If you’ve been thinking about adding trees to your property, there’s no better time to act than right now. March is the sweet spot for tree planting in the Sacramento Valley, warm enough for roots to begin establishing, but cool enough to spare new trees from the punishing summer heat that’s just around the corner.
Tree Care Incorporated has been helping homeowners, HOAs, and commercial property owners throughout the greater Sacramento area choose, plant, and care for trees for decades. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best trees to plant this March for maximum summer shade, lasting curb appeal, and long-term value in Rancho Cordova’s unique climate.
Best Shade Trees to Plant in March in the Sacramento Area
If summer shade is your primary goal, these are the top performers for Rancho Cordova properties.
Valley Oak (Quercus lobata): The Gold Standard for Sacramento Shade
The Valley Oak is California’s largest native oak and one of the most majestic shade trees you can plant in the Sacramento region. With a broad, spreading canopy that can reach 70 feet wide at maturity, a single Valley Oak can shade an entire yard.
Why it’s a great March planting choice:
- Deep-rooted California native with exceptional drought tolerance once established
- Extremely long-lived, a tree planted today can shade your grandchildren’s grandchildren
- Provides critical habitat for birds and wildlife
- Thrives in Rancho Cordova’s hot, dry summers with minimal supplemental water after the first few years
Best for: Large lots, parks, and properties where a long-term canopy is the priority.
Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis): The Best Shade Tree for Fall Color in Sacramento
If you want both summer shade and spectacular autumn color, the Chinese Pistache is one of the top choices for Rancho Cordova homeowners. It’s consistently ranked among the best street and landscape trees for the Central Valley.
Why it’s a great March planting choice:
- Dense, spreading canopy provides deep summer shade
- Brilliant orange and red fall foliage, a rare treat in Sacramento’s mild climate
- Highly heat and drought-tolerant once established
- Resistant to most pests and diseases common to the Sacramento Valley
- Grows to 25 to 35 feet tall with a broad canopy
Best for: Front yards, street-facing planting strips, and medium to large landscapes.
Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis): A California Native with Stunning Spring Blooms
The Western Redbud does double duty as both a flowering ornamental and a reliable shade provider. In late winter and early spring, it explodes into vivid magenta blooms before a single leaf appears, making it one of the most eye-catching trees in any Sacramento neighborhood.
Why it’s a great March planting choice:
- California native, perfectly adapted to our boom-and-bust rainfall patterns
- Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established
- Heart-shaped leaves provide attractive summer shade
- Brilliant magenta flowers emerge on bare branches in late February and March
- Compact size (10 to 18 feet) makes it ideal for smaller yards and under utility lines
Best for: Smaller yards, accent planting, and drought-conscious landscapes.
Raywood Ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa ‘Raywood’): Fast-Growing Shade for Rancho Cordova Homes
For homeowners who want shade sooner rather than later, the Raywood Ash is one of the fastest-growing shade trees suited to the Sacramento Valley. It can put on several feet of growth per year when young and well-watered.
Why it’s a great March planting choice:
- Fast growth means meaningful shade within 3 to 5 years of planting
- Rich burgundy fall color adds seasonal interest
- Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions common in Rancho Cordova
- Grows to 25 to 35 feet with a well-rounded, dense canopy
Note: Avoid planting Raywood Ash if Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been confirmed in your immediate area. Consult with a Tree Care Incorporated arborist for the latest guidance on ash tree planting in Sacramento County.
Best for: Homeowners wanting faster shade establishment on medium to large properties.
Best Curb Appeal Trees to Plant in March in Sacramento
Beyond shade, the right tree can dramatically elevate your home’s street presence and overall property value. These are the top ornamental choices for Rancho Cordova curb appeal.
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia): Sacramento’s Favorite Summer Flowering Tree
Walk down almost any street in the Sacramento region in July or August, and you’ll see Crape Myrtles in full, spectacular bloom. There’s a reason they’re everywhere; they are simply one of the best ornamental trees for our climate.
