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