While selecting a tree for your property, once you have narrowed down your selection, the type of bark you are dealing with can make a huge difference. Having a unique bark adds an element of surprise to a landscape and can be the center of attraction once the trees shed their foliage during the winter season. Let’s take a look at some of the best trees with shaggy barks.
Some of the best shaggy bark trees include Red Maple, Silver Maple, Yellow Buckeye, Yellow Birch, River Birch, Shagbark Hickory, Eastern Red Cedar, Bald Cypress, and Northern White Cedar.
Top 9 Trees with Shaggy Bark
Red Maple is one of the best ornamental trees you can go for. But one thing to keep in mind is that this species can grow up to a height of 100ft, which makes it suitable only for larger areas. They are known for their bright red fall colors which instantly make them the center of attraction of any property.
On top of the attractive foliage, they are also known to have a shaggy bark which can really increase the beauty of your landscape during the winter season. Red Maple also happens to be one of the most abundant species in the United States. One of the reasons for this is their low maintenance and adaptability to different climates, which makes them ideal for urban plantations as well.
Silver Maple is the less popular cousin of the above species, because of its lack of brilliant red foliage but still turns out to be an excellent choice for landscaping purposes. They require very less maintenance and only grow up to a height of 45ft, making them perfect for medium-sized lawns and front yards.
They produce beautiful yellow foliage during the fall season, which is followed by the shaggy-looking gray colored bark. They produce a red-colored flower during the summer season and can survive a wide range of climates.
Yellow Buckeye is a deciduous species native to the Appalachian Mountains of the Eastern United States and are usually cultivated for their ornamental features and for screening purposes. They grow up to a height of 100-130ft which makes them ideal for large spaces or for growing in parks.
They have green foliage and a shaggy bark which elevates their look during their flowering season and add a touch of bright yellow to the scenery. During the winter season, its shaggy bark stands out in the area. One thing to note is that its fruit can be poisonous to humans unless treated or leached beforehand.
Yellow Birch has one of the most interesting barks on this list. It is primarily smooth with some flakes coming off which also give off a shaggy look. This species is native to North America and it is usually cultivated for its timber. This tree is more suitable for larger areas as it can grow up to a height of 80ft.
Yellow Birch is a deciduous variety with dark green foliage on the top and lighter green leaves on the bottom. They are also complemented by the yellow-purple flowers during the summer season which led to bright yellow foliage during the fall. The shaggy bark compliments the changing bright foliage and stands out during the winter season when the foliage is gone.
The bark of River Birch can be categorized into peeling bark, shaggy bark, and scaly bark depending on the stage of growth it is in. During its early years, River Birch has a peeling bark with curling paper-like bark which turns into a shaggy bark as it matures. When it is fully mature, the bark can be a mixture of both shaggy and scaly looks.
They grow up to a height of 80-100ft which makes them ideal for large lawns, parks, and fields. The leaves of this species have a dark green tone on the upper side and a light yellow on the underside which gives it a very catching look during the summer. The bark is the center of attraction during the winter season.
Shagbark Hickory has one of the most distinct barks and gives an extremely unique look to the area, especially during the winter season. They can grow up to a height of 100ft which does not make them an ideal choice for smaller properties. One thing to note is that the bark becomes fully shaggy once it has matured.
One more benefit of having this species is that it attracts a lot of small animals like red squirrels, chipmunks, etc. which can elevate the fauna of your area. They can live for an extremely long time, up to 350 years old. Their nuts can also be used as a food source.
Eastern Red Cedar is an excellent choice for landscaping. In poor soil, they hardly grow more than a large bush but with the right growing conditions, they can grow up to 60ft. This species is ideal for both small and large properties and will have dense green foliage year-round.
Their bark has a reddish-brown tint with fibrous narrow stipes which give off a shaggy look. They also provide winter food to a lot of birds in the form of berries, this is also one of the other advantages as they can attract a lot of different species of birds.
Bald Cypress is a deciduous conifer that can grow in a wide range of soil types and does not need a lot of maintenance. It is also the official tree of Louisiana. They grow up to a height of anywhere between 35-120ft depending on the variety you choose and how much you decide to prune them.
The main trunk of the tree shifts between gray to brown undertones with a shaggy and stringy texture which makes it stand out from the rest of the trees nearby. This species is evergreen in nature which guarantees rich green foliage all year round.
Northern White Cedar is another evergreen coniferous species that only grows up to a height of 40-50ft. This makes it perfect for front yards and backyards. On top of the year-round green foliage, its reddish brown striped shaggy bark adds a distinct tone to the surrounding area.
This species is majorly used for ornamental purposes. The seed cones add to the aesthetic quality of the species and make it preferable in the North Eastern United States. They ideally grow in wetter conditions and swamps.
Conclusion
Trees with shaggy bark are some of the most popular options for landscaping purposes. Some of the best options include Northern White Cedar, Shagbark Hickory, River Birch, Yellow Birch, and many more.
Recommended reading:
Trees with White Bark: The Best Options for Landscaping
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I am the guy behind Theyardable.com. I grew up on a homestead and I am here to share the knowledge I have and things I learn while living in the countryside.
