How to Choose the Best Tree for Your Yard

Tree planting is a win-win situation: it increases the value of your home, provides shade (and possibly fruit), and purifies the air by absorbing old CO2 and emitting fresh, clean oxygen. Many tree species live for hundreds of years, so every time you plant a tree, you’re making history by providing a home for this green giant to grow for decades to come! But before you hurry to the greenhouse to select a new sapling, there are a few things you should consider before planting that newborn tree.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN PLANTING NEW TREES

Different trees have different requirements. After all, they are a quite vast and diversified group of plants. When picking which tree to go with, you should have a decent notion of what you’re up against in terms of location. Because your yard has its own terrain, soil characteristics, and sunlight levels, examining the region first will allow you to make an informed decision. If you want to plant a tree on top of a hill, for example, you won’t want to choose a tree that needs highly moist clay soil because the water will drain down the hill too quickly.

BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION, HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK:

WHAT IS MY SOIL’S CURRENT PH?

Soil is typically more acidic, but it can also be overly acidic, too alkaline, or too balanced. If you have your heart set on a particular tree but your soil conditions aren’t quite ideal, consider enriching the soil before planting to ensure your new tree will be happy.

IS MY YARD HEAVILY SHADED, IN DIRECT SUN, OR IN DAPPLED SUN?

If you want your tree to grow properly, you must ensure that it receives the necessary quantity of sunlight. A tree that requires a lot of sunlight would struggle under a canopy of foliage from other trees, so choose wisely.

IS MY SOIL SANDY AND FAST-DRAINING, OR MOIST AND CLAY-HEAVY?

Some trees thrive in moist soil, while others succumb to root rot if left in standing water.

You can begin your tree buying once you have a better understanding of the conditions in your yard. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite options for all types of growing circumstances.

TREES FOR SHADE LINDEN: American linden, particularly Redmond linden, thrive in shady environments. In the middle of summer, its stunning pyramidal structure is complemented by heart-shaped leaves and beautiful yellow highly perfumed flowers.

Serviceberry (Saskatoon berry):There are various cultivars of this berry-producing plant, which can be either a shrub or a tree. With less sunshine, the berries may taste a little tarter, but they’re still excellent.

TREE OPTIONS FOR SMALL SPACES IN THE BACKYARD

Junipers that stand upright: This columnar evergreen is extremely hardy. It may be readily molded and comes in both blue and green leaves. Tall junipers are frequently pruned into spirals or poodles. It can be utilized as a privacy hedge if not used as an accent in the yard.

Juliet Cherry: Beautiful to look at and delicious to eat! The tasty sour cherries produced by this little fruit tree are excellent, and the spring blossoms are a pleasure to behold.

Weeping White Spruce: Weeping White Spruce: This stunning decorative evergreen has a slim form and is unlikely to grow taller than 20 feet or wider than 5 feet, making it ideal for compact yards.

So, if you’ve had your eye on a particular tree for a while, just do a little study into what it requires to grow. As long as your yard can provide your new tree with adequate nutrients, sunlight, and moisture, it should last a lifetime.

For more info please visit our blog.