Here in Indiana people say, “If you’re not happy about the weather, wait a few minutes!” We all know that weather can fluctuate, but it seems to fluctuate daily and sometimes hourly here in Indiana. In fact, not too long ago, we had a small taste of Spring with a couple of days with temperatures in the 50s and even close to 60 degrees. When this happens, many people start to dream of warmer days and try to decide what projects the want to work on when Spring officially arrives. One of the most popular projects for Spring is improving your home’s landscape by adding trees. But how do you make sure you do it the right way?

“Wise planning is essential to ensure the new trees meet your design needs and functional solutions as well.” (Purdue University) There are several tips for home owners when making decisions about their landscapes. First is location, “Proper tree selection and placement enhances your property value, prevents costly and sometimes unsightly maintenance with trimming, and lowers the risk of damage to your home and property.” (Purdue University)

Second is make sure you are aware of what is surrounding the area where you want to add trees. “Required growing space is one of the most commonly overlooked factors when it comes to tree planting. Poor placement can result in roots or branches too close to structures, driveways or sidewalks. You could also run into problems with underground plumbing, or overhead or underground power lines.” (Arbor Day Foundation)

Finally, choosing the right tree is also important. “One of the best ways to narrow down your choices is to determine the purpose of the trees in your landscape design, so you can choose varieties with the right characteristics.” (Today’s Homeowner) There are shade trees, street trees, fruit trees, privacy trees, and ornamental trees. Once you know which type of tree you want, how do you choose a healthy tree? “Purchase plant material from a reputable source and get a professional opinion on the tree species for your application.” (Purdue University)

Hopefully these tips can help you make the appropriate choices when Spring comes around. Unfortunately, we have a few more weeks of Winter to go. Which will give you plenty of time to plan you first project!

Browning Tree Service is a proud member of Indiana Arborist Association and International Society of Arboriculture, serving the West Lafayette and Lafayette, Indiana area!

Resources:

https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/blog/2017/10/02/top-5-list-for-tree-selection-and-planting/

https://arbordayblog.org/treeplanting/tree-planting-how-to-choose-the-right-planting-site/

https://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-select-the-right-tree-for-your-yard/