How to Choose a Tree that is Just the Right Size

Thinking of adding a tree to your landscape? There are many advantages to having a tree near your home: enjoying increased shade, paying lower energy bills, creating a sound barrier, providing a natural habitat for local wildlife, and enjoying the changing colors of the fall leaves. However, many homeowners get caught up in the appearance of a tree without realizing how big the tree will grow. This common mistake means that these homeowners end up having to remove a tree that is not the right size, which can be a costly expense. Here are a few tips to make sure you choose a tree that is perfect from the beginning.

Choose the Right Tree Type

Weeping willows are elegant, graceful trees. However, their complex root system will do devastating damage to your subgrade pipes and home foundation. When choosing your tree type, it’s important to keep in mind how the tree will grow and what effect it will have on its surrounding environment. It’s also important to keep in mind what care the tree needs to survive. If you choose a tree type that is not native to our planting zone, then it may be difficult to keep it alive when temperatures plummet or soar. The right tree type will be easy to care for and will have a positive effect on the surrounding environment.

Pay Attention to Shape and Form

Did you know that there are several different varieties of crepe myrtle that range widely in size? If you choose a larger variety, you may soon have a huge crepe myrtle bush overshadowing the rest of your landscaping. It’s important to keep in mind how big your tree will grow and how the size and shape will fit into your landscape when it’s full grown. If you have a yard where your kids like to play, then it’s probably not a good idea to plant a Sweet Gum tree that drops spiny fruits that are painful when stepped on with bare feet. Think about how your new tree will look and function in your landscape when it is fully acclimated and grown.

Pick the Correct Placement

Finally, you want to make sure you are planting your new tree in the right spot. Too much sun or too much shade can be detrimental to a sensitive tree’s health. You also want to avoid planting a small sapling close to your home, as it can become a problem for your home’s foundation as the tree grows to full size. Your landscaper can help you to find the perfect spot to plant your new tree. We can also test the soil conditions to make sure that your soil offers the right nutrients to support your new tree.

Professional Landscape Design for Your Home

Rhine Landscaping has the tools to make your yard beautiful throughout the year, so trust us with all of your landscaping and poolscaping needs. We have the expertise and knowledge to complete any and all of the landscaping projects on your list. For more information about our services, visit us online or give us a call at (410) 442-2445. For more tips on how to keep your yard and pool looking great year round, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Houzz.