How to Pick the Right Tree for Your Landscape

What to Do

Even though we are still in winter in most areas it’s time to begin looking at trees if you are planning on planting any this year. You want to make a decision early in the spring so you need to start doing your research now because trees are a very big part of your landscape, and you don’t want to fall for any particular species as it might not be the right tree for your chosen location.

Size It Up

As we all know from experience certain baby trees will grow into gigantic trees and this can be a problem if it is too close to a house or under utility lines. You have to consider the mature height on the tree and the canopy spread. Big beautiful trees we all love such as oaks and maples have really wide canopies, which are fantastic for shade in the summer, but just be sure you have room for it. You don’t want it up against the house or with branches extending too much over into the neighbors property. Of course we all know that the roots will grow beyond the canopy so be sure to allow for that space as well.

What Else?

Naturally you need to consider the soil, sun and moisture requirements too, along with whether you want a deciduous or coniferous type, and how fast it will grow. Trees that grow quickly are nice for filling in a space in the landscape but they typically have a shorter life span and soft wood which can be a problem. Trees like this are a Silver Maple or a Bradford Pear, both beautiful trees but not good choices generally.

Which One?Hardwood varieties grow slower and have a longer life span and native trees are really a good choice. One of the best is the Princeton elm, a huge majestic tree with a resistance to the diseases that have felled the American elms. These trees are vase shaped with beautiful yellow fall color. In addition they are quite tough making them a good choice where there are pollutants and other stressors. There are quite a few planted along the road in front of the White House in Washington D. C. A good selection amongst more medium sized trees would be the black gum, also known as the black tupelo. It has an oval shape and beautiful fall foliage with multiple shades appearing on the same branch. This one is also a favorite of the birds providing them bluish black fruit to feed on.

Sit Back and Enjoy

Making the right decision with all of the choices which are available can be tough but with enough research you can find the best tree for your landscape. You just need to know your property very well as far as sun or shade and the amount of moisture in the soil; these are going to be very important in the long run. Once you find “your” tree you will be glad you took the time to search for the ideal specimen because you will be the one enjoying the beauty it will provide.

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