Trees are an excellent addition to almost any landscape. They provide shade, beauty, windbreak, privacy, cleaner air, less noise, less glare and can even increase your property value. However, the key to these benefits is selecting the right tree and planting it in the right place.
By having the right tree in the right place, homeowners not only help ensure a lifetime of satisfaction, but also keep maintenance costs low. There are several things to keep in mind when considering trees for the landscape. First, the tree’s purpose will impact the sustainability of different tree species, whether used for shade, aesthetic beauty, wind protection, screen or something else.
Second, the size and location of the tree, including space for roots and branches, will affect which species to plant. And third, the shape of the tree varies among species, including round, oval, columnar, V-shaped or pyramidal shapes. Think about how the tree will work in the space available.
If you have utility lines running through your property, large trees aren’t a good choice. As the trees grow, they will interfere with the utility lines and cause problems. Short trees don’t clash with overhead utility lines.
Trees planted in the wrong place can have a negative effect on the landscape and can sometimes lead to costly repairs. Large evergreens planted close to the house on the south side can block warming winter sunlight. The north side of a landscape void of trees can leave it vulnerable to icy winter winds.
The right kind of trees planted in the right places can have a positive effect on your utility bills. Large deciduous trees on the southeast, southwest and west side of your home provide cooling shade during Oklahoma’s notoriously hot summers, but don’t obstruct the warming sun in the winter. Planting a row of evergreens on the north side of your property will help block cold winter winds. They also can provide a screen for privacy.
Something else to take into consideration is the condition of the site. Things to keep in mind include soil conditions, exposure to sun and wind, drainage, space constraints, hardiness zone, human activities and insect/disease susceptibility.
When shopping for trees, a high-quality tree will have strong form with firmly attached branches; a trunk free of wounds or other damage; and a quality root system to support healthy growth.
A lower quality tree will feature a weak form in which multiple stems originate from the same point and/or branches are rubbing and crossing each other; a trunk with wounds, which often is associated with poor handling or incorrect pruning; and a limited, crushed or circling root system in an undersized root ball or container.
Whether you’re landscaping a new home, replacing trees or adding to an existing landscape, consider all of the various factors when making your tree selection. Many trees have the potential to outlive those who plant them, so these selections can have a lifetime impact.
David Hillock is a consumer horticulturalist with Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension.
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