5 Questions to Ask Before You Plant a Tree in Your Yard
Majestic Lawn Care and Landscape Proudly Serving Rockland County& Bergen County, NJ
Did you know trees add to your property’s value? Trees not only add beauty, privacy and stateliness to your residential property, but they also have practical benefits too. Plus, you get cooler temperatures during the summer and natural windbreakers in the winter.
However, you need a plan before you plant trees in your New Jersey or New York yard. Here are five questions to ask yourself or your landscape designer before you break ground for a tree:
- What will the tree’s height be when it reaches maturity?
It’s hard to imagine what a four foot sapling will look like in 10–20 years, but you need to consider what your tree’s full height will be. Will this type of tree work at the spot where you want to plant it? Will it interfere with other trees, your house or electrical wires? If you have a landscape master plan, take a look at it and see if this tree fits in with your overall plan.
- How wide will the canopy be?
In addition to estimating your new tree’s full height, you need to determine how wide the tree will be in 10–20 years. Your tree’s canopy includes extended branches and leaves. Then you need to determine if you want your front- or backyard to be totally shaded, partially shaded, or not shaded at all.
- Will it drop a lot of leaves in the fall or stay green all year round?
There are two main types of trees that you can plant on your NY property: deciduous and evergreen. Deciduous trees have leaves that change color and drop in the fall; evergreens stay green all year round. Both types add to your property’s value—but each has its own benefits.
- Does it grow fruit?
Some trees, like gingko, have the worst smelling fruit known to humankind. Yet, gingko has the most beautiful leaves in late fall. Other trees will drop berries that may stain your walkways and driveway. You need to decide if it’s worth having a tree grow fruit that falls or if it’s not worth the extra hassle of picking it up a few times a day in the fall.
- What are the tree’s needs to grow healthy and strong?
Planting trees is an investment and you want to be sure that you’re getting a return on it. So you need to consider the tree’s health needs before planting it. Does it need a lot of sun? How much water does it need to survive? Can it handle dry conditions? Will it grow well in our Northeast climate?
How Majestic Lawn Care and Landscape Can Help You
When you hire us at Majestic Lawn Care and Landscape, we’ll help you with the types of trees that will work best for your budget and property’s needs. We can help you determine what a tree will look like at full maturity and how that tree will work in your overall landscape design. We offer full tree care services, such as
- Tree planting
- Tree pruning
- Tree fertilization
- Tree removal.
If you live in Bergen County, NJ or Rockland County, NY, call us today at (845)708-2988 or fill out our contact form.
Sources:
Arbor Day Foundation, “The Right Tree in the Right Place.”
HGTV.com, “Increase Your Home’s Value with Mature Trees.”
National Association of Landscape Professionals, “4 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Next Backyard Tree.”