| Catalog |
|
|
| |
| Manufacturers |
- select manufacturer -
John Deere
Kubota
Stihl
Bluebird
Yamaha
Rears Mfg Co
W Perfect
Bobcat (Rentals Only)
BlueLine
Agri-Fab
Goldoni
Turbo-Mist
Massey Ferguson
NONE
|
| |
| Quick Find |
Use keywords to find the product you are looking for.
Advanced Search |
| |
| Contact Information |
Toll-Free: (800) 461-5539
Phone: (509) 886-1566
Fax: (509) 884-5464
Address:
Mail:
PO Box 75
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Physical:
4857 Contractors Drive
E. Wenatchee, WA 98802
More Contact Information
Questions / Feedback Form |
|
 |
Tree Selection
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 "What 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 of the above?
- 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? Do you need to consider clearance for sidewalks, patios or driveways?
Are there other trees in the area?
- What type of soil conditions exist? Is the soil deep, fertile and well drained or
is it shallow, compacted and infertile?
- What 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 prior to beginning the selection
process will help you determine the "right tree for the right place."
Tree Function
Trees make our environments 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 reduce the glare from pavement,
reduce run off, 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 Frank Lloyd Wright, the famous architect, once made
the comment, "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, there are hundreds of combinations of form
and size to choose from. 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 doesn't
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
garden centers will, for a minor charge, arrange to have soil samples taken from
your yard. Samples are tested for fertility 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, peat moss 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, cause damage to branches and leaves during storms, and
actually uproot newly planted trees that haven't 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 statistics related to tree death are caused by people. 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" wide by 12" 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 this is true,
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 and/or
for southern regions, heat tolerant. Most plant reference books will provide a map
of hardiness zone ranges. 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.
Pest Problems
Insect and disease organisms affect almost every tree and shrub species. Every plant
has its particular pest problems, and the severity varies geographically. These
may or may not be life threatening to the plant. You should select plants resistant
to pest problems for your area. Your local ISA Certified Arborist, tree consultant,
or cooperative extension agent can direct you to information relevant to problem
species for your location.
Species Selection
Personal preferences play a major role in the selection process. Now that your homework
is done, you are ready to select a species for the planting site you have selected.
Make sure you utilize the information you have gathered about your site conditions,
and balance them with the aesthetic decisions you make related to your personal
preferences. The species must be suitable for the geographic region (hardy), tolerant
to the moisture and drainage conditions of your soil, resistant to pests in your
area, and have the right form and size for the site and function you have envisioned.
Remember, that beautiful picture of the tree you looked at in the magazine or book
was taken of a tree that is growing vigorously because it was planted in the right
place. If your site conditions tell you the species you selected won't do well under
those conditions, don't be disappointed when the tree doesn't perform in the same
way.
If you are having difficulty answering any of these questions on your own,
contact your local ISA Certified Arborist, tree care professional, garden center,
or county extension agent for assistance. Their assistance will help you to plant
the "right tree in the right place." It is better to get them involved early and
make the right decision, to avoid having to call them later to ask them if you made
the wrong decision.
‹ Back to Helpful Hints
|