over the patio space. It’s so important that a landscape professional takes all considerations into account.
Using a talented landscape designer who will also position trees in the landscape in a thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing way is also important. After all, you want everything to come together in a way that you can enjoy to the fullest. While a patio can be an amazing space to entertain and spend time outside, the right landscape can make it even more enjoyable.
At Rock Water Farm, we can help you make all of your backyard dreams come true by not only completing your outdoor living area with a patio but also choosing the best patio trees—and installing them properly, too. Your dream space can come together in a way that you’ll absolutely love.
If you’re ready to get a landscape that helps you enjoy your Great Falls, VA home even more, talk to an expert, choose a solution that rocks, and get ready to enjoy your property to the fullest.
Image Source: Crape Myrtle, Cryptomeria, European Hornbeam, Black Gum Tree, Weeping White Spruce, Gingko Tree, Dwarf Weeping Cherry, Dwarf Weeping Redbud, Japanese Maple, American Holly
