No matter whether compact or spacious, backyards are indisputably a blessing! To bring the empty dull corners of your backyard to life, try adorning it with trees.
Planting trees in your garden can work wonders for its looks – imagine your garden blooming with colorful fragrant flowers all spring and fresh fruits all summers and winters. Trees can anchor the entire landscape of your garden! However, these trees have to be just the right type, size, and variety. A tree too big would hog the whole scene, whereas, a tree too small may look like an afterthought. Also, some apparently beautiful trees might require too much expertise, space, and light to grow. Similarly, some tree varieties might not be adaptable to your region's soil and temperature. All of these and many more factors need to be taken into consideration before you choose to plant picture-perfect trees in your garden. To know them all, begin taking notes for we have pulled together all the important aspects that you must consider while choosing the right tree for your yard.
Size of the Tree:
While you go out to get your yard a plant, the very first thing to take note of is the tag that comes along it. No matter how appealing a plant might look within its container, it is crucial to learn about how big a tree would grow when matured. Visualize it standing to its highest in your garden and only go for it if your yard space can accommodate it well. Adequate knowledge of the average size and height of trees upon maturing saves you from a heap of problems later. A tree too big may cause overcrowding, blockage of air and sunlight for fellow trees, interference with overhead powerlines, unwanted branch widespread peeking into neighborhood, obstruction of pedestrian and vehicular routes, and much more. On the contrary, a tree too small for your yard space may ill-suit the fellow sky-high trees, ruining the outlook of your garden. Tip: Never plant a tree too close to other trees, your home's entryway or main gate, fences shared with neighbors, or electricity poles. Tree branches roll out and grow huge which might obstruct nearby objects.
Space Requirements:
Take a look around, and you'd find several shapeless trees with pruned branches. That's because probably the widespread branches of these trees were scraping hard against the nearby fences, windows, or walls and were thus, trimmed recklessly. One of the most important factors to consider while planting a tree is the space it needs to thrive. Particularly when planting multiple trees, it is essential to know the space your yard has to offer. While at first, these little plants may offer your eyes a green break from the urban grays, they can turn out to be problematic when all grown. Trees require adequate sunlight that serves justice to all its sides, effective air circulation, nutrient-rich fertile soil, and generous space to roll out well. When planted too close to other trees or in a compact space with shadowing boundaries, trees might not soak up enough sunlight due to blockage by neighboring trees, which can affect their growth adversely. Also, close plantation deprives them of an effective air circulation. Further, there is always more than what meets the eye! The tree roots flourishing beneath the soil grow two to four times more than the canopy’s radius. If planted in a compact space, or too close to other trees or nearby buildings, these fragile feeder roots can be obstructed by building foundations, masonries, roots of other trees, or underground sewer lines. To have your trees thrive well in shape and form without any disturbances, watch out for their size and space requirements, in particular. It is generally advised to allow a medium-sized tree (25-50 feet high) a radius of at least 8-10 feet. Point to note: Wavy rows of trees offer more space for the branches and roots to thrive as compared to strictly regimented rows.
Climatic & Soil Conditions:
Before you stick out to search the tree for your backyard, must think of the weather, soil, and other growth conditions that your region is subject to. Opting for a tree that will perfectly go in line with a given set of soil and climatic conditions is the key to optimal tree growth, long-term survival, and fewer maintenance needs. Look out for the following important factors when choosing the tree for your yard.
Soil conditions play the most vital part in the growth of a tree. Most of the trees require clammy or well-drained fertile soil to grow. However, these requirements may vary between different kinds of trees and must be taken into consideration specifically. The topsoil at most Urban sites is usually shallow, nutrient-deficient, porous, compacted, and drought-struck. Most of these problems can be catered to with external care such as fertilizer application, regular watering, mulching, and soil replacements. Both the chemical and physical properties of soil should be examined for adaptability with the trees to-be-planted.
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Exposure to Sunlight & Wind:
The amount of sunlight provided greatly affects the growth of trees – look into the optimal growth conditions of the tree you desire to plant. Woody plants or those with flowers generally need full sunlight, whereas others might require a light or dense shade to thrive. Only choose to plant a tree if your yard attracts enough sunlight to help it thrive. Residing in areas that are exposed to strong winds can cause damage to the branches of fragile trees or newly planted trees. Harsh winds can also dry out the soil resulting in drought conditions. To save the cause, plant trees that can stand out heavy winds or arrange for other wind-shelters (greenhouse shades, banana or other strong trees etc.).
The temperature of a region drives the fruit crop yielded there. Must know the temperature of your region before you plant a tree. A tree's tolerance to drought, frosty winds, or summer heat makes an important factor to consider. Some trees require a certain number of cold hours or sunlight to bear flowers and fruits – do look out for the provision of these essentials. Not all trees can be grown in your yard. For instance, you might be a Cedar tree lover for its beauty and aroma, but you can’t grow this winter-hardy tree while you reside in the hot heaven, Spain!
The most popular Yard Trees!
In addition to the considerations above, must be noted about home-growing a tree! Growing a tree for the first time in your very own yard space can be a challenge especially when paired with little expertise and experience. To make your home-gardening experience worthwhile and fool-proof, start with the trees that are simpler to plant and a breeze to grow. Some of the most popular trees loved by yard-owners for their low cost and maintenance needs include the following.
- The American Holly: This verdant evergreen tree takes a height of 15-50 feet. It offers white blooms during the spring, whereas fall comes in paired with luscious red berries.
- Dogwood: You'd hardly find any garden devoid of this decorative tree. It adapts to almost all hardiness zones and blooms all year; either with red, pink, and white blossoms, a lush canopy, or a crisp red foliage.
- Green Giant Arborvitae: Also known as the privacy tree, this fast-growing evergreen tree adapts to all kinds of soils, is disease-free, and takes a conical shape when grown. Most home-owners use it as a hedge or a single specimen in their backyards for privacy and sub-division purposes.
For any tree you choose, make sure to take into account the size, space, temperature, and other optimal growth requirements. When up for anchoring your yard space, be very wise and careful for the right tree in the right location is the best addition to your property!
