• In the autumn, the leaves of northern red oaks turn brick red.Red oak tree in autumn with blue sky and white cloud image by Freshwater Seas from Fotolia.com
  
  Landscaping any site, whether it's a public park, school grounds, newly developed golf course or homesite, is a project that requires a certain degree of planning. This is particularly true when it comes to planting trees. Factors such as soil type, growth characteristics and the size of the area to be planted are important considerations. If you live in Michigan, there are numerous native trees such as red oak, white ash and eastern white pine that work well in most environments.
  
  

Northern Red Oak

• Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is a popular landscaping tree well-suited to much of Michigan. Red oaks grow rapidly, possess moderate drought tolerance, and thrive in many different soil types, provided they are well-drained. As a mature specimen may have a breadth of 50 feet and could grow 150 feet tall, it should be planted in an open expanse where it will have plenty of room to flourish. A northern red oak is an excellent shade tree that might survive as long as 400 years.
  
  

White Ash

• According to the United States Department of Agriculture, white ash (Fraxinus americana) is another excellent landscaping candidate. White ash frequently is planted in parks and other public spaces. Like a northern red oak, white ash is often planted as a shade tree. As the tree might grow to 100 feet in height, it. too. should be planted where it will not interfere with the growth of other species. As winter approaches, the leaves of the white ash change from green to a purple-bronze color.
  
  

Eastern White Pine

• Another landscaping tree well-suited to the sandy soil areas of Michigan is the eastern white pine (Pinus stobus). The tree's foliage consists of clusters of five needles. The needles are soft to the touch and when dried, make excellent mulch for acid-loving plants such as mountain laurel or rhododendrons. An eastern white pine can become quite large. A mature specimen may reach a height of 150 feet, so these trees must be spaced accordingly. Because the trees are relatively shallow rooted, they often are used for erosion control as well as landscaping.
  
  

American Sycamore

• Because of its rapid growth and tolerance to air pollution, the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) frequently is planted as a street tree, in public parks, or the picnic areas at highway rest stops. It requires proper spacing when planted, as a mature example can easily top out at over 100 feet. Perhaps the most distinctive characteristic of the American sycamore is the natural exfoliation (falling away) of portions of the outer bark, creating a patchwork of green, white and pale brown. The tree is visually appealing and a terrific shade tree.