If you are thinking of planting a tree, now is the time. Early autumn allows the plant to successfully settle into its new home and for its roots to sink into and spread out into the hopefully, cooler, damper earth. But, what kind of tree?
When I am out walking, I sometimes wonder how much thought was given to the type of tree and/or its future, when it was planted in a narrow strip or next to a sidewalk or driveway. What will happen to the roots and the nutrients the tree should be picking up from the earth? What will happen to the sidewalk or driveway when the roots get crowded and start lifting up the hardscape? Was any thought given to its future fruits or berries dropped on the sidewalk or the sticky “honey” future aphids will produce? Here are a few considerations.
Before buying a tree, think about what you want to accomplish with this living organism. Is it shade, beauty, or, maybe, fruit production? Will it attract birds or pollinators or, potentially, other creatures that you might not want? I have seen palm trees cut down for attracting rats. How does the tree reproduce? Will its pollen be a seasonal aggravation? Or will its sprouting seeds mean constant weeding? How tall will it get, and will PG&E's contractors be sent out to “top” it? How wide will its canopy get, and will the sidewalk it is covering need daily cleaning due to fruit-drop, sap or bug-related production? Some crape-myrtles attract aphids whose droppings leave hardscapes extremely sticky and stained. Will it drop leaves, seeds or twigs seasonally or year-round like a camphor tree? Is it a fast or slow growing tree? Slow-growers, like oaks, tend to live longer, while Bradford pears last just a few years. What kind of soil is it going to be planted in and what is its pH? New construction often leaves degraded, compacted and alkaline soil. Many trees need better circumstances to live. What about ongoing air pollution? Trees do help clean the air, but they too can suffer from dirty air.
I really do love trees, especially when I am out walking on hot days, but I have seen many trees planted where they are not going to get what they need to flourish. And, I have seen too many trees cut down due to disease or premature death because they were not planted correctly. A little research ahead of a potential impulse buy could help save the planter and the tree.
For more information, check out these resources:
Tree City USA Bulletin: The Right Tree for the Right Place
acmg.ucanr.edu/Over_the_Fence/Selecting_Planting_Caring_for_Street_Trees/
