Garden Design

Trees are one of nature's greatest gifts, especially for homeowners. Trees can lower air-conditioning costs by shading your home, giving children a place to play and providing aesthetics that can increase your property value. And with a variety of trees available, you can select one to suit your needs. However, to ensure your tree will have a long and healthy life, it's best to decide what kind of tree you want before you buy.

Fall is one of the best times to plant a tree. The mild, wet weather during this season is the least stressful for a new planting. Next, determine what you want from your tree and where it should go on your lawn. To avoid problems, do this before you go to the nursery to buy the tree.  Take a walk around your yard. Would you like a nice shady area on your lawn or patio? Do you want to improve the look of your property with a tree that offers beautiful autumn hues? Would you like to attract more songbirds to your yard? Do you want a tree sturdy enough for a tree house or child's swing?

Many trees can satisfy all of these needs, but be mindful of the tree's height and width at maturity when selecting where to plant it. If you have a small yard or low power lines, you don't want to purchase a tree that will grow to a massive height.  Also, ask yourself how much maintenance you want to do with your tree. If you don't like raking leaves, then an oak tree probably isn't the tree for you.  Some trees bear fruits that can stain or can be downright stinky when crushed. You want to be sure to avoid planting these trees near sidewalks, patios and other surfaces.

Now that you know what you need from a tree, you should purchase the best type you can find. The tree should have lots of vigor - not wilting or containing a lot of dead branches. Also, avoid non-biodegradable materials on the tree's root ball, such as plastic or nylon. These materials don't degrade and could eventually girdle the tree and kill it. Ideally, the root ball of the tree should be in a burlap bag tied with twine.

Once you are home with your new tree, prepare the hole about 6 to 12 inches larger than the root ball. Remember, don't plant the tree too close to your home's foundation and be sure not to remove the tree from the burlap bag.  While digging the hole, don't dig too deep. When you place the tree in the hole, you should be able to see the flare of the tree, where the trunk flares out at ground level.  After backfilling the hole, water the tree with a good slow soaking. On average, your tree should get an inch of water per week, either from rain or from a sprinkler.

Now that you are a tree owner, you want to remember to keep your tree watered, prune any dead branches, mulch around the trunk and keep an eye out for any signs of disease or insect infestation. Following these simple guidelines will help ensure that your tree lives a long and healthy life.

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FALL IS ONE OF THE BEST times to plant a tree. The mild, wet weather during this season is the least stressful for new plants.

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