Trees planted within your yard are a great benefit to your landscaping and the environment with the shade, oxygen, and wildlife habitat they create. To improve your yard's appearance and value, here are some professional recommendations to help you plan and plant your landscaping trees.
Select a Location
Once you have chosen the type of tree you want to plant in your yard, you will next need to choose the right location to plant your tree. The tree's location needs to be well-thought-out because it will be a permanent feature in your yard that will grow larger over time. So you need to plan for its location-based on future growth and also current existing structures or nearby features.
It is not a good idea to plant your tree next to your home because the roots can grow into your foundation and cause damage to the foundation slab and walls. Keep it at a distance of 15 to 20 feet from your home, unless the tree is a smaller tree at maturity, which you can plant a bit closer. Your home will benefit from the tree's shade in the summer months to help keep your home cooler, especially if you plant the tree on the south to the western side of your home.
By planting the trees in a row through or at the edge of your yard, you can provide a good amount of shade to your yard throughout the day. Space them apart based on their mature growth size, set anywhere from 20 to 35 feet apart.
You need to also look out for power lines in the area and plant your tree away from these, as the tree can grow up into the lines and cause power disruption. If your home has a septic system, don't plant the tree anywhere around or above the septic system so you can prevent damage to the tank and drain lines.
Prepare the Area
After establishing a location in your yard to plant the tree, you will need to prepare the site and dig a hole for the tree to be planted within. Your tree will come in a large pot or its roots will be wrapped in burlap or similar material, which you will need to carefully remove. Dig the hole within the soil at a depth equal to the depth of the tree's root ball and two to three times as wide.
Place the root ball into the hole and lightly compress the soil back around the root ball, leaving the base of the tree's natural trunk flare visible above the soil. Water your tree immediately and daily for the roots to begin to grow and the tree to become established.
For more information on what trees would complement your landscape, contact your local experts.
