Trees—Every Yard Should Have At Least One

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They can block the wind, help clean the air, provide fruit and nuts, and create a hospitable habitat for wildlife. And, trees make a great hideaway where children can play. Once you decide to add a tree to your backyard, do you know how to select the right tree, one that will live a long time?

When looking for that perfect tree for your yard, pick one with good form.

Most trees should have one main leader (trunk) and a balanced number of side branches.

They should look healthy and free from insect damage, and show evidence of growth.

Be sure to get your tree from a reputable nursery that has inspected and certified stock.

Select a tree grown in your area because trees raised under local growing conditions are more likely to thrive in your yard.

Container grown trees spend at least part of their life in a pot. These trees transplant well from early spring into fall. Be sure the tree is not simply potted bare rootstock. The root mass will come out of the pot intact if it is a container-grown tree. There should be plenty of feeder roots--those thin, hair-like roots--but not so many roots that the tree has become pot-bound. Also, check the roots for damage. Rodent damage is easy to spot—you will see evidence of chewing and, possibly, tunnels or holes. Avoid any tree with a rotten odor coming from the root area—it probably is suffering from disease.

Balled and burlapped trees usually transplant well. The tree’s root system is contained within the ball of soil; the soil remains firm around the root system to minimize transplant shock. You do not want a tree that has been allowed to dry out. Make sure your tree’s root ball is kept moist prior to planting.

Bare root trees are usually extremely small plants. Most of these trees are best planted in winter if the ground is not frozen or in early spring before the leaves come out. The roots are exposed, so the trees must be stored in a cool, humid place, and the roots kept covered with a moist material until planting time.

Knowing what to look for when tree shopping will help you select the right tree. A healthy tree will last a long time and provide many backyard benefits.

What Kind of Tree Do I Want?

In school, children learn that planting a tree can help planet Earth. Planting a tree also can help the environment in your own backyard or community. Trees provide a multitude of benefits. They can reduce your heating and cooling costs, help clean the air, add beauty and color, provide shelter from the wind and sun, and be home to many different types of wildlife.

Once you decide to plant a tree, do you know what kind of tree you want? Here are some tips to help you decide.

One of the first steps is to decide what you want the tree to do for you. Do you want to attract wildlife? Are you concerned about shade or a windbreak for your home? Do you want to enjoy tree-ripened fruit? Are you willing to clean up after the fallen fruit or do you prefer a less messy tree?

Consider how the tree you purchase will fit into your overall landscape. Then, look closely at the area where you will put the tree. There may be other elements in your yard to consider. Perhaps you have a grand old sycamore tree that a shade loving redbud could grow near. Do you have room for a tree, such as the hackberry, that grows to 100 feet tall?

Plant only low-growing trees under power lines to prevent future hazards and bad pruning jobs. If the site is near a street or sidewalk where salt is put in the winter to melt ice and snow, plant a tree that can tolerate salt.

Look at the soil conditions. If you have a wet area, trees that do not mind getting their roots wet, such as willows, are a good choice.

Look at the trees in your neighborhood, too. Planting too many of the same tree species may lead to trouble. Many people still remember the devastation seen when Dutch elm disease struck in many American towns. So many of the statuesque trees lined the boulevards that when the diseased trees were cut down in an attempt to save others, trees became scarce. Diversity in a community will promote good tree health and be more visually pleasing.

Consider planting tree species that are native to your area. They generally will live longer and require less care than introduced tree species.

Check with the city forester or parks department to find out if there are tree ordinances in your community. Some tree species are considered nuisances. Some may require a permit prior to planting. And, there may be regulations regarding the species of trees that can be planted in community areas such as parking lots.

The most important thing is--do your part to help planet Earth in your corner of the world. Plant a tree in your backyard.

How To Plant a Tree

Selecting the right tree for the right place is a good first step in any landscape design, but proper planting also is important for getting your tree off to a good start. Trees are like all living creatures. They require more attention in the beginning to promote a long, healthy life.

Carefully choose the planting site. Trees are difficult to move once they are established. Check with local authorities for regulations on placement of trees. Some communities have ordinances restricting placement of trees within a specified distance of a street, sidewalk, streetlight, or other utilities. Before digging, make sure that all underground utilities are clearly marked. You wouldn’t want to cut off the electric power to your community or risk injury.

Carefully follow the planting instructions that come with your tree. If specific instructions are not available, follow these tips:

Dig a hole about twice the size of the tree’s root ball, or about one foot wider than the root system. The hole should be slightly shallower than the root ball. If the soil is especially heavy or wet, consider planting the tree slightly higher.

Remove all materials from the root mass. This includes wires, string, burlap, and biodegradable containers. Neglecting this will hinder proper root growth. Gently place the tree in the center of the hole and position it to grow straight. If the tree has a prettier side, place it in the direction most frequently viewed. If planting a bare root tree, carefully spread the roots. Crumble the soil removed from the hole and cover the roots with it. As you add soil to fill in around the tree, lightly tamp the soil to collapse air pockets, or add water to help settle the soil. Air pockets around the roots can be devastating to a newly planted tree.

Add about four inches of mulch--wood chips, shredded bark, or grass clippings--around the base of the tree, extending out to the tips of the outermost branches. A 3-foot diameter circle of mulch is common. Mulching will retain moisture, reduce weeds, maintain a more even soil temperature, and eliminate mowing next to the delicate bark. Be sure to pull the mulch away from the tree trunk because decomposing mulch can cause rot problems.

Finally, give the tree a thorough watering. If the root ball is extremely dry, allow water to trickle into the soil by placing the hose at the trunk of the tree.

Young trees need protection against rodents, frost cracks, sunscald, lawnmowers, and weed whackers. Plastic guards are an inexpensive and easy control method. Light colored tree wraps can be used to protect the trunk from sunscald. Usually, staking trees is not necessary unless you live in an area with high winds.

A properly planted and maintained tree will grow much faster and live much longer than one that is incorrectly planted. Trees can be planted almost anytime of the year as long as the soil is not frozen. However, early fall is the optimum time to plant trees. For the first year or two, especially after a week or so of extremely hot or dry weather, watch your tree closely for signs of moisture stress. If you see leaf wilting or hard, caked soil, water the tree well and slowly enough so the water soaks in rather than runs off.

Take the time to give your tree a good start on life. You and the next generation will enjoy the benefits of your backyard tree for years to come.

For more information on trees and other Backyard Conservation practices, visit the Natural Resources Conservation Service online at www.nrcs.usda.gov.

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