How to Choose a Tree
Planting trees is an easy and effective way to beautify
your property, provide shade in summer and wind protection in winter and
enhance privacy all while increasing real estate values at the same time.
Because there is so much variation in size, shape, growth habits and care
requirements, the type of tree you choose for your landscape will have
repercussions for years to come.
The first step in tree selection is to determine the type
of tree appropriate for your property and your needs. Climate
and soil play big roles. A date palm might have a tough time
surviving a Minneapolis winter, for example. And a water-hungry
willow would starve in the desert sands. Make sure that the tree
species you are considering can flourish in your local climate and soil
conditions (designated hardiness zone). And don’t forget some of
these other important factors:
Matching tree to site is a key part of the tree selection
process. What is the size of the site on which your new tree
or trees will be situated? How big will that spindly three-foot
sapling be in 30 or 40 years? Is an oak or a willow, either very
large when fully grown, the best tree for a small front lawn in a
city? On a large suburban lot, on the other hand, will a single
small tree or bush be lost in a vast expanse of lawn?
A crucial factor to consider is proximity to buildings,
sidewalks, driveways, streets, utility lines, overhead and buried, and
septic systems. Trees spread out both above and below ground
and branch overhang and root growth can cause considerable damage and
incur considerable expense if a tree is poorly situated. Consider the
planting location with respect to foundation, concrete and asphalt
structures, and drainage structures.
Trees can play an important role in climate control.
Deciduous trees planted on the south, west and east perimeters of a lot
will provide shade during the summer while allowing scarce sunlight
through in the winter when leaves have fallen. Evergreens, on the other
hand, planted on the north and west sides of a property, can reduce winter
heating costs by serving as windbreaks.
Drainage is yet another issue to consider. Young
trees do best when planted in good-quality, well-drained loamy soil. Heavy
clays in poorly-drained sites present particular problems as many species
of trees including white firs, yellowwoods, beeches, red oaks and yews
will not tolerate ‘wet feet.’ In all cases, stagnant water pooling
around roots can lead to ‘root rot’ caused by lack of available
oxygen.
You can do a general test for soil drainage by digging a
hole in the planting area and filling it with water. If the water hasn’t
drained away in a couple of hours, drainage may be an issue. In areas
where drainage is a particular problem, planting in raised beds of 12 to
18 inches of well-drained quality topsoil may be a solution.
Soil quality in new subdivisions often presents
tree-planting problems. Construction materials, in addition to creating
unsightly and difficult-to-work rubble, can alter the soils fertility by
raising or lowering pH. Chemical and petroleum spills, which often occur
during building construction, pose additional concerns. In cases where
soil contamination is severe, the only solution may be to scrape away the
contaminated soil and replace it with good quality topsoil at a depth
associated with your planting objectives.
Personal taste is another key consideration. Think
of how different kinds of new trees can enhance the attractiveness of your
property. Make a list of the kinds of trees you admire and think about how
they would look. Consider how your selection will fill in to the planting
area over time. Make a few sketches or, if you don’t trust your own
artistic talent, consult available landscape design software, or a
landscape designer.
Trees purchased from wholesale and retail nurseries and
garden supply stores generally come in one of three forms:
Balled and Burlapped.
The roots of the tree and the ball of soil containing the roots are
bound in burlap.
Container-Grown.
The plant is sold in the container in which it was grown.
Bare-Rooted.
The plant is sold with the roots exposed. Not very common with
trees.
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