What You Need To Know Before You Purchase Trees
Important questions you should ask yourself before you purchase a tree, like what will the tree be used for and is the species of tree appropriate for your area, how big will it get, what is the life expectancy of the tree, and how to match trees to your landscaping needs. Be sure to watch our featured video: Selecting and Planting High Quality Trees
1. Will the tree be used for?
Before you purchase trees, you need to determine what your tree will be used for. If it is to be used for shade then you need to look for trees that provide ample shade and grow well in your location. If they are to be used for food, you need to decide which fruit and nut trees grow well in your area, look at your property and find a good place to plant your trees. Some trees need more sunlight than others. If you are planting trees for decoration then you should plan in advance where you would like to place the tree and make sure there are no electric, gas, or water lines running under that area. You can call your local utility company to find out.
2. Is the species appropriate for your area?
It is vitally important to select trees native to your area. "They will be more tolerant of local weather and soil conditions, enhance natural biodiversity in your neighborhood, and be more beneficial to wildlife than many non-native trees. Avoid exotic trees that can invade other areas, crowd out native plants, and harm natural ecosystems.”
3. How big will it get?
Make sure you check to see how tall the tree will get when it matures. This is important because you need to make sure that the height of your adult tree does not reach power lines. Check to see how wide the tree will get, especially if you live in a residential neighborhood, it is important to make sure you do not plant your tree to close to fences bordering other people's property as your adult tree may reach over onto your neighbors property and this could cause trimming problems, and possible lawsuits later on.
4. What is the average life expectancy of the tree?
Some trees live longer and produce fruit and nuts longer than others. If you are trying to produce fruit or nut trees you want to get ones that live and produce the longest.
5. Does it have any particular ornamental value such as leaf color or flowers and fruits?
If you are getting trees for decoration, consider the color of the leaves, flowers, and fruits to make sure they match your landscaping idea's and they will look much better.
6. Does it have any particular insect, disease, or other problem that may reduce its usefulness?
Some trees are more prone to disease and insects than other's and some have been altered to reduce these effects. It is a good idea to research the trees you want to use and select one's that are less prone to insects and disease.
7. How common is this species in your neighborhood or town?
Look around at other trees in your area and you will have a good idea what grows well in your area. This also helps you to see what the trees will look like when they are grown.
8. Is the tree evergreen or deciduous?
Evergreen trees grow well in most areas, stay green year round, will provide plenty of shade, wind protection, and even muffle noise, year round. They are also quite popular because not only do they offer summer shade but in the winter they allow the sun to shine in which causes a warming effect. Deciduous trees lose their leaves during the fall and winter months and offer little protection from cold winds.
Reference: Tree planting.USDA.gov
Before you purchase trees, you need to determine what your tree will be used for. If it is to be used for shade then you need to look for trees that provide ample shade and grow well in your location. If they are to be used for food, you need to decide which fruit and nut trees grow well in your area, look at your property and find a good place to plant your trees. Some trees need more sunlight than others. If you are planting trees for decoration then you should plan in advance where you would like to place the tree and make sure there are no electric, gas, or water lines running under that area. You can call your local utility company to find out.
2. Is the species appropriate for your area?
It is vitally important to select trees native to your area. "They will be more tolerant of local weather and soil conditions, enhance natural biodiversity in your neighborhood, and be more beneficial to wildlife than many non-native trees. Avoid exotic trees that can invade other areas, crowd out native plants, and harm natural ecosystems.”
3. How big will it get?
Make sure you check to see how tall the tree will get when it matures. This is important because you need to make sure that the height of your adult tree does not reach power lines. Check to see how wide the tree will get, especially if you live in a residential neighborhood, it is important to make sure you do not plant your tree to close to fences bordering other people's property as your adult tree may reach over onto your neighbors property and this could cause trimming problems, and possible lawsuits later on.
4. What is the average life expectancy of the tree?
Some trees live longer and produce fruit and nuts longer than others. If you are trying to produce fruit or nut trees you want to get ones that live and produce the longest.
5. Does it have any particular ornamental value such as leaf color or flowers and fruits?
If you are getting trees for decoration, consider the color of the leaves, flowers, and fruits to make sure they match your landscaping idea's and they will look much better.
6. Does it have any particular insect, disease, or other problem that may reduce its usefulness?
Some trees are more prone to disease and insects than other's and some have been altered to reduce these effects. It is a good idea to research the trees you want to use and select one's that are less prone to insects and disease.
7. How common is this species in your neighborhood or town?
Look around at other trees in your area and you will have a good idea what grows well in your area. This also helps you to see what the trees will look like when they are grown.
8. Is the tree evergreen or deciduous?
Evergreen trees grow well in most areas, stay green year round, will provide plenty of shade, wind protection, and even muffle noise, year round. They are also quite popular because not only do they offer summer shade but in the winter they allow the sun to shine in which causes a warming effect. Deciduous trees lose their leaves during the fall and winter months and offer little protection from cold winds.
Reference: Tree planting.USDA.gov