Read our where to plant trees Blog post. There is a saying that goes “there is a tree for every garden…”
basically meaning no matter the size of your space, the aspect of your garden or the soil it has, there will be a tree that is suitable.
If this saying is true, it means there are far more trees that are not suitable for your garden.
Often as Arborists, the reason we are removing a tree is because it is no longer appropriate for the space it is growing in.
This can be a real shame when you are stood looking at beautiful specimen of a tree that has outgrown its environment.
Overgrown trees can create a nuisance or pose a threat to the local inhabitants.
This blog will discuss ways to avoid this situation by choosing a tree that is suitable for your site.
Accurate assessment of your site prior to plant selection is a key first step.
Not only do you need to look at how your garden or space is now.
You also need to consider any planned alterations you may have coming up.
There is little point planting a large tree in an open lawn if you know that in the next few years you will be building an extension right next to it.
Make notes of the space available for the amount of sun and the amount of wind.
Monitor how hot or cold it gets, how damp or dry it gets, what type of soil you have and if you have any other plants nearby.
Think also about the function that you want the tree to serve.
It may be one, or a combination, of:
- effective screening from neighbours,
- shade for your garden,
- protection from the wind,
- to look nice (foliage, flowers, fruit),
- habitat for wildlife,
- fruit production,
- timber production,
- educational reasons for children,
- a memorial, etc.
If you are buying a tree from a nursery it will likely have a lot of this information on the label.
Other good sources can be the internet or tree identification books.
Scan for trees that stand out or appeal to you and then cross-reference them with your requirements to see if they will work.
I prefer this approach as I think it is important you plant a tree you are drawn to with your heart first and your head second.
Some of the site restrictions on your list will be firm indicators that a tree is or is not suitable, others you may be able to work with.
A big tree will always want to be a big tree (unless you bonsai it or grow in in a pot).
Trees that need free drainage will usually always suffer in wet ground.
However, you can alter some conditions such as using shade cloth as wind protection or installing drainage.
Or improving soiling conditions to better a tree’s chances.
An Arborist or nursery person will be able to advise you on what is or is not possible.
By doing the right analysis and preparation beforehand you can arrive at a tree selection that will require minimal maintenance throughout its life and will hopefully survive to maturity.
However, if all of this sounds boring or like too much work there is another way.
For those who just like to get stuck in and experiment there is nothing stopping you planting whatever you want wherever you want.
You might be lucky, and it might workout OK, but also it might not.
If this is the approach you like to take my advice would be go for it!
But know what you might be letting yourself in for. Such as a higher chance that the planting will fail.
Or a higher chance that the tree will be unhealthy leading to safety issues.
Increasing the chance of nuisance factors such as messy fruit, spikes or the tree rubbing.
Or damaging your buildings from surface roots easily damaging your driveway.
All of these can mean that the tree requires constant pruning or removal which will cost you money.
At the end of the day it comes down to personal choice.
Regarding the amount of time or effort you want to dedicate to researching your tree selection.
Gardening is about being creative, experimenting and having fun.
Enjoy bringing you vision into reality.
For tree work on protected trees, call our arborists.
Make sure to check out all our “How To Provide Tree Maintenance Series” instructional guides.
These arborist guides are aimed for tree owners who are keen to get their hands dirty.
- How to provide tree work for trees blocking your view…
- How to trim a hedge the right way for the best results…
- How to care for your trees in the summer heat…
- How to mulch a tree and take care of your trees…
- Best time of year to prune large trees is now…
- How to prune a tree and how you can manage the condition of your trees…
- How to plant a tree guide with plenty of helpful advice…
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Rossy and the Team.
Rossy | 021 508 806 | treecareauckland.co.nz
