Choose The Right Tree

The trees you choose to landscape your home not only add beauty, they can help cut energy costs by providing shade in the summer and windbreaks from strong winds in the winter. Trees clean the air, reduce noise, create privacy and can increase a property’s value. The right tree for your particular environment and the right spot to plant the tree in your yard are important considerations in order to get all these benefits from the trees. 

To ensure a tree’s maximum life-span, consider what the tree needs in regard to your environmental factors. The first consideration is temperature because low temperatures, especially if they occur suddenly, can freeze and kill the living cells in trees. Elevation and which side of a hill where the tree will be planted also needs to be taken into consideration because these factors influence the temperature.

The amount of moisture the tree needs will also help you determine which species will be suitable for your yard. Each species tolerates wet or dry growing conditions to a different degree. Special attention must be given to your selection if your yard is periodically flooded, or very dry, or is continually exposed to the drying effect of wind. Watering can be modified on a dry site, but, even when you irrigate, it is important to know the optimal soil moisture requirements for your species.

The amount of shade a tree will tolerate is another consideration. Some species, like white birch and most pines, require full sunlight. Other species, like most maples, hemlocks and yews, grow well in shade. Don’t make the mistake of planting your tree where it is mismatched with the amount of available light.

Every locality has its problems with particular insects or diseases. The best way to avoid trouble is to avoid the species that are prone to having these pests. Although it is possible to buy varieties that have been bred for resistance to a disease, in most cases planting a species which is prone to local pests is asking for trouble because it places the tree under stress that makes it more vulnerable to insects and disease.

Soil factors are important when selecting a tree. Soil depth, structure and pH, in addition to soil moisture, can make the difference between success or failure after planting. For example, deep-rooted species will need adequate soil depth for their structural roots, whereas shallow-rooted species may do all right on sites where soils thinly cover bedrock or a hard layer of clay. Species that need light, sandy soil should not be planted in rocky or clay-type soils.

Unfortunately, the ability of a species to tolerate air pollution is becoming more important. Chemicals in the air vary with localities, and, in some cases, the accumulative effects of pollution are just beginning to show up. Salt spray from either the ocean or street de-icing can be a problem locally, and some species are more sensitive to it than others. Where these are problems, ask a certified arborist, nursery professional, urban forester, or extension agent about which trees to avoid.

After choosing a species that will grow well in your environment, your next consideration is where the tree should be planted. Providing shade is why many people plant trees. Trees provide a greater cooling effect than man-made structures because they not only block the rays of the sun, they add water to the air through transpiration. Observation is the best way to determine where to plant to maximize shade. Position the tree where you want the shadow during the hottest time of the year and the time of day you desire the shade.

Pre-plan where you will plant your trees. One good principle is to never locate a tree where it will split your lot or a view into equal halves. Another is to use your trees to enhance the house and lot. For example, to give the lot an appearance of greater depth, plant on a diagonal line outward from the front corners of the house. This is called framing. Trees planted behind the house and to the side will provide background. Trees can also add visual appeal to a patio, pool or play area; or they can be used to separate spaces and provide space enclosure. Trees with color or some other showy feature can be used as accent points in your landscaping picture.

When planting trees as windbreaks and screens, low-branching conifers that hold their foliage are most effective for screening unsightly areas and providing privacy. Noise is best reduced by tall, densely planted trees with fleshy, broad leaves. If combined with conifers, some noise reduction can be extended throughout the year. Dust can also be filtered by such a combination.

Boundaries can be defined with trees. Small, narrow-crowned species will do the job while not invading your neighbor’s space. Available space is probably the consideration most often overlooked or misunderstood when deciding what tree to plant. Even for a professional, it is often difficult to envision the planting site 5, 10, or 20 years in the future. Yet, it is essential before planting to know what the tree will look like as it nears maturity. Consider the height, crown, spread and root space. The character of tree crowns varies among species as much as leaf shapes or bark patterns. Shape is another clue to how well a tree will fit the space you have available, what problems might occur, and how well it will help meet the goals you have for your property.

This article has been provided by the MBA, a non-profit and non-partisan association which represents the building industry in the metropolitan Milwaukee area. The information contained in this article was provided to the MBA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The MBA develops and offers education for consumers as well as members. By establishing business ethics and industry standards, the MBA has earned a reputation as a trusted resource. Consumers enjoy our promotions for housing and housing products, while members take part in our professional and social activities throughout the year.

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