While some fast-growing trees may be tempting for your zone 3 Alberta yard, planting near your foundation requires selecting trees with non-invasive root systems to avoid future problems. Here are 6, zone 3 trees that are considered safe to plant near a foundation:
Click "Get A Quote" To Have Edmonton Arborist's Expert Tree Planting Team Bring Over And Plant Your New Tree
Amur Cherry
Why It’s Great:
- Unique glossy bark
- Beautiful fragrant spring flowers
- Hardy and disease resistant
This multi-seasonal beauty offers spring flowers, summer fruits, vibrant fall foliage, and glossy copper coloured bark. It’s tolerant of cold and drought and has a well-behaved root system that won’t threaten your foundation.
Pagoda Dogwood
why It’s Great:
- Very hardy
- Beautiful flowers
- Unique uncommon shape and general appearance
This flowering tree (15-25 feet mature height) graces your yard with creamy white blooms in late spring. It has a moderate growth rate and a non-invasive root system, making it foundation friendly.
Brandon Cedar (Arborvitae)
Why It’s Great:
- Narrow low maintenance shape
- Hardier arborvitae cultivar (Although still sometimes prone to winter damage while establishing)
- Year round privacy value and aesthetic appeal
Brandon Cedar is known for its bright green, feathery foliage and slightly bushier growth habit compared to the Eastern White Cedar. It’s a good choice for hedges, screens, or foundation plantings.
Lilacs
Why It’s Great:
- Who doesn’t love lilacs!
- Lower maintenance, longer lasting flowers, and compact tree form (compared to lilac bush)
These popular flowering shrubs (8-12 feet mature height) come in various colors and offer a fragrant springtime display. Their compact size and non-invasive root systems make them ideal for foundation plantings.
Hydrangea (Tree Form)
Why It’s Great:
- Flowers almost all spring and summer
- Compact low maintenance
Hydrangeas are true juggernauts when it comes to flower duration. Bursting into magnificent floral displays in the spring with their peers; the later months of summer and early fall see the Hydrangea become a true rare seasonal gem, as the only trees still sporting their resplendent garb.
Noteworthy:
- Not Fragrant-Flowers are not particularly fragrant. Especially compared to the lilac
- Long Lasting Flowers: Flowers stick around for months after the lilac and other popular choices have dropped theirs
Featured On:
Consumer choice award for Northern Alberta tree services 2022 and 2023!
