What is the difference between saying, "I believe there is a tree in my front yard" and "I believe God exists"?

The concept of belief internal to your mind is the same in both cases. Both statements imply that there is doubt as to the truth of the object of the sentence.

One object is tangible; the other is not.

The most common difficulties arise when the the verb "to believe" is used in debate interchangeably with the verb "to believe in". They are not the same.

For example:

"I believe you".

"I believe in you".

If most conversations would pay strict attention to this simple fact of language, there would be a lot less confusion and anger in the Philosophical, Religious and Political arenas of the world.

You can see and feel the tree but you cannot even see God =/ there's proof all over the world that trees exist but there is no evidence that god has ever existed.

The existence of the tree is easy to establish.

Even if you cut down the tree and burn it in the fireplace it's still a much better statement, even if wrong, than the belief in a super being.

The existence of a tree can be verified, independently corroborated and potentially falsified. The existence of a god cannot.

Depends if you actually have a tree in your front yard or not

trees exist god does not you sound weird saying you believe your imaginary friend actually exists.

you can see and touch the tree. But they do have one thing in common you can speak to them both and neither will talk back.

The first claim is verifiable by demonstrable evidence. The second claim has no demonstrable evidence verifying it to be true.

Nothing is different about the two, since there's nothing against it or anything saying that there is either.