TREES
Benefits of Trees
Almost everyone knows that trees and other living plants are valuable. They beautify our parks, homes, and roadways, purify our air, act as sound barriers, manufacture precious oxygen, and help us save energy through their cooling shade in summer and their wind reduction in winter. We like trees around us, because they make life more pleasant. With proper selection and maintenance, trees can enhance one’s property, provide privacy, emphasize views, or screen out objectionable views. Trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water, and providing habitat for wildlife.
Tree Selection
Tree selection is one of the most important investment decisions a home owner makes when landscaping a new home or replacing a tree lost to damage or disease. The question most frequently asked of tree care professionals is: “Which kind of tree do you think I should plant?” Before this question can be answered, a number of factors need to be considered. Think about the following questions:
- Why is the tree being planted?
- What is the size and location of the planting site?
- Which type of soil conditions exist?
- Which type of maintenance are you willing to provide?
Asking and answering these and other questions before selecting a tree will help you choose the right tree for the right place.
Site Conditions
Selecting a tree that will thrive in a given set of site conditions is the key to long-term tree survival. The following is a list of the major site conditions to consider before selecting a tree for planting:
- soil conditions
- exposure (sun and wind)
- human activity
- drainage
- space constraints
- hardiness zone
Pruning
The National Arbor Day Foundation offers five suggestions for pruning a tree that will promote the growth of strong branches.
- Good branch angles and size: Narrow angles signal a point of future weakness. The reason is that as the two branches grow, neither has sufficient space to add the wood needed for strength. To prevent this, simply remove one of the two branches. For strength, the ideal branching angle approximates ten or two o’clock. Lateral branches should be no more than one-half to three-quarters the diameter of the trunk.
- Remove rubbing branches: Branches that rub against each other produce wounds and decay. Remove one of the offending branches.
- Maintain a stable center of gravity: Young trees deformed by wind may be corrected by pruning. Move the tree’s center of gravity to a point more central over the trunk by cutting back the leader and laterals on the downwind side (or direction of lean) to more upright branches.
- Temporary branches: Branches below the lowest permanent branch can protect young bark from injury from the sun and add taper and strength to the trunk. The limbs may be left for three to four years after planting, then remove over the next two to three years, beginning with the larger temporaries.
- Watersprouts and suckers: These “parasite” sprouts can occur at the base or inside the crown. They are rapidly growing, weakly attached, and upright. They lead to poor, shrubby form if allowed to grow. It is best to remove them as soon as possible.
For more information about trees, visit the following websites:
► http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/tree_benefits.aspx [External Link]
► http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/tree_values.aspx [External Link]
► http://www.arborday.org/trees/pruning/ [External Link]
Sources: http://www.treesaregood.com/ [External Link]
and http://www.arborday.org/trees/index.cfm [External Link]
Find a Park