You've waited for this a long time, and now your dream has come true: You have a new home! And with it, a new yard. And now it's time to visit the nursery for a new leafy friend with a strong trunk. First and foremost, what is this investment in your yard going to function as? Do you need something that will shade your yard, give you privacy, or is it as simple as your yard being a bit of an eye-sore to you without some sort of large, luscious magnolia?
Look up what planting zone you live in to easily be able to scratch off trees from your list based on how they'll survive in the climate and check your soil type to ensure that your tree won't be doomed from the start due to dirt that is too rich or too sandy. Consider power lines above restricting height options and pipelines below. Certain trees could look gorgeous and provide excellent shade, but have roots that smother their neighboring plants or even damage the foundation of your house and crack sidewalks.
What part of the day is your tree going to be able to provide shade and where? The space on the side of the house in which you need a tree may be limited. Say you need a tree that only grows up to 20 feet. You might consider a pink flowering tree like the dogwood or the wide, colorful canopy of a Japanese maple variety. Both have seasonal leaves that can provide shade in the summer and flaunt their handsome branches during the cold season. On the other hand, that does mean having to deal with leaves all over your driveway and possible allergies as the seasons change. There's no need to sacrifice your seasonal well-being for a well-shaded patio.
Whether you choose the rugged Australian tea tree or tall and vibrant Robinson crabapple, do your homework just like you would with any long-term investment so you can contentedly watch your leafy family addition mature and thrive for years to come.
