Trees and Shrubs

Looking to plant a trees or shrub? Maybe several? You’re making a wise decision. Trees and shrubs add much to our existence, including beauty, shade, oxygen, flowers, fruits, and more. They can provide screening to enhance your views. If strategically placed, trees and shrubs can reduce a home’s cooling costs. And it’s said that every healthy, mature tree adds $1,500 to the value of the property, per tree. 

We'll help you choose

What’s the difference between a tree and a shrub? Generally, a tree is big. And a shrub is small. That was easy. Below we’ll look at the four basic tree/shrub categories: evergreen, shade, ornamental, and fruit-bearing trees and shrubs.

But, before you start buying, enlist the help of the professionals at McCammon's Irish Market in Greenwood! Trees almost live forever, so you’ll need to make the best decisions possible based on our USDA Hardiness Zone (6a), the location on your property, the type of soil present, the amount of moisture generally found in that soil, and more.  

 Oh, this is an easy one: An evergreen is… “ever green.” In other words, it does not lose its leaves/needles. Many people love evergreens for this reason. (Actually, evergreens do lose their leaves/needles but do so gradually.) Trees and shrubs can both be evergreens. 

A shade tree or shrub is grown for its ability to provide shade. In general, we’re talking about hefty trees with canopies that tend to spread out. Shade trees are usually deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves during dry conditions or during the winter. Shade trees and some shrubs can develop large root systems that can often damage foundations, so placement is critical.

These generally have beautiful shapes, spring flowers, berries or seed pods, and produce nice fall colors. And they grow to a height of 5 to 25 feet. An ornamental tree can be a rose tree, or a grafted evergreen, or even a topiary evergreen. People sometimes use the small and dwarf trees to provide interest, define an entryway, or provide shade for a patio.

Most of us love fruit, right? And some of us like the idea of growing our own fruit! McCammon’s Irish Market has fruit bearing trees and shrubs that can grow in the Greater Indianapolis metro area. Don’t expect to harvest any coconuts or pineapples here in our USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. But there are many fruit-bearing trees and shrubs that will provide some of your favorite fruits.