Why it’s a great March planting choice:
- Showstopping summer blooms in white, pink, red, lavender, and deep purple
- Extremely heat and drought-tolerant, thrives in Sacramento summers
- Multi-season interest: flowers in summer, colorful foliage in fall, attractive bark in winter
- Available in a wide range of sizes, from compact shrub forms to 30-foot trees
- Low maintenance and highly disease-resistant
Important note: Avoid “crape murder,” the damaging practice of topping Crape Myrtles. Proper pruning by a certified arborist preserves the tree’s natural form and promotes better blooming. Tree Care Incorporated’s team can help you prune Crape Myrtles the right way.
Best for: Street-facing yards, driveways, and any property where summer color is a priority.
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): Elegant Curb Appeal for Rancho Cordova Landscapes
For a touch of refined, year-round elegance, few trees rival the Japanese Maple. With their lacy, deeply cut foliage in shades of burgundy, green, or variegated red and green, Japanese Maples are a standout in any landscape.
Why it’s a great March planting choice:
- Stunning foliage color from spring through fall, deep reds, purples, and greens depending on variety
- Compact size makes them ideal for smaller front yards, entryways, and courtyards
- Dramatic fall color adds major curb appeal in October and November
- Relatively low water needs once established, especially with proper mulching
Planting tip: In Rancho Cordova’s intense summer heat, Japanese Maples do best with afternoon shade from a structure or larger tree. A Tree Care Incorporated arborist can help you identify the best planting location on your property.
Best for: Smaller front yards, entryways, accent planting near patios, and courtyard gardens.
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora): Classic Beauty & Year-Round Greenery
For bold, classic curb appeal and year-round greenery, the Southern Magnolia is a timeless choice. Its large, glossy dark green leaves and enormous white flowers (some reaching 12 inches across) make a strong visual statement on any property.
Why it’s a great March planting choice:
- Evergreen: provides year-round visual screening and curb appeal
- Iconic, fragrant white blooms appear in late spring and summer
- Grows to 40 to 80 feet at maturity, providing substantial shade and presence
- Performs well in Sacramento Valley heat when properly established and watered
Best for: Larger properties, corner lots, or homeowners seeking a dramatic, long-term landscape anchor.
Best Fruit Trees to Plant in March for Beauty & Productivity
In Rancho Cordova’s warm climate, fruit trees do double duty: they provide seasonal beauty, spring blossoms, lush summer canopy, and vibrant fall foliage, while also producing an abundance of fresh fruit. March is the ideal planting month for most fruit trees in our region.
Fig (Ficus carica)
Figs are one of the easiest and most productive fruit trees for Sacramento-area gardens. They grow large and fast, offering substantial shade and beautiful, textured foliage in addition to sweet fruit. Extremely drought-tolerant once established.
Peach & Nectarine
Peaches thrive in Sacramento’s hot summers and cold enough winters to satisfy their chill hour requirements. Spring blossoms are gorgeous, and summer harvests are incredibly rewarding. Plant bare-root trees as early as possible in March for best results.
Apple
Several apple varieties perform well in Sacramento County. Look for low-chill varieties like ‘Anna,’ ‘Dorsett Golden,’ or ‘Fuji’ that are suited to our mild winters. Apple trees offer attractive spring blooms and reliable fall harvests.
Citrus (Lemon, Orange, Mandarin)
Citrus trees are evergreen, highly ornamental, and perfectly suited to Rancho Cordova’s warm climate. They provide year-round visual interest, fragrant spring blossoms, and fresh fruit from winter through early spring, depending on variety.
Ready to Plant? Contact Tree Care Inc. Today
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is this March. Don’t let another summer go by without the shade, beauty, and property value that the right trees can bring to your Rancho Cordova home or business.
Contact Tree Care Inc. today to schedule your spring tree planting consultation and make sure the right trees are in the ground before summer heat arrives.
