
Plant your tree where it can provide shade for any outdoor equipment you use frequently, such as playground sets, grills, and decks. The shade will provide a much-needed escape from the sun. Place flowering or fruit trees in a prominent location. This is important if you are adding them to your yard for decorative purposes.
What is the best way to plant trees?
T-notch planting
- Push the spade fully into the ground.
- At a right angle to the first cut, repeat step 1 to create a T-shape.
- Take the spade to the original cut and lever it upwards, parting the turf.
- Place the tree carefully in between the sections of turf.
- Lever the spade back out and the turf will fall into place. ...
How to make trees grow faster [and healthier]?
The Secret to Healthy, Fast-Growing Trees
- Tree Watering. Experts agree that the best way to irrigate your soil is through slow, deep applications of water on a regulated schedule.
- Protection. While growing, your garden is at risk from small and large animals as well as wind, chemical sprays and equipment.
- Pruning and Disease Control. ...
How to decide where to plant a tree?
Steps Download Article
- Inspect your yard for locations to plant the tree in. ...
- Ask the store employee or gardener how much space the tree's roots will need to grow. ...
- Consider strategically planting trees to lower utility costs. ...
- Contact your local power, water, and gas companies before you dig a spot to plant your tree. ...
How to choose where to plant trees?
- Available space
- Proximity to underground pipes (sewer, septic, water, gas)
- Location of overhead power lines
- Local ordinances about how far back from the road trees must be located
- How a tree planting my impact your neighbors (views, leaf litter, shade, etc.)

Where is the best place for planting trees?
Trees are most frequently planted for shade. The most important shade tree on home grounds is usually located near the southwest corner of the house. If placed properly, it will shade the house during the latter part of the afternoon in summer. Trees provide better shade than artificial structures.
What side of the house should I plant trees?
Shade the Southeast, West, and Southwest of Your House Having big, leafy trees in the southeast corner shades your house all morning. As the sun passes overhead, the trees on the southwest side take over the job of cooling your house. The hot afternoon sun is blocked by trees on the west side.
Which direction tree should be planted?
Dig a hole 2 to 3 times as wide as your tree's root ball. Then, carefully place it in the hole, keeping the root ball intact. Position the tree in the center of the hole so the best side is facing in the direction you want.
Does it matter where you plant a tree?
Poor placement can result in roots or branches too close to structures, driveways or sidewalks. You could also run into problems with underground plumbing, or overhead or underground power lines. Before you plant, it's important to know the tree's height at maturity, as well as its crown spread and root space.
Where should trees be planted in a yard and why?
Place a tree upwind of your home to help block out the wind and save on heating costs in the winter. In many locales, this means setting your tree up on the north or west sides of your landscape. If you're trying to save on cooling costs in the summer, a well-placed tree can also shield out the sun and shade your home.
What trees should not be planted around the house?
Cypress. Cypress trees have a high water demand and are often planted on poorly-drained clay soils to help remove some of the moisture. This can be a problem close to houses where the soil can contract, damaging foundations.
What should you not do when planting a tree?
#1 Poor Selection. Selecting the right tree for the right place is also essential. ... #2 Inadequate Root System. A healthy root system means a healthy tree. ... #3 Poor Planting Site. ... #4 Pot Bound / Girdling Root. ... #5 Planting Hole is Too Small. ... #6 Planted Too Deep. ... #7 Improperly or Not Mulched. ... #8 Not Staked.More items...•
How far should trees be planted from house?
Trees should be planted at least a distance of 1/2 of their mature canopy width from a home. For example, if a tree's canopy at maturity is 40 feet wide, it should be planted at least 20 feet from your home.
Can you plant a tree anywhere you want?
No matter where you live, you can plant trees...and take a proactive, positive step toward keeping our planet healthy. Plant trees in your yard and around your home. They'll provide shade to cool your home in summer and windbreaks to reduce cold winds in winter - reducing your energy needs.
What should I know before planting a tree?
Things every homeowner should consider when planting a treeMeasure Your Space. That tag on the tree that tells you how big your tree or shrub will grow? ... Check Your Soil. ... Determine Exposure. ... Think About Safety. ... Plant With Your View in Mind. ... Be A Good Neighbor. ... Consider Your Legacy.
Should you plant a tree in the middle of the yard?
Our advice: Plant tree species that are smaller or those that have thinner canopies if you're planting a tree in the middle of a yard that already gets plenty of shade. If your yard constantly receives sunlight, feel free to plant a large tree that will produce a full canopy. You can't control where tree roots grow.
What happens if a tree is not planted deep enough?
When planted too shallow, or above grade, the roots that are supposed to grow horizontally have nowhere to go. They either stop at the edge of the planting hole or they grow into the mulch which does not hold moisture or nutrients well for the tree.
Is it good to have a tree in front of house?
Planting a tree in front of your house can be a great way to make your yard stand out during all seasons. It's a timeless addition that can also aid in lowering your heating costs over time, as well as contributing to the overall value of your home should you ever decide to move.
Which tree is best for front yard?
14 Front Yard Tree FavoritesAmerican Holly (Ilex opaca) ... Pineapple Guava (Feijoa sellowiana) ... Persimmon (Diospyros spp.) ... 'Fastigiata' Spruce (Picea pungens var. ... 'Kwanzan' Flowering Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan') ... Redleaf Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum var. ... Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria)More items...
How far should you plant a tree from your house?
Trees should be planted at least a distance of 1/2 of their mature canopy width from a home. For example, if a tree's canopy at maturity is 40 feet wide, it should be planted at least 20 feet from your home.
What trees can you plant next to a wall?
Small, flowering trees, such as the redbud or saucer magnolia, can do well near a retaining wall. The Amur maple or golden rain tree are smaller options that do well in yards with retaining walls. Crape myrtles grow slow, another good trait to look for when placing trees near retaining walls in landscaping.
How to choose a planting site for a tree?
Selecting a planting site for your tree is as much about you as it is about the tree. Consider how the tree's placement will affect the visual beauty of your backyard. Place the tree in areas where its foliage and blossoms complement nearby plants and structures. Additionally, consider the tree's mature size.
How much space do trees need?
In fact, many tree species need 50 feet or more of buffer space around them.
How to layer trees in a big yard?
If you're planting multiple tree sizes, layer them visually by planting the larger trees on the perimeter of your property and placing the smaller trees closer to your field of vision.
How to grow a tree in a hole?
Create drainage testing holes in all of your tree planting site options to test how well the area drains. Dig an 18-inch-deep hole and fill it with water. Ideally, the water should drain out of the hole within two hours, but up to one day is acceptable. If it takes longer than one day to drain, the site isn't suitable for planting your tree unless you're willing to incorporate heavy amounts of soil amendments into the area to loosen the soil structure.
What zone do oak trees grow in?
For example, the Arbor Day Foundation says that US Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9 are best for oak trees (Quercus virginiana). Damson Plum Trees, on the other hand, grow best in USDA zones 5 through 7.
Is it true that it's all about location?
By Joshua Duvauchelle. As real estate agents often say , it's all about location. This is true in many areas of life, including gardening. Planting a tree can add beauty to any landscape, but only if you place the tree correctly.
How should I plant my tree?
After you have opened its box and unwrapped the tree completely , place it in a shady spot and water it really well the night before planting. When you are ready to plant carefully slide the tree out of its pot.
Can you disturb a conifer tree?
If your tree is an evergreen needle-tree (a conifer) the roots are finer and should not be disturbed. Palms and other exotic trees should also not be disturbed when planting. Place your tree in the center of the hole so that it will be in the same depth as it was in the pot.
