12 Dog Safe Trees for Your Backyard

Amur Maple

The botanical name of Amur Maple is Acer ginnala. This small tree grows up to 20 feet and has deciduous leaves. These trees are extremely popular due to the amazing color of their leaves in the fall. In autumn, they turn brilliant red before falling off. In addition to its immense beauty, Amur Maple is also safe for your pets, including dogs.   

Bamboo Palm

Although this dog-friendly plant is a shrub, it does require sufficient space in your backyard. According to the ASPCA, this flowering plant is not toxic for dogs. It could be a little surprising for you that bamboo palm is actually NOT a bamboo.  

The scientific name of the bamboo palm is Dypsis lutescens and it requires fairly warm temperatures to thrive. Having said that, you can grow these plants indoors in colder regions.

Coral Bells

This perennial plant is native to North America and was traditionally used for medicinal purposes. Its botanical name is Heuchera sanguinea but it is commonly known as Heuchera in the scientific world. The leaves of coral bells grow in several different colors ranging from green to black.

There are many different variations of this species and all these members of the Saxifragaceae family are non-toxic to dogs.

Crepe Myrtle

Scientifically known as Lagerstroemia, these trees are usually grown in warmer parts of the world. It is easy to maintain this species as you can keep it pretty small through regular pruning. Owing to their colorful flowers, Crepe Myrtles are often used as ornamentals in homes and public places. Similarly, the attractive bark of this tree also adds to its beauty.

If you are looking to keep your backyard dog-friendly, these robust and hardy trees are completely safe for your dogs.  

Dill

This aromatic herb is not only safe but also beneficial for dogs. This edible plant helps with the digestion of your dog and acts as a breath freshener. Being an anti-oxidant, it prevents inflammation, diabetes, and several other health problems.

You need to give this plant an ample space to grow as it can expand quite rapidly. The leaves and seeds of Dill are used worldwide for flavoring food but you will find an abundance of this herb in European dishes.

Dogwood Trees

The unmatched beauty of dogwood trees, across all seasons, is the ultimate reason for their popularity. However, spring blossoms and berries probably offer the most amazing sight. The combination of white and pink flowers with bright red berries is simply irresistible.

The fact that they are extremely easy to maintain makes them even more suitable for domestic gardens. Likewise, they are absolutely safe for pets which makes them an ideal choice for your backyard. According to the ASPCA, none of the various species of dogwood trees are toxic to dogs.

Honey Locust

In contrast to black locust, the leaves of honey locusts are perfectly safe for your dogs. Similarly, its fruit is used in livestock feed. Some of its chemicals are also used to treat human diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.

This tree grows pretty quickly until it attains a maximum height of 20-30 meters. Scientifically known as Gleditsia triacanthos, this species is native to central North America. Mostly, it grows in the moist soil of river valleys but can adapt to other environments.  

Oregon Grape

This evergreen herb from ‘Berberidaceae’ family of plants is an effective antibacterial for dogs. The oil of its root is excellent for treating cuts, punctures, and ear infections. Similarly, Oregon Grape Root is quite beneficial in cases of constipation and chronic skin disease. 

Despite its name, this species has nothing to do with grapes except that the color of its fruit is bluish-purple. Although the leaves of Mahonia aquifolium (scientific name) are a little spiny, they usually grow at a height that is inaccessible for most dogs. Consequently, the chances of any danger are minimized.  

Polka Dot Plant

Also known as the Measles Plant, Hypoestes phyllostachya is a low-growing perennial with spotty pink leaves. More often than that, these spots merge with each other to form larger regions. This gives a cheerful pink feel to your backyard or garden.

This species is regarded as a pet-safe houseplant because it is non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ideally, these plants will require an ample amount of light to grow properly but they do survive in poor lighting conditions. However, the color of the leaves will be completely green in this case.

Purple Basil

It is the perfect addition to your backyard if you are looking for a dog-friendly plant. In fact, basil offers a number of advantages to dogs such as immune-boosting, fighting cancer, and reducing pain. Its attractive color, alongside the health benefits, makes it an irresistible commodity.

Purple basil is very sensitive to frost. Due to this reason, it MUST be planted immediately after the frosting season has finished. This will allow you to enjoy the most of this plant until frost returns. Generally, basil is a very small plant but proper care can grow it beyond 20 inches.    

Star Magnolia

This is basically a Japanese species with evergreen leaves and fragrant blooms. One of the salient features of this tree is that it doesn’t cause any harm to animals (a non-toxic plant). Having said that, you should not include the fruit of this tree to your dog’s regular diet.

Magnolia stellata (botanical name) that can be converted into a shrub through regular pruning. These dog safe trees can attain a maximum height of 25 feet. In contrast to that, another type of Magnolia, called the Southern Magnolia, can grow up to 80 feet. Irrespective of their size and type, all magnolias are suitable for your garden.

Thyme

Yet another evergreen herb that is completely safe for your pets. Thyme is an extremely advantageous plant to grow in your backyard as it requires minimal attention. Small quantities of water and sun are enough for this plant to thrive. This is the reason why it is also called the Garden Thyme.

In addition to its ornamental purposes, Thymus vulgaris is also cultivated for its medicinal benefits. For instance, the essential oil of Thyme is an active ingredient of most commercial mouthwashes including Listerine. Prior to the advent of antibiotics, this oil was also used to medicate bandages.  

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