Choosing Trees for Your Yard

We have been in the process of planting trees on our property for the last six years. The people who lived here before us had planted a bunch of various palm trees, but we wanted some shade trees.

There is one side of the yard that is especially barren and in need of a row of color. Not only will trees give us shade on that side of the yard, but trees will also give us some privacy from the neighbors to the East.

The length of that area of about 110 feet, so it is going to require about 15 trees to make it look full and completely block the view of the neighbor's bare backyard. So far we have eight young trees planted and growing.

If you want to plant some trees on your property for shade, beauty, privacy or all three, your zone and geography will affect the selection of trees. But you'll still find plenty of choices.

If you live in the Northwest, you can plant a hemlock and enjoy its loose, thin foliage for years. Or you can select a spruce for its gray-green needles and lovely 'Christmas tree' shape. Cedar is another popular choice. The thick, bright green foliage provides beautiful color and ample shade.

Maples are associated with New England, of course. And for good reason - they cover that portion of the country everywhere you drive. Fortunately for landscapers, there are a half-dozen types from which to choose and they require only modest care. Just be prepared to rake a lot of those lovely leaves after they fall off in the late Fall.

If you do your landscaping in California you will find a large variety of species and they vary up and down the coast. Southern California has a number of pine, oak and eucalyptus species, while Northern California is home to pine, redwood and fir. Choosing a species that occurs naturally in your area will maximize your chances of success and minimize the need for care. They have evolved to combat the insects and fungi native to the area.

You'll probably want to complement your landscaping design by adding some fruit trees. Here again you have a variety of choices, which vary with your area.

Apple trees do great in Washington and Northern Idaho. Citrus trees, orange and lemon for example, will soak up the sunshine in California or Florida. Peaches do well in Georgia, of course, but they thrive well in California as well.

Cherry trees won't grow everywhere, but they thrive in Virginia, Missouri, Washington and other parts of the country. They produce an abundance of beautiful pink-white flowers and the fruit is a favorite among many.

Keep in mind that no matter which species you pick, you'll probably find it necessary to undertake some pruning efforts in a few years time.

With rare exceptions, trees planted near the house will need to be pruned to ensure their branches don't represent a fire hazard or wind-damage risk. Many fruit trees need to be pruned in order to keep fruit production at a healthy rate year after year.

Cedars, pines and other evergreen species will need to be pruned if you want to walk under and around them. Tamarack are prone to witches broom, produced by a fungus. Infected branches need to be removed to prevent further spread up the tree.

Factor into your decision the amount of water and fertilizer or chemical assistance needed. Apple and cherry trees like a lot of water, pine and hemlock get all they need from the ground. Some trees are prone to certain insect infestations. They may need to be sprayed or pruned to keep them healthy.

I enjoy trees and look forward to a beautiful, shady line of trees in a few years as they mature.