Choosing The Right Tree To Plant

Trees are a great addition and advantage to the landscape but they serve different functions. So, It is not just about planting a new tree but choosing the right tree to plant at the right place, and not the wrong tree at the right place. The best trees thrive when they are planted in the right place, which could be your garden or backyard. There are several kinds of the trees, such as deciduous tree, silk tree, dappled shade, year round shade, and other plants. 

As a home, or business owner who wants the right trees or considering replacing trees in your garden or business space, tree selection and placement are very crucial. It is of great benefit to you, the landscape, and also the tree when you plant the right trees. 

Factors To Consider When Planting Trees

There are a lot of things to put into consideration when selecting trees, some of which include:

• Ground level soil condition 
• Environmental Tolerance.
• Existing conditions of the site 
• Space for Sidewalks or driveways
• Tree function, type, size, form, and shape
• Goals
• Tree quality

Site Condition 

You would need to consider the constraints or limitations that your property may have. These constraints are to avoid damaging things in your building, which may be now or even in years, considering how big the tree will grow. 

Some of the conditions include:

• The available space: this is a very important factor that needs to be thoroughly put into consideration, this will help you when you want to choose the specie of plant, for instance, if you have limited space, you might need to choose a specie of tree that doesn't grow too big or broad, so it would not cost you more money in years to come, when trying to prune or as regards other maintenance. So in the selection process, consider the size of your garden.
• Proximity to underground ground pipes: Some trees have extensively deep roots, or invasive root systems and could damage any structure you have underground. Also, you should avoid planting your trees or having your gardens closer to where you have your pipes, such as sewage, water or gas pipes, and power lines. 
• Neighbors: it is very important to put into consideration your neighbors while you are trying to maximize trees, ensure you do not bring your neighbors discomfort when trying to nature and maintain your garden. Examine how your tree would impact your neighbors, their view leaf litter, shade e t.c. Not everyone wants trees around due to different individual reasons. This is also a very important condition to consider. So you should try to ensure your garden is not too close to your neighbor. 

Another very crucial thing is local ordinances, some certain states, and areas down to communities have some policies about how far tree needs to be from the road. 

Soil Condition 

The survival of your tree depends on well it can thrive in the soil in your garden, every soil isn't suitable for every kind of tree, so you would need to choose a tree that can thrive well in the soil available. For instance, some trees tolerate heavy clay, while others are adapted to growing in light sandy soil. Some certain species requires rich, fertile soil, however, some trees thrive in rocky barren environment while some are specialized in acidic or alkaline soil, and some can tolerate either of the two. So you could consider hiring an arborist to take samples of the soil in your yard for testing. This will help you determine which tree is suitable for your garden or yard and can also suggest soil improvement techniques to you.

Environmental Tolerance

What's the average temperature in your environment, home, or garden? Trees have different growing conditions, so it is crucial to consider the conditions of the specie. Some conditions can be manipulated, while some are more intrinsic. 

In terms of temperature, research the hardiness zone of the specie, i.e extreme annual temperature in your area to determine which tree will survive in winter and summer. Other environmental factors include heat, and rainfall, some need little water, some need a lot of water, and some will suffer without water weekly.

Goals

This answers the question, why do you want a tree, or garden in your yard,  for what purpose?. So you have to consider your goals before choosing a tree. Do you want a tree for shade, flowers, fruit, wildlife habitat,? Different trees perform each of these functions, ensure you choose a tree that matches your goal accurately, so you won't have too much shade than you want. Trees and the whole concept of a garden could be a burden if they do not match your goal.

Tree Size

The proportion of trees to the size of your plot should be thoroughly considered, so you would not have your building fall due to large trees. The general rule is to select trees that will fit in the available spaces of your property without being less than 30 percent of their height from any of the objects. so you can consider the size before choosing.

Small trees are about 10 to 30 feet tall, medium trees are about 30 to 60feet tall and Large trees are greater than 60 feet tall. However, there are also dwarf trees that are less than 10feet. Consider your goal and available plot to use size. Most fruit trees are available as dwarfs and certain ornamental species are commonly grown this way as well, such as Japanese maples. You might consider just having a garden for varieties of fruit, which implies you would have more dwarf trees. 

Tree Roots, Shape or Form

Generally, choosing the Right shaped tree to complement your goal and beautify your garden or yard can significantly reduce maintenance costs and also increase the tree's value in the landscape. Moreover, Mature trees typically provide great environmental and economic returns. 

Tree Quality

A very important condition based on your goal is the quality of the tree. If one of the aims of you planting a tree requires the tree to last a very long period, then you must consider the quality of the tree. A high-quality tree can become a long-lasting asset to your property, while a low-quality tree may develop problems and eventually cost you more while reducing its benefits,  which in the long run might not meet your aim. 

Here are some of the characteristics of a high-quality tree:

• A straight trunk will well-spaced branches.
• Exposed trunk free of wounds or damage.
• A root system where roots grow straight out from the trunk.

While some of the characteristics of a low-quality tree include:

• Weak form in which multiple stems originate from the same point and branches grow into each other.
• A trunk with wounds from handling or incorrect pruning.
• Limited, crushed, or circling roots in an undersized ball or container.



These characteristics reduce the tree's ability to live a healthy and productive life. So you would need to thoroughly check for problems related to form, shape, root, and susceptibility to diseases when choosing a tree to use as a replacement in your garden.

Tree type based on evergreen or deciduous

While constructing your garden, this s also a big step in the selection process. In winter when most plants are dormant, evergreens look lush and fresh. While deciduous trees often come with the added benefits of beautiful fall foliage and a striking branch structure that is only apparent in the winter, though they lose their leaves but let in sunlight at the time of the year when it is most needed. However, only a few evergreen trees are available.

Conclusion

After reading this guide, you should have a better understanding of how to choose the right tree to plant. Remember to consider your soil type, and size of the planting area when making your decision. With so many different types of trees available, choosing the right one doesn't have to be difficult. Just use these tips to help you select the best tree for your needs.

About Fancy Tree Care

Fancy Tree Care is the best tree planting service in the business. We take care of your trees like they're our own. Planting a tree is an important decision that should be made with care. That's why we offer free consultations to help you choose the right tree and the right location for it. Once you've chosen your tree, we'll take care of everything else. We'll plant it, water it, and make sure it gets the nutrients it needs to grow big and strong. You can count on us to take good care of your new addition to your landscape. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!