Trees That Allow Sunlight To Hit Grass

Q: I have a new house with a young maple tree in front. I don’t want to stunt my small front lawn from growing. What’s the best tree that allows sunlight to come through? 

A: To have a nice lawn plus a tree, you need a tree with upright or oval branching habit, rather than the spreading branches of a maple. Consider kousa dogwood, crapemyrtle, hornbeam, and zelkova to replace the maple.