The benefits of trees extend far beyond the beauty they bring to the landscape. Tree give off oxygen, reduce the amount of stormwater runoff, provide protection, and offer many other social environmental, and economic benefits..
There are five components to choosing trees for a planting site. Begin by evaluating 1) site attributes above and below ground, 2) potential site modifications and 3) tree maintenance (management) capabilities. Then 4) choose desirable tree attributes, and 5) select appropriate trees for the site. It is a process that many people do not undertake.
Although trees are a great addition to a landscape, not all trees are equally well-suited for every site or climate. Tree selection and placement are important decisions a homeowner makes when landscaping or replacing a tree. Matching the tree to the site benefits both the tree and the homeowner.
Trees are an investment. How well that investment grows depends on several factors including, the type of tree planted, its location and the care provided. Getting your new tree off to a healthy start will help the tree mature to its full size and ensures it will provide environmental, economic, and social benefits throughout its lifetime.
When a tree is established, many roots will have grown a distance equal to approximately 3 times the distance from the trunk to the branch tips (Gilman 1988; Watson and Himelick 1982). During the establishment period, shoots and trunk grow slower than they did before transplanting. When their growth rates become more or less consistent from one year to the next, the tree is considered established.
Pruning is the most common tree maintenance procedure. Unlike forest trees, landscape trees need a higher level of care to maintain structural integrity and aesthetics. Pruning must be done with an understanding of tree biology because improper pruning can create lasting damage or shorten the tree’s life.
Well managed palm planting projects start with appropriate site analysis, customer expectations, site design, and palm selection. Palm selection includes choosing the appropriate species for the planting site based on site analysis.
There is no doubt trees can cause damage and be damaged in storms. However, appropriately placed and maintained trees can help reduce damage to structures in storms by deflecting wind, and reduce damage to trees.
