How to Select a Tree for Your Yard

With spring fast approaching, you may be considering enhancing your garden or yard with a new tree. A well maintained tree can greatly increase the beauty of a space, and provide shade and wind protection. An older tree that is close to a house can reduce cooling costs significantly. If this is the first tree that you are planting on your property or the twentieth, keep the following tips in mind before a trip to the nursery.

The most important thing to consider is the climate. You may have fond memories of maple trees from your childhood, but that does not mean they will ever thrive in your current location. With modern techniques, many exotics can live in climates they are unsuitable for, but it is best to choose a tree that is native to the area you live. It is the only way to ensure that your tree will have natural frost or heat protections.

A tree's growth rate is also an important consideration. Because of the nature of a tree, it will take a longer time to reach its potential. Even a tree that is already three or four years old when purchasing may take an additional ten before providing any real shade or wind protection for the rest of your yard. Conversely, some trees grow very quickly. If your main motivation for planting a tree is to perform some type of service to your garden or house, consider a fast growing variety. Planting a tree by your house to block harsh sun will not be helpful in the short term if it takes years to mature.

Also consider what you can offer your tree in terms of care and elements. Do not plant a tree that requires a large amount of sunlight in the shade, and do not plant a tree that needs a lot of moisture unless you are prepared to water it consistently. In part, some of these pitfalls will be avoided if you plant trees that are native to the climate, but you must provide the correct amount of light, water, and nutrients for the tree to reach its full potential.