Trees are amazing because as they grow and mature they change the environment they inhabit. Everyone remembers a photo of themselves standing in a place with small trees. That same place 20 to 30 years later is not the same place at all. Those of you who have lost fully mature trees to disease or storms know that without the trees the "feel" of the place is drastically altered. Trees mark time with their longevity and provide a sense of grandeur, protection, and change the quality of any area.

We all have childhood stories about trees. We may remember a picnic under a tree,a tree house,or a rope swing that we flew from as we got really brave. Our memories of trees as well as their beauty and function make us feel strongly about them and compel us to plant them in our own yards. There are practical reasons to plant trees too. A well placed tree is truly a solid investment in your home. You may want to screen a view,lower your energy bill, beautify your home, or attract birds for entertainment. 

Whatever you want your trees to do, you need to choose carefully because you will be living with the results for a long time. Often by the time you figure out you've made a mistake, the tree will be so big it will be hard to remove. If you decide to live with it anyway you will spend years cleaning up after it, fighting shallow roots cracking your driveway, or trimming branches to shape the tree into something it will never be. 

Here are some things you should know:

1. Trees come in all different shapes and sizes. Full grown trees can range in height from 15 feet to 100 feet tall. All the pruning in the world will not make a large canopy tree fit against a house or other small space. The general shape of the tree branches can be horizontal, upright and columnar, or pointed downward and weeping. Planting a low branching tree in a lawn area is guaranteed to lead to aggravation when mowing. An evergreen will require a 30 foot spread when it is full grown. If you don't have that much room,your privacy will be lost as you trim up the branches to make it fit.
2. Trees have distinct soil and climate requirements. Nature does a good job at planting trees because it matches the specific requirements of each tree with its surroundings. Nature knows pines like well drained sandy soil, cottonwoods don't mind wet feet and can grow lakeside, and nature will never try to plant a magnolia tree in cold climates. There are ways to add non-native trees to your landscape, but you will really need to give them special care. The best way to get trees to grow well is to match your surroundings with your tree's needs.
   Tree location depends on your reasons for planting. You know where to plant if privacy is your goal. Whether you are trying to screen out a roadway, an unattractive view, or create a room apart from your neighbor's view, evergreens are often used as privacy screens because they provide year round visual barriers.
3. Evergreens planted on the north and west sides of your home can block winter winds. Shade trees should be planted on the south and west sides of the house, or in another area such as a patio that needs shelter from the hot summer sun.
   When you plant trees to beautify your home, think of them as the structure for the rest of your yard. If you have a large yard,you can break it into "rooms" by using groupings of trees. A tree can outline a "ceiling" in a patio and provide a place to hang lights. A flowering tree can create a focal point at the end of a path.
4. Fall is the best time to plant. You can plant trees during the spring and summer, but fall is the best time to plant. The temperatures are cooler, trees have started to go dormant, and it gives them some time to put down roots before the next growing season. Also, the likelihood of rain is greater during this time of year, which will help ensure a good start for your new tree.

There is a Chinese proverb that says "keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come." Maybe if we plant a tree in our yards we will find pleasure that will outlive us.

By Barb Cross