Tree Selection, Ultimate Guide to Select Best Trees

Before heading to the nursery there are few steps to take before starting your tree shopping. These steps will ensure that your new tree gets the best start possible. When your tree is in the proper place it can provide the perfect blend of shade and beauty in your yard.

Observe your yard and decide on a planting site.

Consider where your utilities lines are. Submit an online request at any time at Click Before You Dig or call 1-800-242-3447 before digging. We cannot plant a tree (and you shouldn’t either) without having your lines located, this is a free service!T

Observe the light patterns in a potential planting area throughout the day. Also pay attention to the direction the site is facing (North. East, South or West) and identity existing structures or trees that are blocking the sun from the site.

Trees should be planted 10 to 15′ away from the house and 5′ away from patios and fences.

Choose areas where you want additional privacy and where you want more openness.

If the area where a tree is being planted has existing planting, the new additions to the bed should share the same water needs. Drought tolerant trees go together – Water Dependent plants go together.

All of the information mentioned above is very important for us to help you make the selection that best suits your needs. the more information the better!

In addition to knowing the right spot to plant a tree you should also consider multiple things when selecting the type of tree you want. Here are some things to consider when choosing the type of tree you want.

Evergreen trees have needles that stay on the tree all year long meaning they keep their green colour all year. Some of our favorite evergreen trees include Colorado Spruce, Bakeri Spruce, Scots Pine. Mountain Pine and Fat Albert Spruce.

Deciduous trees shed their leaves in winter, often displaying vibrant colours before they fall. These trees are excellent choices for planting on the south or west side of a house. In winter, sunlight warms the home. while in summer, the tree provides cooling shade. Some great shade trees include Ash, Maple and Willow.

Trees come in many shapes and sizes. Including pyramid, lollipop, column, oval, vase & weeping being the most common shapes.

Trees with a vase shape such as Elm may be ideal to plant along a driveway or boulevard whereas the upright form of a Swedish Aspen may be the best choice to create a privacy screen in a small backyard. An oval shaped tree like the Ivory Silk Lilac is a great choice for a front yard or small backyard tree.

Different trees have different periods of the year where they look the best. This is important to understand so you have an idea of what your yard will look like throughout the year.

Flowering trees are always a wonderful addition to the landscape, adding large scale colour during bloom time. Crabapple trees, Cherry trees, Pear trees, Mount Royal Plum are all great options for early flowering trees.

Trees that have excellent fall colours include Amur Maple, Autumn Blaze Maple, Mountain Ash, Aspens. Muckle Plum, and Ohio Buckeye.

For Winter interest trees consider Amur Cherry, Birch. any variety of Evergreen or Conifer tree, Oak. Sutherland Caragana, Trembling Aspen, Willow and Ivory Silk Lilac all have interesting bark that add dimension and color to a stark winter landscape.

For more landscape design help book a consultation or contact our office 403-938-1835