| Planting trees is one of the easiest yet effective | | | | Another issue to keep in mind is the drainage. |
| means of giving your garden or your yard a | | | | Young trees do best when planted in good-quality, |
| face-lift. Trees can provide shade during | | | | well-drained loamy soil. Poorly-drained planting sites |
| summertime and wind protection in winter. Aside | | | | will give you problems, as many species of trees |
| from these, they can also add to the privacy of | | | | including white firs, yellowwoods, beeches, red |
| your home while boosting real estate values. | | | | oaks and yews will not tolerate "wet feet". Avoid |
| There are plenty of choices if you're planning to | | | | areas where stagnant water pools around roots, |
| plant a tree. These depend on the size, shape, | | | | since this can lead to "root rot" caused by lack of |
| growth habits and care needed, so choose | | | | oxygen. To test the drainage of a planting area, |
| carefully, because the tree you pick will have | | | | dig a hole and fill it with water. If the water hasn't |
| long-lasting consequences. | | | | drained away in a couple of hours, drainage may |
| When selecting a tree, the first step is to decide | | | | be an issue. In areas where drainage is a particular |
| what kind of tree is suitable for your property | | | | problem, planting in raised beds of 12 to 18 inches |
| and your needs. Climate and soil are important | | | | of well-drained quality topsoil may be a solution. |
| factors to consider. A date palm might have a | | | | Soil quality in new subdivisions often presents |
| tough time surviving a Minneapolis winter. And a | | | | tree-planting problems. The PH level of the soil, |
| water-hungry willow would starve if you're living in | | | | and therefore its fertility, is often affected by |
| a perennially dry climate. The tree species you are | | | | construction materials and the resulting rubble. |
| planning to get should be able to flourish in your | | | | Chemical and petroleum spills, which often occur |
| local climate and soil conditions (designated | | | | during building construction, pose additional |
| hardiness zone). | | | | concerns. If the soil contamination is quite severe, |
| Matching tree to site is a key part of the tree | | | | scraping away the contaminated soil and replacing |
| selection process. What is the size of the site on | | | | it with good quality topsoil may be the only |
| which your new tree or trees will be situated? Will | | | | answer. |
| that spindly sapling you just bought still be able to | | | | One of the critical factors to consider, of course, |
| fit after 20 or 30 years? Conversely, a willow or | | | | is your personal taste. The way that your |
| an oak tree, both of which grow very large when | | | | property's appearance and ambience might be |
| mature, may be not the best tree to plant in a | | | | improved by the various kinds of trees should be |
| small front lawn in the city. The proximity of the | | | | taken into account. Make a list of the kinds of |
| tree to the surrounding houses, buildings, | | | | trees you admire, and think about how they |
| sidewalks, driveways, utility lines, and septic | | | | would look in your yard or garden. Consider how |
| systems should also be considered. If a tree is | | | | your selection will fill in to the planting area over |
| not planted in an appropriate area, the | | | | time. You can make some sketches to help you |
| overhanging branches and extensive root growth | | | | decide, or if you don't trust your own artistic |
| may cause damage to nearby adjacent properties | | | | talent, consult available landscape design software, |
| and utility lines, and incur you sizeable expenses in | | | | or a landscape designer. |
| the bargain. | | | | |