Trees
Whether aware of it or not, all of us like to be around trees because they make life more pleasant. We respond to the presence of trees beyond simply observing their beauty. We feel serene, peaceful, restful, and tranquil when around trees...we are "at home" there.
Choose from a category below to view listings of various types of trees:
Why Plant Trees?
Whether aware of it or not, all of us like to be around trees because they make life more pleasant. We respond to the presence of trees beyond simply observing their beauty. We feel serene, peaceful, restful, and tranquil when around trees...we are "at home" there. In studies, hospital patients have been shown to recover from surgery more quickly when their hospital room offered a view of trees.
The stature, strength, and endurance of trees give them a cathedral-like quality. Because of their potential for long life, trees frequently are planted as living memorials. We often become personally attached to trees that we or those we love have planted.
Most trees in cities or communities are planted to provide beauty or shade. These are two excellent reasons for their use. Not only are trees a beautiful addition to any outdoor environment, strategically placed ones (on the west side of a home or building) can help to reduce cooling costs during the warm season.
The Benefits of Trees
- Communal Benefits - Even though trees may be private property, their size often makes them part of the community as well. Communities where many trees exist feel more inviting and are asthetically more appealing. They provide background to and soften, compliment, or enhance the architecture.
- Environmental Benefits - Trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water, and harboring wildlife.
By planting large shade trees climate control is obtained by moderating the effects of sun, wind, and rain. Radiant energy from the sun is absorbed or deflected by leaves on deciduous trees in the summer and is only filtered by branches of deciduous trees in winter. It's nice to have some shady refuge around during the hot days of summer. In winter, we value the sun's radiant energy. Therefore, we should plant only small or deciduous trees on the south or east side of homes.
The root sytems of moisture-loving trees such as riverbirch and weeping willow help to soak up water in boggy areas of the yard or landscape. Other moisture-loving plants can be planted along with them to form a 'bog garden'.
Those who garden in the hotter climate of the South will be happy to know that temperature in the vicinity of trees is cooler than that away from trees. The larger the tree, the greater the cooling. By using trees in the cities, planners are able to moderate the heat-island effect caused by pavement and buildings in commercial areas. The same thing goes for around your home.
Air quality can be improved through the planting of trees. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particulates. Rain then washes the pollutants to the ground. Leaves of trees also absorb carbon dioxide from the air to form carbohydrates that are used in the trees structure and function. In this process, leaves also absorb other air pollutants - such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide - then giving off oxygen.
By planting trees, we return to a more natural, less artificial environment. Trees will can create a wildlife habitat on your property, attracting birds and other wildlife by providing homes and sometimes food for them. Planting trees is an excellent way to restore natural harmony to the urban environment.
- Economic Benefits - Trees have value and become more valuable as they grow larger. In addition to the economic benefits associated with energy costs, trees also substancially increase the value of your property as they grow larger. Trees are a wise investment because landscaped homes are more valuable than nonlandscaped homes. Hybridizing in the modern day has helped to bring us trees that grow much faster than their parents did.
- Color - Flowering trees bring color to your landscape in almost every season. Tulip trees and Okame cherry are first to bloom in spring and are followed by redbuds and other varieties of flowering cherry. Crape myrtles bloom during the summer and are unrivaled in longevity of bloom (75-100 days). In fall, Maples set your landscape on fire with their fall foliage display. The Gingko tree produces the most spectacular display of yellow fall foliage you've ever seen on a tree. Many of the Faurieii hybrid crape myrtles have beautiful fall foliage in shades of maroon, orange, or red. Bald cypress and the evergreen cryptomeria 'Yoshino' show off orange to rust color foliage in fall.
Tree Selection
Tree selection is one of the most important investment decisions a home owner makes when landscaping a home. 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, seasonal color, or act as a windbreak or screen?
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 below-ground wires or utilities in the vicinity? - If so, you should select trees that will not interfere with these wires. Otherwise, the utility companies may be hacking them back on a regular basis. You wouldn't want to plant an oak that grows 50' + tall and 40' wide too close to your home or directly under powerlines. Instead, plant lower growing trees such as Trident Maple (to 25' tall) or Crape Myrtles (from 10 - 25' tall).
Do you have space constraints or need to consider clearance for sidewalks, patios, and driveways? - You don't want too small a tree too close to surfaces where there will be walking or driving traffic. Only plant larger trees that can be limbed up high enough to walk or drive under. When selecting trees trees to line a driveway, make sure you know what the spread of the tree is at maturity. If the tree grows 30' wide plant no closer than 15' to the driveway. When planted too close to concrete or asphalt surfaces, the root sytems of large growing shade trees can cause cracking or buckling of the surface material. Plant weeping willows, rioverbirch and other moisture-loving trees at least 50' away from underground septic lines and swimming pools.
Are there other trees in the area? - One of the biggest mistakes we see is when a large growing shade tree is planted too closely to a Japanese Maple. Over time what would have been a magnificent japanese Maple specimen is corwed out entirely by the larger tree. Make sure to properly space trees when designing or sketching a plan. Know the width of a tree at its maturity. If there is no plan and you are setting trees out to plant, use marker paint to draw a circle around the tree to indicate diameter of the canopy at maturity. This will help to ensure you are properly spacing.
Which type of soil conditions exist? - Does the soil in the area retain moisture, or is it well-drained and drier? If the soil is moisture=retentive or consistently damp or wet you might select trees that prefer these conditions, such as Riverbirch, Weeping Willow or Bald Cypress.
What exposure is there to sunlight? - When planting in full sun you don't want to select trees such as Dogwoods which prefer shadier situations.
What form is best? - When making a selection about form, consider mature tree size. Does the site require a narrower growing tree or can it afford a wide growing tree? How tall can the tree get where you are planting it? Select a form that will fit the planting space provided.
What trees are hardy in my Zone? - When selecting trees to plant in your landscape make sure to consider hardiness. Find your USDA Hardiness Zone here. Then browse through the Tree Files on this site to find the trees that can be grown in your zone.
Below is a current listing of all trees on the website:
Click on any thumbnail image or link to see a detailed description, usage tips and instructions for care.
(72) Plants Found. Showing 1 to 6 of 72.