When and Where should I plant trees?

Trees are a tremendous asset to your home's landscape and beauty and certainly will enhance the look of your property. There are a few considerations when deciding when and where to plant a new tree. Trees that are planted in the wrong area or manner around your home could potentially cause damage or injury.

Consider these factors when choosing a location for a new tree:

Power lines - planting trees under power lines not only creates a hazard for people, it also creates a hazard for the tree. As the tree grows into the power lines, it will be pruned away from them, usually not with proper pruning techniques. 

Sidewalks, driveways & foundations - Some trees produce large and wide spread surface roots that can crack any kind of concrete foundation.

Shade - shade is always a consideration when planting a tree. Be sure to check your existing plant material that would surround the new tree for shade or sun loving.

When should a new tree be planted?

The best time of the year to plant new trees or shrubs in this region is in early to late fall. Fall planting follows the heat of summer, and precedes a cool winter season. Since plant roots grow anytime soil temperature is 40 degrees or higher, the root systems of fall planted trees and shrubs can develop and become well established. When spring arrives, the root system can support and take advantage of spring growth.

What about Insects?

Insects can threaten the health of your trees. If you notice abnormalities in a tree's appearance, you should immediately begin to examine the tree for indications of the problem. If you are unsure, evaluation by a certified arborist can reveal the problems and suggest appropriate actions for treatment.

Some insects are hazardous to your trees and shrubs. Insects can defoliate trees or can suck their sap, which can result in retardation of plant growth. Some insects bore into the trunk and branches, interfering with sap flow, which results in weakened tree structure. Insects can also carry some plant diseases.

Most insects are beneficial to trees, rather than destructive. They can assist with pollination or act as predators of more harmful insects Before killing insects you find in your trees, consult a professional. Killing all insects could actually be more detrimental to the tree's health and growth.

Three main types of insects that affect tree health are chewing, sucking, and boring insects. Always consults a certified arborist for expert advice on tree deterioration due to insect infestation.

Disease

Diseases of trees can weaken their structure and create a hazardous situation where property damage or serious bodily injury could result from falling limbs or the entire tree falling. Upon noticing a tree declining you should contact a professional certified Arborist for diagnosis and treatment.

Fungi, most often, results in a tree becoming hazardous. The activity of a fungi most often follows the following pattern:

- A wound occurs through pruning, wind damage, lawn mower injury, excavation for buildings, curbs, or sidewalks, and trenching for water and gas lines, as well as other activities of man.

- The fungus enters the wound and causes a discoloration of the wood. Or, a fungus begins to rot roots directly with no wound required for entry.

- Enzymes produced by the fungus decay the wood to release nutrients for the fungus, greatly weakening the wood fibers.

- Wood of the internal portions of the trunk or limbs loses strength. Or, the root structure is so weakened that physical support is greatly reduced. Limbs die giving the crown of the tree an asymmetrical shape. Small twigs and branches may litter the ground under the tree.

- The fungus begins to reproduce by forming a mushroom, conk, or shelf-like structure (fruiting structure in which spores are formed) directly on the limbs, trunk, butt, root flares or on roots at some distance from the base of the tree.

- Larger limbs die and may fall. In the case of root rot, the entire tree could possibly fall in a storm.

Symptoms and Management

There are many indicators that a tree is diseased. These indicators include:

- Slowed growth
- Branch dieback
- Smaller than normal leaves or needles
- Excessive cone or seed set
- Premature autumn leaf coloration
- Sever winter twig kill

Unfortunately, nothing can be done for the tree once it is infected. It is unlikely that the fungus can be completely eliminated from the soil or general area around the tree once the tree is removed.