When your landscaping project is ready for trees, the first step is making sure you select the proper tree.
You must decide what size, and what the use for your tree is.
If you are adding a tree for shade, then you want a fairly fast growing tree that will be the right height when mature.
If you are planting for balance or for aesthetics in your landscape then again the proper size, and shape tree is important.
You must also take into consideration that especially in the southwest many trees have thorns, and you certainly don't want to plant that type of tree near a walkway or a driveway.
You want to make sure that the tree you choose is going to have enough room for the roots and the canopy.
We have all seen the problems of not choosing a tree for the location.
You may want a cottonwood for shade but if you can only plant it ten feet from the house the roots could get into your foundation.
Make sure that there are no power lines above where you want to plant your tree, nor any water, gas or power lines underground.
It is always important to call a dig hotline.
Is there too much sun, or not enough for the type of tree you want to plant? Also ask yourself what activities will happen near this tree.
If you plant a bushier style next to a sidewalk, or driveway that will constantly need to be pruned...
in my opinion you might as well put it in the dumpster to begin with.
Every time you prune your tree you are opening it up to disease, insects, and bacteria.
Another thing to think about is your other landscaping.
If you have a lawn you will probably not want to go with a desert tree.
Likewise if your landscaping is mostly desert or xeriscape plants you will not want to plant a tree that needs a lot of water.
This is more important than you might think.
Also make sure that if you are planting a tree in your lawn that it has plenty of room and that the roots will not be at the surface and make raises in your lawn.
Some trees take nitrogen out of the soil, or produce a toxin in the leaves that will kill your lawn near it.
There are some things that most people don't think about when selecting a tree.
There are a few trees like Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) that are listed in many states noxious weed list.
They are still sold at some unethical nurseries but are not supposed to be.
The reason for this listing is the ease with which these trees spread.
Some trees are grow well and are terrific shade trees in one area of the country and in another area they become a problem.
Some of the more problematic or trees that I would suggest you really think about twice are listed here: American elm Ulmus americana - This tree can have Dutch elm disease , which means that if it contracts the fungal disease it could die.
Siberian elm also called Chinese Elm Ulmus pumila - Has brittle wood can spread through seeds and suckers, and is a short lived tree also susceptible to Dutch elm disease although not as bad and is insect prone.
Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia - This tree has very brittle wood, it is susceptible to an insect called a leaf miner and has cankers, it also spreads by the production of root suckers.
Black walnut Juglans nigra - This is a tree you definitely do not want to plant in your lawn.
Difficult to grow plants under due to a toxin produced in the leaves.
Box elder Acer negundo This is a short lived tree, female tree attracts boxelder bugs Catalpa Catalpa species also messy.
Black cherry Prunus serotina - This is a messy tree and is susceptible to insects.
Silver maple Acer saccharinum - This is a bad tree for wet areas, shallow surface roots, spreads through suckers, susceptible to insects.
Tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima - Spreads through volunteers it has a very disagreeable odor, considered a noxious weed in some states.
You must decide what size, and what the use for your tree is.
If you are adding a tree for shade, then you want a fairly fast growing tree that will be the right height when mature.
If you are planting for balance or for aesthetics in your landscape then again the proper size, and shape tree is important.
You must also take into consideration that especially in the southwest many trees have thorns, and you certainly don't want to plant that type of tree near a walkway or a driveway.
You want to make sure that the tree you choose is going to have enough room for the roots and the canopy.
We have all seen the problems of not choosing a tree for the location.
You may want a cottonwood for shade but if you can only plant it ten feet from the house the roots could get into your foundation.
Make sure that there are no power lines above where you want to plant your tree, nor any water, gas or power lines underground.
It is always important to call a dig hotline.
Is there too much sun, or not enough for the type of tree you want to plant? Also ask yourself what activities will happen near this tree.
If you plant a bushier style next to a sidewalk, or driveway that will constantly need to be pruned...
in my opinion you might as well put it in the dumpster to begin with.
Every time you prune your tree you are opening it up to disease, insects, and bacteria.
Another thing to think about is your other landscaping.
If you have a lawn you will probably not want to go with a desert tree.
Likewise if your landscaping is mostly desert or xeriscape plants you will not want to plant a tree that needs a lot of water.
This is more important than you might think.
Also make sure that if you are planting a tree in your lawn that it has plenty of room and that the roots will not be at the surface and make raises in your lawn.
Some trees take nitrogen out of the soil, or produce a toxin in the leaves that will kill your lawn near it.
There are some things that most people don't think about when selecting a tree.
There are a few trees like Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) that are listed in many states noxious weed list.
They are still sold at some unethical nurseries but are not supposed to be.
The reason for this listing is the ease with which these trees spread.
Some trees are grow well and are terrific shade trees in one area of the country and in another area they become a problem.
Some of the more problematic or trees that I would suggest you really think about twice are listed here: American elm Ulmus americana - This tree can have Dutch elm disease , which means that if it contracts the fungal disease it could die.
Siberian elm also called Chinese Elm Ulmus pumila - Has brittle wood can spread through seeds and suckers, and is a short lived tree also susceptible to Dutch elm disease although not as bad and is insect prone.
Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia - This tree has very brittle wood, it is susceptible to an insect called a leaf miner and has cankers, it also spreads by the production of root suckers.
Black walnut Juglans nigra - This is a tree you definitely do not want to plant in your lawn.
Difficult to grow plants under due to a toxin produced in the leaves.
Box elder Acer negundo This is a short lived tree, female tree attracts boxelder bugs Catalpa Catalpa species also messy.
Black cherry Prunus serotina - This is a messy tree and is susceptible to insects.
Silver maple Acer saccharinum - This is a bad tree for wet areas, shallow surface roots, spreads through suckers, susceptible to insects.
Tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima - Spreads through volunteers it has a very disagreeable odor, considered a noxious weed in some states.
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