San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Finding the right spot for a tree
Consider location to avoid costly consquences
Want an easy way to beautify your yard, reduce cooling bills and shelter your home from the elements? You can enjoy these and other “tree”-mendous benefits by planting an oak, maple, birch, cedar, fir, sycamore, pine or other suitable species on your proper ty.
“Trees not only remove dust and pollutants from the air and supply oxygen to the environment but they also offer shade for us to enjoy, intercept rainfall in their leaves and absorb large quantities of water to protect your home, slow the velocity of wind, and improve mental health with their picturesque greenery,” said Melinda Myers, a arborist certified by the International Society for Arboriculture based in Mukwonago, Wisconsin.
What’s more, mature trees can substantially increase property values and reduce neighborhood noise, noted Mary Edwards,
a registered consulting arborist and director of landscapes and grounds at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.
Okay, you think: You’ve sold me. But where’s the best spot on my property to plant a tree?
That’s an important question to ponder and answer, because choosing the wrong location can result in costly and frustrating repercussions.
“The wrong tree in the wrong place can generate serious problems. And it isn’t like furniture — moving a tree to a different location can be over whelming if not impossible,” said James Folson,
director of the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino.
Plant a tree without careful consideration and planning, and you could damage your home or create maintenance headaches.
“You should avoid planting too close to structures, buildings, utility lines, pipes, drain fields or areas that may be considered for future expansion or construction, and you should also avoid saturated soils,” Edwards said.
A sapling planted beneath an overhead power line, for exam
ple, could eventually grow tall enough to reach and compromise that line, putting your family and home in jeopardy.
“Without cautious planning, a tree could end up blocking your driveway or entryway or obstruct passage and views of an alley or street, resulting in a violation of area ordinances,” Myers noted.
Likewise, planting a tree too close to a walkway, paved patio space or home foundation could uplift hardscapes and materials.
Instead, choose a space that provides adequate, well-drained soil for root development and where the tree can mature without impeding, obstructing or compromising any parts of your home or yard, Folsom suggested.
“The spot should allow enough room for proper growth, where the tree can get sufficient sunlight,” Edwards added.
Brandon Watson, creative director at Rainbow Treecare in Minnetonka, Minnesota, said it’s imperative to pick a location where the tree’s root structure can develop unhampered.
“Clearing turf grass and avoiding close proximity to the pavement is best. And trees planted on the south side of your home may provide more cooling benefits,” Watson advised.
However, avoid the south side of your home in northern climates where you want the sun to shine in and help warm your home in winter, Myers said.
“In this case, position the tree on the east or west side of your house to shade your windows, thus reducing cooling costs,” Myers added.
Be sure to phone 811 at least three days before you plan to dig to ensure that you don’t hit any buried power or utility lines. When you call 811, they’ll send an expert out for no charge to mark the location of underground utilities.
Finally, for best results with choosing the right species and location, consult an expert.
“Trees are a long-term investment, and you want to make sure you select the best tree for the growing conditions, desired function, and landscape design on your property,” Myers said. Edwards agreed.
“Find a reputable arborist or supplier who can offer recommendations on proper species, planting and establishment, which are the key factors for tree sustainability,” she said. “Do your homework to make sure you understand the growth habit, climate zone, sun, water, and ph requirements your tree will need to fully mature.”