|
Selecting and Planting Trees
and Shrubs
Trees and shrubs come in all
shapes and sizes. How you select your trees and shrubs and how
you plant them will directly affect your home's comfort and energy
efficiency.
Trees and shrubs have a life
span of many years and can become more attractive and functional
with age. But poor planning of landscape improvements often creates
trouble. Ensure proper plant placement and minimal maintenance
before you plant!
Shape Characteristics
Tree shapes are very diverse
think of the difference in shape between an oak and a spruce.
The "Shading" section under "Climate, Site, and
Design Considerations" above discusses how to use varying
tree and shrub characteristics to maximum advantage when landscaping.
The density of a tree's leaves
or needles is important to consider. Dense evergreens, like spruces,
make great wind- breaks for winter winds. If you are just looking
to impede summer winds, choose a tree or shrub with more open
branches and leaves. Such trees are also good for filtering morning
sun from the east, while denser trees are better for blocking
harsh afternoon summer sun.
|
Growth
Should you plant slow-growing
or fast-growing tree species? Although a slow-growing tree may
require many years of growth before it shades your roof, it will
generally live longer than a fast-growing tree. Also, because
slow-growing trees often have deeper roots and stronger branches,
they are less prone to breakage by windstorms or heavy snow loads.
And they can be more drought resistant than fast-growing trees. |
|
Consider growth rate, strength,
and brittleness when locating trees near walkways or structures.
Ask whether the mature tree s root system is likely to damage
sidewalks, foundations, or sewer lines. The smaller your yard,
the more important it is to select a tree with manageable roots.
Selecting, Final Planning,
and Purchasing
Landscape professionals can help
you choose and locate new trees, shrubs, or ground cover.
Share your drawings and tentative
ideas with your local nursery or landscape contractor. As long
as you have defined intended uses and spaces in which planting
is actually possible, a competent nursery or landscape specialist
will be able to help you make decisions.
When planting trees, shrubs,
hedges, or bushes, find out how large the mature specimen will
grow. In all cases, determine spacing by the mature sizes. For
those plants close to your house, plan for at least 1 foot (30
centimeters) of extra clearance between the full-grown shrub
and the wall of the home. This will prevent heavy pruning or
damage to home siding in the future.
After considering the placement
of your trees and consulting landscaping and nursery professionals,
go back to your drawings or plans and add the new information
on species, shape, and mature-size spacing. This provides a final,
prepurchase review to make sure that all elements will work well
together -- in the short and long term.
When you are ready to purchase
your trees and shrubs, avoid buying damaged specimens. Thoroughly
inspect the bark, limbs, and roots to make sure the plant was
handled carefully during growing, digging, and shipping. Reject
plant stock with signs of insects or disease (cocoons, egg masses,
cankers, or lesions).
After you purchase the plants,
be sure to keep tiny root hairs damp and shaded at all times.
The plants will not survive if these root hairs are allowed to
dry before planting.
Contact your public libraries,
local nurseries, landscape architects, landscape contractors,
and state and local energy offices for additional information
on regionally appropriate plants and their maintenance requirements.
read more... |
