Fall in Love with These 11 Stunning Trees with Heart-Shaped Leaves

Heart-shaped trees, also known as heart-shaped or heart-shaped leaves, add a different look and feel to your garden. While many tree species have palm-shaped or lobed leaves, a few trees have heart-shaped leaves. There’s a heart-shaped tree for every yard and every climate, from the far north to the tropics. Find the perfect tree to add romance to your garden from the following list of trees.

01. American Liden

The American linden (Tilia americana), also known as the basswood, is a large shade tree native to North America east of the Rocky Mountains. It has fragrant flowers and heart-shaped leaves. The honey from bees that visit the tree’s blossoms in spring is highly prized for its delicate scent and flavor. Its leaves turn golden yellow in fall, and its gray-brown bark becomes distinctive once you learn to recognize it, with long grooves and even ridges.

02. Eastern Redbud

The Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a beautiful native tree with beautiful spring flowers that attract pollinators. Its small height makes it ideal for tight spaces. Its trunk usually splits close to the ground, giving it the appearance of a large, multi-stemmed flowering shrub.

03. Dove Tree

The dove tree (Davidia involucrata) is a small flowering tree native to China. Also called the ghost tree or handkerchief tree, these names come from their unique spring blooms. Two large white petals (the structures surrounding the flower) flutter gently in the light breeze, reminiscent of white birds, spirits, or tissues in the tree. After flowering, the trees produce round, golf-ball-sized fruits. Fall colors range from yellow to orange and red.

04. Balsam Poplar

The Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera) is a deciduous tree native to the North that is very cold-hardy. The resinous buds give off a scent that gives it its name. Young trees have smooth gray-green bark that becomes grayer and more wrinkled as the tree matures. The large, heart-shaped leaves, 4 to 6 inches long, turn bright yellow and gold in the fall. Since this fast-growing tree prefers moist areas, it is an excellent choice for areas that are too wet for other trees.

05. Southern Catalpa

The Southern Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides) is a medium-sized tree with light green, heart-shaped leaves that can reach 12 inches tall. Clusters of fragrant white flowers appear in early summer. Also known as the bean tree or cigar tree, it produces long, bean-like seed pods that hang from the tree. The loose, open, somewhat random branch pattern is best for a patio or informal garden. Before planting, be careful because some people find the scent of crushed plants unpleasant.

06. Little-leaved Linden

The little-leaved linden (Tilia cordata) is a medium-sized tree with a botanical name that includes the Latin word for heart shape. little-leaved linden trees are also called small-leaved lime trees, although they do not produce the delicious green citrus fruits. The heart-shaped leaves turn yellow-green in the fall.

07. Katsura Tree

The Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) is a large tree native to Japan and Korea that has heart-shaped leaves that are dark green in the summer but turn beautiful shades of gold and orange in the fall. As the leaves change color, the tree produces a chemical called maltol. This is why Katsura trees give off a cotton candy or burnt sugar smell in the fall.

08. Northern Catalpa

The northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) is in the same genus but is a different species from its southern cousins. The northern catalpa grows quickly when young and begins to slow down as it matures. It does not suffer from the foul-smelling leaves of the southern catalpa. Although the northern catalpa is an attractive ornamental tree, it can be susceptible to breakage in winds and under snow loads. Plant it away from walkways, buildings, and drainage systems.

09. Italian Alder

The Italian alder (Alnus cordata) is a medium to large tree native to Europe, Corsica, and southern Italy. The cones appear in early spring before the glossy, heart-shaped leaves. The fruiting cones are the largest in the Alnus genus, resembling small pine cones. This fast-growing tree is a favorite for planting in wet locations, although this amazingly adaptable tree will also grow well in dry locations.

10. Japanese Lilac Tree

Larger than its bushy lilac relatives, the Japanese lilac (Syringa reticulata) is a beautiful small tree that can have multiple trunks or a single trunk. It blooms later in spring than traditional lilacs, with a creamy white color instead of lavender. The flowers are fragrant and attract pollinators.

11. Quaking Aspen

For a patio tree, it’s hard to beat the quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). These fast-growing trees are native to most parts of North America, are important to wildlife, and are beautiful when planted in small groups of three or more trees. Their trunk is single and straight, and their bark ranges from nearly white to light gray, smooth except for dark gray horizontal stripes.

Quaking Aspen trees are known for their fluttering, rustling leaves that flutter in the slightest breeze. A gust of wind stirs and sways their plants, creating a distinctive rustle that’s enough to attract them to your patio. In fall, the thorns turn yellow, gold, or bright salmon.