Tree selection is one of the most important investment decisions a home
owner makes when landscaping a new home or replacing a tree lost to damage
or disease. Considering that most trees have the potential to outlive the
people who plant them, the impact of this decision is one that can influence a
lifetime. Match the tree to the site, and both lives will benefit.

The question most frequently asked of tree care professionals is “Which kind of tree do
you think I should plant?” Before this question can be answered, a number of factors
need to be considered. Think about the following questions:

  • Why is the tree being planted? Do you want the tree to provide shade, fruit, or
    seasonal color, or act as a windbreak or screen? Maybe more than one reason?
  • What is the size and location of the planting site? Does the space lend itself to a
    large, medium, or small tree? Are there overhead or belowground wires or utilities
    in the vicinity? Do you need to consider clearance for sidewalks, patios, or
    driveways? Are there other trees in the area? Are there barriers to future root
    growth, such as building foundations?
  • Which type of soil conditions exist? Is the soil deep, fertile, and well drained, or is
    it shallow, compacted, and infertile?
  • Which type of maintenance are you willing to provide? Do you have time to water,
    fertilize, and prune the newly planted tree until it is established, or will you be
    relying on your garden or tree service for assistance?

Asking and answering these and other questions before selecting a tree will help you
choose the “right tree for the right place.”

Tree Function

Trees make our surroundings more pleasant. Properly placed and cared for, trees
increase the value of our real estate. A large shade tree provides relief from summer’s
heat and, when properly placed, can reduce summer cooling costs. An ornamental tree
provides beautiful flowers, leaves, bark, or fruit. Evergreens with dense, persistent
leaves can be used to provide a windbreak or a screen for privacy. A tree that drops its
leaves in the fall allows the sun to warm a house in the winter. A tree or shrub that
produces fruit can provide food for the owner and/or attract birds and wildlife into your
home landscape. Street trees decrease the glare from pavement, reduce runoff, filter
out pollutants, and add oxygen to the air we breath. Street trees also improve the overall
appearance and quality of life in a city or neighborhood.

Form and Size

A basic principle of modern architecture is “form follows function.” This is a good rule to
remember when selecting a tree. Selecting the right form (shape) to complement the
desired function (what you want the tree to do) can significantly reduce maintenance
costs and increase the tree’s value in the landscape. When making a selection about
form, also consider mature tree size. Trees grow in a variety of sizes and shapes, as
shown below. They can vary in height from several inches to several hundred feet.
Select a form and size that will fit the planting space provided.

Depending on your site restrictions, you can choose from among hundreds of
combinations of form and size. You may choose a small-spreading tree in a location with
overhead utility lines. You may select a narrow, columnar form to provide a screen
between two buildings. You may choose large, vase-shaped trees to create an arbor
over a driveway or city street. You may even determine that the site just does not have
enough space for a tree of any kind.  































Site Conditions

Selecting a tree that will thrive in a given set of site conditions is the key to long-term
tree survival. The following is a list of the major site conditions to consider before
selecting a tree for planting:

  • soil conditions
  • exposure (sun and wind)
  • human activity
  • drainage
  • space constraints
  • hardiness zone

Soil Conditions

The amount and quality of soil present in your yard can limit planting success. In urban
sites, the topsoil often has been disturbed and frequently is shallow, compacted, and
subject to drought. Under these conditions, trees are continuously under stress. For
species that are not able to handle these types of conditions, proper maintenance
designed to reduce stress is necessary to ensure adequate growth and survival. Many
arborists will, for a minor charge, take soil samples from your yard to test for fertility,
salinity, and pH (alkalinity or acidity). The tests will be returned with recommendations on
ways to improve poor soil conditions with fertilizers or soil amendments (sand, compost,
or manure) and will also help your local nursery or garden center recommend tree
species that will do well in the soils found on your site.

Exposure

The amount of sunlight available will affect tree and shrub species selection for a
particular location. Most woody plants require full sunlight for proper growth and flower
bloom. Some do well in light shade, but few tree species perform well in dense shade.
Exposure to wind is also a consideration. Wind can dry out soils, causing drought
conditions and damage to branches and leaves during storms, and can actually uproot
newly planted trees that have not had an opportunity to establish root systems. Special
maintenance, such as staking or more frequent watering, may be needed to establish
young trees on windy sites.

Human Activity

This aspect of tree selection is often overlooked. The reality of the situation is that the
top five causes of tree death are the result of things people do: soil compaction,
underwatering, overwatering, vandalism, and the number one cause—planting the
wrong tree—account for more tree deaths than all insect and disease-related tree
deaths combined.

Drainage

Tree roots require oxygen to develop and thrive. Poor drainage can remove the oxygen
available to the roots from the soil and kill the tree. Before planting, dig some test holes
12 inches wide by 12 inches deep in the areas you are considering planting trees. Fill
the holes with water and time how long it takes for the water to drain away. If it takes
more than 6 hours, you may have a drainage problem. If so, ask your local garden
center for recommendations on how to correct the problem, or choose a different site.

Space Constraints

Many different factors can limit the planting space available to the tree: overhead or
underground utilities, pavement, buildings, other trees, visibility. The list goes on and
on. Make sure there is adequate room for the tree you select to grow to maturity, both
above and below ground.

Hardiness

Hardiness is the plant’s ability to survive in the extreme temperatures of the particular
geographic region in which you are planting the tree. Plants can be cold hardy, heat
tolerant, or both. Most plant reference books provide a map of hardiness zone ranges.
Although tropical areas are generally Zone 11, higher elevations have cooler
temperatures that may warrant adjustment to the hardiness zone classification. Check
with your local garden center for the hardiness information for your region. Before you
make your final decision, make sure the plant you have selected is “hardy” in your area.
Tree Selection
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