Selecting the appropriate for your garden depends on your specific needs, the environmental conditions and size of your site and your own personal taste. Tree have specific sun and soil requirements which can influence its health. The amount of space you have will also inform your tree selection. Some trees, such as the white oak, are huge and will require lots of space while others such as river birch, grow tall and narrow and can fit into smaller gardens.
Improperly placed trees are a common gardening mistake so remember, trees that are 10’ at the nursery can easily reach 20’ in a few years and reach 40’ or more at maturity. A tree planted in the wrong spot and outgrow its space may require transplanting or frequent pruning.
Trees are the ideal way to create shade in the garden. Trees such as the hornless honey locust provide dappled shade, allowing some light to penetrate through the foliage. For creating deeper shade, large trees with dense foliage such as the beech and oak are useful. Planted to shade a house, deciduous trees (those which shed their leave in fall) can help keep your cool in summer and, once the leaves fall, allow the sun to help heat your home in winter. All deciduous trees change color in the fall though some, such as the sugar maple and tupelo, are more vibrant than others.
From an aesthetic stand point, trees can serve as wonderful specimens in the landscape. In an open field, a the stately beech tree can have a dramatic impact. Trees with unique form have year-round interest are suitable as a specimen plant. Trees can also be effective when used to frame views inside and outside the garden.
Flowering trees, such as the cherry and magnolia, can be amazingly colorful in spring. These trees are wonderful as accents and can also provide year-round interest. Dogwoods, for instance, bloom in spring with large pink or white flowers. After the dogwood’s colorful fall foliage falls to the ground its flaking bark adds character to the winter landscape. The birch tree’s beautiful form is a year-round feature but is most noticeable in the winter after it sheds its brilliant yellow leaves.
Other characteristics, such as silhouette, berries and bark, should also be considered when selecting a tree. Berry producing plants are colorful and attract wildlife. Birches and ironwoods, have interesting silhouettes as well as attractive bark provide year-round interest.
Selecting the right tree requires a bit of planning. The pay of is a healthy tree which could last a lifetime.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
