The Best Trees to Plant in Your Midwest Yard – What We Chose and Why

Midwest Landscaping Ideas: Best Flowering and Fruit Trees for Your Yard

After living in our home for six years, we finally crossed something big off our outdoor wishlist: planting trees! This spring, we rolled up our sleeves and added some beautiful new life to our yard. In our front yard, we planted a 6-foot tall Japanese flowering cherry tree, and in the backyard, we planted two different cherry species—a Bing cherry and a Tartarian cherry tree.

We’ve dreamed about planting trees for years, but like many projects, it always ended up on the “someday” list. This year, the timing felt right—and now our yard feels more complete and full of promise.

Why We Chose These Trees

Each of these trees was chosen with care. Living in the Midwest (were in Zone 5), you have to think about what can survive our cold winters, thrive in full sun, and bring both beauty and function to your yard. Here’s why our picks work well in this region:

🌸 Japanese Flowering Cherry Tree (Front Yard)

This was our “statement tree,” and it’s already turning heads.

Why It Works in the Midwest:

• We chose a Northern Grown variety, hardy to Zone 5, which makes it suitable for Illinois winters.

• These trees thrive in full sun, and ours has a sunny spot with great drainage.

• At maturity, it will reach around 25–30 feet tall and wide, giving us a stunning canopy in future years.

What to Expect:

• Our tree is 6 feet tall now, and we expect it to bloom in the next 1–2 springs as it adjusts to its new home.

• The blooms will come in early spring—gorgeous pink flowers that are iconic and short-lived, but truly magical.

• Flowering cherry trees are primarily ornamental and do not produce edible fruit.

@firstthymemom Replying to @Kenzie How to plant a tree round 2! Planted it, realized we did it completely wrong, unplanted it, and gave it a proper redo. Pretty sure this tree already thinks we’re nuts…but at least it’s finally in the ground for good! Thank you Kenzie for the tips, we needed them!!🌳😂 #treetok #L#LearningAsWeGrowGardeningAdventures #treeplanting #trees #CherryBlossomTree #cherryblossom #planttok #fyp #viral ♬ original sound - First Thyme Mom

🍒 Bing Cherry & Tartarian Cherry Trees (Backyard)

In the back, we went with a mix of beauty and utility. We love the idea of trees that not only look beautiful but also give us fruit to enjoy.

Why They Work in the Midwest:

• Both are cold-hardy species that tolerate Midwest winters.

• They prefer full sun, which our backyard generously provides.

• Cherry trees help attract pollinators, which is great for your garden’s ecosystem.

What to Expect:

• Bing cherry trees typically start producing fruit in their 4th to 5th year.

• Tartarian cherry trees are a bit faster, and can begin producing fruit around 3–4 years.

• Patience is key—while the trees may grow quickly in height, fruit production takes time as the roots establish and the tree matures.

The Importance of Pruning:

• Pruning is essential to the health and productivity of cherry trees.

• It improves air circulation, reduces the risk of disease, and encourages better fruit production.

• Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, focusing on removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches.

@firstthymemom Planted our Bing cherry tree…just once this time. We learned a lot planting our Japanese cherry blossom tree on the “how to plant a tree” front. We had to plant two cherry tree species to ensure good cross pollination. Here’s to having cherries in 4-7 years!🍒🌳😂 #gardenadventures #cherrytree #cherries #dirtdonthurt #Gardening #trees #fruittrees #planttok #growwithme #GreenThumb #fyp #viral ♬ original sound - First Thyme Mom

🌸 Bonus Favorite: Lilac Bushes

While we were in planting mode, we couldn’t skip over lilacs. Though not trees, these flowering bushes are iconic in Midwest yards—and for good reason.

Why Lilacs Are a Midwest Favorite:

• They’re incredibly cold-hardy and thrive in Zones 3–7.

• Their blooms are fragrant, nostalgic, and stunning in mid-to-late spring.

• Once established, they’re low maintenance and can live for decades.

• Lilacs also make excellent natural privacy screens if planted in groups.

Planting trees is such a hopeful act—it’s about creating something beautiful that grows over time. Now that we’ve planted our cherry blossom and fruit trees, we’re excited to watch them evolve with each season.

If you’ve been dreaming of planting trees but haven’t gotten around to it, this is your sign! Whether it’s for springtime blooms, fresh summer fruit, or simply adding character to your yard, the right trees and bushes can make a lasting impact.

Let us know—have you planted anything new in your yard this year?

Best trees for Midwest yards, trees to plant in Illinois, cherry trees in cold climates, flowering trees for Midwest, low maintenance trees for backyard, Japanese cherry blossom tree care, Bing cherry tree Midwest, Tartarian cherry tree zone 5, when do cherry trees bloom in Illinois, fruit trees that grow in Midwest, how to grow cherry trees in backyard, best ornamental trees for front yard, Zone 5 flowering trees, cold hardy cherry trees, Japanese flowering cherry growth rate, lilac bush care tips, when to prune cherry trees, backyard fruit tree guide, Midwest gardening tips, what to plant in front yard, best trees for full sun, Midwest tree planting guide, front yard landscaping trees, Midwest fruit tree timeline, spring blooming trees for Midwest, easy trees to grow in Zone 5, best cherry trees for beginners, how long for cherry trees to bear fruit, why prune cherry trees, best flowering bushes for Midwest, low maintenance landscaping bushes, lilacs for Illinois yards, pruning tips for cherry trees, Midwest gardening inspiration, how to care for Japanese cherry trees, planting trees in spring Midwest, cherry blossom tree Midwest, edible fruit trees for backyard, backyard orchard ideas, Midwest landscaping plants, how to start a fruit tree garden, best trees for seasonal color, cherry tree maintenance, hardy trees for cold climates, flowering trees for spring, Zone 5 backyard ideas, Midwest native plants, fast growing trees for privacy, trees that bloom in early spring, beginner-friendly fruit trees, best time of year in the midwest to plant a tree.