Tree Basic

Question:

We just built a new house, and there is not a tree on the property. One of our first tasks will be to plant shade and ornamental trees, but we have no idea how tall or wide most of them will get. Where do we start?

Answer:

Landscaping a new home can be a daunting task, and a comprehensive landscape plan takes a lot of time, effort, and sometimes professional help.

I suggest that you start with the basics -- which is first to plant trees for shade, shelter from prevailing winds, and for natural beauty. After determining where shade is needed at different seasons of the year, and which direction hot summer wind and cold winter winds come from, use the accompanying illustration to help select trees and determine their eventual heights and widths. The taller the mature height of a tree, the further it must be planted from the other trees, structures, drives and walks.

There are, of course, other factors to consider in tree selection, such as cold hardiness for your location, soil types, and moisture conditions. Consult our online tree guide. For each species shown, you'll find a listing of characteristics, including flowers, fruits, fall coloration, and arborday.org hardiness zones.

Other good reference books for tree selection are Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, by Michael Dirr, and A Guide to Site Planning and Landscape Construction, by Harvey M. Rubenstein