Tree selection is one of the most important investment decisions a homeowner makes when landscaping a new home, or replacing a tree lost to damage or disease.
Most trees can outlive the people who plant them; therefore, the impact of this decision is one that can last a lifetime. Matching the tree to the site is critical. The following site and tree demands should be considered before buying and planting a tree:
Selecting Trees at the Nursery
When you buy a high-quality tree correctly, plant and properly treat it. Both you and your tree will benefit for many years. When you buy a low-quality tree, you and your tree will have many costly problems, even if you take great care in planting and maintenance.
Things to Consider
- Tree should appear healthy. No discolored bark, wilted leaves, etc.
- Branches should be evenly spaced around the trunk
- Trunk should taper from a solid base, gradually becoming more slender towards the top
- Tree foliage and branches should be distributed on upper 2/3 of tree
- Tree should contain a central, dominant leader
- Tree should be free from mechanical damage
- Tree should be free from insects and diseases
- Roots should not be girdling, circling or pot-bound