There are just so many trees out there to choose from, how on earth do you narrow down your choices? Tree selection has become more complicated these days as more and more kinds of trees are grown and sold at your local nursery.
You want to choose the right tree, and you know that it is important, but how do you go about it? Well, don’t worry, because we’ve got your back. Here at Darryl’s Tree Care we’ve seen many trees located in the wrong place for their welfare, and that of the structures around them.
In this article, we will cover 3 simple criteria that you can use to assess tree selection possibilities for your garden. We hope that they will guide you through the process of making a decision so that you can choose the right tree for your situation.
Size
The first thing that you really need to get right when you go to choose a tree for your backyard is size. You need to choose the right tree for the size of your yard. That is, don’t be tempted to squeeze a huge tree into a small space, as that will not end well.
Have you ever seen a home that is getting almost eaten alive by a nearby tree? It can really detract from the look of your house. Tree choice is something that requires a lot of thought, otherwise, you may regret your decisions years down the track when it’s too late to do anything except get your tree trimmed constantly.
Another warning when it comes to tree selection concerns power lines. You need to ensure there is plenty of space for your new tree to grow upwards, and that there are no buildings or other obstructions in the way, including existing trees.
The general rule is to allow for 1.5 times the expected width of the grown tree around the planting site. The information tag on your tree should tell you what the end width of the tree will be.
Function
In order to choose the right tree, you need to take function into the equation of tree selection. What do you want your tree to do?
To choose the right tree, you need to consider your situation. Do you want shade? Exactly how much? This will determine whether you should opt for a medium or large tree, as will your available room in the backyard.
Do you want to choose a tree that will give you more privacy? Then you may want to decide on an evergreen tree, as then your privacy shield won’t drop its leaves to become see-through every Autumn.
Maybe your tree selection is governed by the need for a tree that your future kids can climb? Or perhaps you just want some greenery to frame your outdoor entertaining area? Other uses for trees may involve harvesting fruit or nuts to offset the family grocery bills.
You may be guided to a certain tree selection based on a love of a particular tree for its flowers or leaf colour, or maybe you intend on picking something that brings local insects or birds to the garden.
There are endless potential purposes for trees, but the most important thing is that you consider what function your new tree will have in your backyard. That way you can ensure you choose the right tree for your desired effect.
Conditions
In order to choose the right tree for your backyard, you need to ensure that the conditions in your garden match the conditions that your potential tree thrives in.
Soils range from sandy to clay to everything in between. Some areas get more rain than others, and some plants are prone to being singed by the summer sun if they are put in the wrong spot.
Does your new sapling need full sun or partial shade? Does it need well-drained soil? It’s a good idea to check out what conditions your tree prefers before planting in the ground and hoping for the best.
There are things you can do to help beyond tree selection, such as using an irrigation system if your tree needs more frequent watering, or using fertiliser or mulch to aid the health of the soil.
But really, if you want to choose the right tree for your yard, you really should go to the effort of doing a bit of research to ensure your garden conditions are compatible with the climate preferences of your tree.
Need help with your trees?
Here at Darryl’s Tree Care, we’ve been helping people get control of their trees for years. If you need tree stump removal, tree trimming, tree selection help, or even possum control or a hazardous tree assessment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
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