In April we celebrated Arbor Day! But it’s our hope that you celebrate majestic trees every day of the year. Planting a tree enhances your yard’s natural splendor and gives back to Mother Earth.
Yet planting requires more than merely digging a hole. You should first identify a good planting site, select the right tree and follow planting instructions for the type of tree you’ve chosen.
When identifying the prospective planting location keep in mind soil conditions, water availability, overhead wires, eventual size of the roots (to avoid upsetting sidewalks or streets) and space available for the canopy (to avoid interfering with traffic or signage). If planting a tree to shade your home
consider the relationship of roots and canopy with the building; not just for the next few years but in decades to come. A tree planted too close can eventually lead to foundation damage or limbs that encroach precariously. Think about how fast the tree grows, how much water it needs, whether it bears flowers, fruit or nuts, and how susceptible it is to certain pests or diseases. Some trees such as Pecans, though beautiful, frequently drop sap, nuts, twigs and even large limbs. This is not an ideal tree hanging over the top of a house. Every month we see property damage resulting from trees that were inappropriately planted many years ago.
Surveying the site for optimal placement and choosing the correct type of tree prior to planting is an ounce of prevention that will avoid pounds of maintenance in the future!