Find
Your Perfect Tree
Help ring in spring by planting
a tree! Not only will you add beauty and value to your
home, but you will help the environment.
Spring is the ideal time to plant a
tree on your property, and a great way to celebrate
Earth Day, which occurs in April. Trees also help you
by increasing your property value and adding aesthetic
value to your home. If you’re thinking of putting
your house on the market, this could be a great way
to “spruce” things up!
Before you run outside and start digging,
consider these tips from a recent USA Weekend article
to finding the right tree for your property.
1. What are the characteristics of the
spot in which you want to plant the tree? There are
many things to consider, such as sun exposure, soil
type, amount of wind, general climate and drainage.
Make a list of these aspects, and select a tree that
matches them.
2. Of course it’s important to
choose a tree that looks good, but you also have to
consider other issues. There are many shapes to choose
from: round, upright, spreading and so on. Also, what
does the tree do throughout the year? Consider the color
of its leaves and what it produces as seasons come and
go (i.e., flowers, cones, nuts, fruit). You should also
become familiar with the texture of the bark and what
it will look like at maturity. You don’t want
to end up with a tree that overwhelms your yard or causes
problems with the neighbors, such as blocking their
view. For instance, if you select an aspen tree, understand
that aspens live in colonies and spread by means of
“root suckers.” So, you may end up with
18 trees instead of one!
3. Maintenance is another important
consideration. Ask questions about how quickly the tree
will grow and how much pruning it will need. Also, does
it need more water than is provided by nature? Is it
susceptible to volatile weather, such as snow, wind,
drought or ice? You will also need to consider whether
it is shallow or deep-rooted. If you live in a climate
with lots of wind, storms or snow, you probably don’t
want a tree that topples over easily. You should also
ask about what diseases for which the tree is at risk
and consider what must be done to prevent them (such
as spraying for pine beetles). Finally, does the tree
drop nuts, cones, leaves or fruit? If it does, you may
have to spend time each year raking or picking them
up from your yard.
To learn more about trees, visit
arborday.org or pick up Native Trees for North American
Landscapes by Guy Sternberg and Jim Wilson (Timber Press,
2004). You can also visit a local nursery and discuss
your needs with the staff.
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