WHICH TREES SHOULD I SELECT?

    Tree selection is one of the most important investment decisions a
    home owner makes when landscaping a new home or replacing a
    tree lost to damage or disease. Considering that most trees have
    the potential to outlive the people who plant them, the impact of
    this decision is one that can influence a lifetime. Match the tree to
    the site, and both lives will benefit.     

    One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is “Which kind of
    tree do you think I should plant?” Before this question can be answered, a
    number of factors need to be considered. Think about the following
    questions:
    • Why is the tree being planted? Do you want the tree to provide shade,
    fruit, or seasonal color, or act as a windbreak or screen? Maybe more than
    one reason?
    • What is the size and location of the planting site? Does the space lend
    itself to a large, medium, or small tree? Are there overhead or belowground
    wires or utilities in the vicinity? Do you need to consider clearance for
    sidewalks, patios, or driveways? Are there other trees in the area? Are
    there barriers to future root growth, such as building foundations?
    • Which type of soil conditions exist? Is the soil deep, fertile, and well
    drained, or is it shallow, compacted, and infertile?
    • Which type of maintenance are you willing to provide? Do you have time
    to water, fertilize, and prune the newly planted tree until it is established,
    or will you be relying on our tree service for assistance?
    Asking and answering these and other questions before selecting a tree
    will help you choose the “right tree for the right place.”

    TREE FUNCTION
    Trees make our surroundings more pleasant. Properly placed and cared for,
    trees increase the value of our real estate. A large shade tree provides
    relief from summer’s heat and, when properly placed, can reduce summer
    cooling costs. An ornamental tree provides beautiful flowers, leaves, bark,
    or fruit. Evergreens with dense, persistent leaves can be used to provide a
    windbreak or a screen for privacy. A tree that drops its leaves in the fall
    allows the sun to warm a house in the winter. A tree or shrub that produces
    fruit can provide food for the owner and/or attract birds and wildlife into your
    home landscape. Street trees decrease the glare from pavement, reduce
    runoff, filter out pollutants, and add oxygen to the air we breath. Street
    trees also improve the overall appearance and quality of life in a city or
    neighborhood.
    FORM AND SIZE

    A basic principle of modern architecture is “form follows function.” This is a
    good rule to remember when selecting a tree. Selecting the right form
    (shape) to complement the desired function (what you want the tree to do)
    can significantly reduce maintenance costs and increase the tree’s value in
    the landscape. When making a selection about form, also consider mature
    tree size. Trees grow in a variety of sizes and shapes, as shown below.
    They can vary in height from several inches to several hundred feet. Select
    a form and size that will fit the planting space provided.

    Depending on your site restrictions, you can choose from among hundreds
    of combinations of form and size. You may choose a small-spreading tree
    in a location with overhead utility lines. You may select a narrow, columnar
    form to provide a screen between two buildings. You may choose large,
    vase-shaped trees to create an arbor over a driveway or city street. You
    may even determine that the site just does not have enough space for a
    tree of any kind.
    SITE CONDITIONS

    Selecting a tree that will thrive in a given set of site conditions is the key
    to long-term tree survival. The following is a list of the major site conditions
    to consider before selecting a tree for planting:
    • soil conditions
    • exposure (sun and wind)
    • human activity
    • drainage
    • space constraints
    • hardiness zone
    SOIL CONDITIONS
    The amount and quality of soil present in your yard can limit planting
    success. In urban sites, the topsoil often has been disturbed and
    frequently is shallow, compacted, and subject to drought. Under these
    conditions, trees are continuously under stress. For species that are not
    able to handle these types of conditions, proper maintenance designed to
    reduce stress is necessary to ensure adequate growth and survival. Tree
    Works will, for a minor charge, take soil samples from your yard to test for
    fertility, salinity, and pH (alkalinity or acidity). The tests will be returned
    with recommendations on ways to improve poor soil conditions with
    fertilizers or soil amendments (sand, compost, or manure) and will also
    help determine the recommend tree species that will do well in the soils
    found on your site.

    EXPOSURE
    The amount of sunlight available will affect tree and shrub species selection
    for a particular location. Most woody plants require full sunlight for proper
    growth and flower bloom. Some do well in light shade, but few tree species
    perform well in dense shade. Exposure to wind is also a consideration.
    Wind can dry out soils, causing drought conditions and damage to
    branches and leaves during storms, and can actually uproot newly planted
    trees that have not had an opportunity to establish root systems. Special
    maintenance, such as staking or more frequent watering, may be needed
    to establish young trees on windy sites.
    HUMAN ACTIVITY
    This aspect of tree selection is often overlooked. The reality of the situation
    is that the top five causes of tree death are the result of things people do:
    soil compaction, underwatering, overwatering, vandalism, and the number
    one cause - planting the wrong tree - account for more tree deaths than all
    insect and disease-related tree deaths combined.
    DRAINAGE
    Tree roots require oxygen to develop and thrive. Poor drainage can remove
    the oxygen available to the roots from the soil and kill the tree. Before
    planting, dig some test holes 12 inches wide by 12 inches deep in the
    areas you are considering planting trees. Fill the holes with water and time
    how long it takes for the water to drain away. If it takes more than 6 hours,
    you may have a drainage problem. If so, contact us for recommendations
    on how to correct the problem, or choose a different site.
    SPACE CONSTRAINTS
    Many different factors can limit the planting space available to the tree:
    overhead or underground utilities, pavement, buildings, other trees, visibility.
    The list goes on and on. Make sure there is adequate room for the tree you
    select to grow to maturity, both above and below ground.
    HARDINESS
    Hardiness is the plant’s ability to survive in the extreme temperatures of the
    particular geographic region in which you are planting the tree. Plants can
    be cold hardy, heat tolerant, or both. Most plant reference books provide a
    map of hardiness zone ranges. Before you make your final decision, make
    sure the plant you have selected is “hardy” enough for our region.
    Pest Problems
    Insect and disease organisms affect almost every tree and shrub species.
    Every plant has its particular pest problems, and the severity varies
    geographically. These pests may or may not be life threatening to the plant.
    You should select plants resistant to pest problems for our area. Tree
    Works can advise you on information relevant to problem species for our
    region.
    Species Selection
    Personal preferences play a major role in the selection process. Now that
    your homework is done, you are ready to select a species for the planting
    site you have chosen. Make sure you use the information you have
    gathered about your site conditions, and balance it with the aesthetic
    decisions you make related to your personal preferences.
    The species must be suitable for our geographic region (hardy), tolerant to
    the moisture and drainage conditions of your soil, be resistant to pests
    common to our area, and have the right form and size for the site and
    function you have envisioned.
    Remember, the beautiful picture of a tree you looked at in a magazine or
    book was taken of a specimen that is growing vigorously because it was
    planted in the right place. If your site conditions tell you the species you
    selected will not do well under those conditions, do not be disappointed
    when the tree does not perform in the same way.
    If you are having difficulty answering any of these questions on your own,
    contact us for assistance. We will help you to plant the “right tree in the
    right place.” It is better to get a us involved early and help you make the
    right decision than to call later to ask if you made the wrong decision.