Trees are the framework of the landscape and should be considered first in the overall scheme. If a property already has trees on it, they will naturally determine landscaping choices. If adding a tree is desired, it is fun to go tree shopping and find a variety you like. Take care, though, for no tree should be placed (or even more importantly, cut down) without serious consideration regarding its characteristics, virtues, and vices as the plant holding the title of “king of the yard.”
 |
| Photo: Flickr |
Beautiful Old Oaks
I grew up in a neighborhood underneath a canopy of ancient native oak trees. Other trees were mixed in, both large and small. I loved the beauty of the neighborhood, but was not fully aware of how much that beauty depended on all of those trees. As I recall, there were at least ten oak trees on our lot alone, with many more around the houses all the way down the street. Think about your favorite neighborhood streets in your corner of the valley—chances are your choices have a great deal to do with what trees are living there.
Tree Tradeoffs
I must admit that at the same time our big and beautiful oaks gave our street its own gracious character, they also made for a whole lot of work for the homeowners every fall. Due payment, it seems, for the marvelous effect our trees had on the neighborhood, but a fact worth considering when choosing trees for planting. A tree is a major investment, and will be a major player in your landscape for many years, possibly outliving you. Plant carefully!
Your Yard's Tree Plan
So, while I value those old oaks to this day, and find it sad when any of those giants must be cut down, I have decided that there are better trees than oaks to be planted should one have the choice in developing the landscape. I repeat, cutting down a towering old native giant just for vanity’s sake is a serious act and deserves serious consideration. That aside, it is good pleasure to consider just the right places for just the right trees when developing your yard. There are many things to think about in this process…here are a few that I have found helpful:
Deciduous or Evergreen?
Do you want the constant shielding effect, color, and texture of an evergreen, or would you prefer a leafy tree that colors and shades in summer and fall, then drops its leaves to allow much-needed winter light into the home?
Large, Medium, or Small?
What is your purpose for the tree? Are you out to create the protected, solid, covered feeling that a large tree creates? Such trees tend to dominate a large area, perhaps even the entire landscape of a city lot, but there is nothing like the mood they create when full grown.
Would you prefer a medium-sized tree? There are many mid-sized deciduous trees that are easy to grow, capable of providing a nice shaded area within the yard. They provide lush green color and flowery ornamentation close to eye level. Many varieties are easy to maintain and easy to cope with should trimming or even removal become necessary.
Perhaps a certain area, such as a berm, shade garden, fence-side planting bed, or small lawn area would benefit from the presence of a small tree. These situations provide an opportunity to showcase a truly unique specimen. It is surprising how many different types of highly ornamental small trees will grow well in our valley.
|
|
Fruiting, or Fruitless?
Don’t forget that a tree planting even in a neighborhood yard is an opportunity to plant for your favorite fruit! Fruit trees make beautiful blossoms as well as tasty treats that you can allow to ripen right before your eyes before harvesting. They come in various sizes and hybrid varieties and so can fit in a number of landscape settings.
Don't forget that trees that fruit (even it it's generally considered inedible, like a crabapple) have lovely blossoms on the spring.
How Much Care Does It Need?
Fruit trees especially beg this question. Are you willing to prune, thin, spray, irrigate, net, harvest and generally coddle? If not, choose a different tree. There are many ornamental fruitless varieties that demand less care to grow successfully. Generally, think about what it will take to start the tree, shape it as it grows, then care for the tree and clean up its normal yearly foliage dropping and trimmings.
Happy landscaping! Don’t forget to plant two trees that will develop stout trunks and make plenty of shade, exactly one hammock’s-width apart. 
