Selecting the right trees to plant

Trees are a gift of life, and when appropriate tree specimens are planted they can offer a lifetime of beauty and benefits. Trees can live for many decades, and even for hundreds of years so you want to choose right the first time.

Trees add value to a property, but also provide food, shelter, wildlife habitat, wood, paper, dyes, windbreaks, security, shade, cooling, oxygen, privacy, color and beauty. Smart tree selections and good planting locations will provide you with many long term benefits.

According to the USDA Forest Service, trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by up to 30 percent, and can save 20–50 percent in energy used for heating.

In addition, good landscaping especially with trees, can increase a property’s value by as much as 20 percent, according to Management Information Services/ ICMA.

There are many factors that go into tree selection and landscape design, including tree size, shape, color, flowering, bloom timing, seasonality, sun requirements, soil type and PH, habitat, drainage, uniqueness, beauty, etc.

According to a two year study published April 5, 2017 by the Morris Arboretum (Chicago) and the Botanic Gardens Conservation International (London), there are an estimated 60,065 different tree species that exist in the world today.

Fortunately, we have access to possibly 400 commonly available tree species to choose from, so the selection process is a little easier. Most knowledgeable landscape designers, arborists, landscape architects, and landscapers know what grows and survives well in our area.

So, what are your tree objectives, and where are the trees going to be planted? In the Philadelphia region we are USDA zone 6 so you want to select trees that grow well in this zone. Do you want an evergreen variety or a deciduous flowering or shade trees? What is the available space where you are looking to plant trees? What are the soil, light and drainage conditions in that area?

The goal is to plant the right trees in the right place. It is challenging to imagine what trees will look like in 20 - 30 years, but one can prevent future problems by not planting larger growing specimens too close to a building, other trees, or under power lines.

Some of the smaller ornamental trees like Eastern Redbud and Dogwoods grow best in areas protected from the northern winter winds. Other trees like Bradford Pear, Willow, and White Pine are prone to wind, snow and storm damage.

Is the soil acidic or alkaline, and is it well drained? A soil’s porosity affects the amount of water and oxygen available to the roots. Some trees like Stewartias or Japanese maples do not tolerate heavy clay soils or wet feet.

American Sycamores and Willows thrive in wetter soils. Red maples and silver maples will tolerate medium clay soils, whereas Japanese maples generally will not.

The Eastern Redbud flower.