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Home Tree Owner Information Choosing the Right Tree

Tree Owner Information

Benefits of Trees
Choosing the Right Tree
Choosing the Right Tree

Managing Tree Hazards and Risk

Plant Health Care

Planting a Tree

Pruning Your Trees Although trees are a great addition to a landscape, not all trees are equally well-suited for every site or
Tree Owner’s Manual climate. Tree selection and placement are important decisions a homeowner makes when landscaping or
replacing a tree. Matching the tree to the site benefits both the tree and the homeowner.
Why Hire an Arborist?
Homeowners should consider soil conditions, what clearance is needed for sidewalks or driveways, and
Translated Brochures
what function the tree will serve before asking the question, “What kind of tree should I plant?”

Learn more about proper tree selection and placement .

Tree Function

Different trees serve many different functions. For example, deciduous shade trees
cool homes in the summer and allow the winter sun to heat homes when they lose
their leaves, while evergreens can provide a windbreak or a screen for privacy, and
fruit trees or shrubs provide food for the owner or wildlife. An arborist can help
homeowners select the right tree based on the landscape and the desired function.

Tree Form and Size

Selecting the right form (shape) to complement the desired function can significantly
reduce maintenance costs and increase the tree’s value in the landscape. In addition,
mature trees typically provide the greatest economic and environmental returns.

Hundreds of form and size combinations are available for homeowners to choose from. Low spreading
trees may be planted under overhead utility lines, while a tall, narrow evergreen may provide a screen.

Site Conditions
Choosing a tree for the right site conditions is the
key to tree survival and reduced maintenance.
Consider the following:
Soil conditions
Exposure to the sun and wind
Space constraints
The tree’s hardiness or ability to survive
extreme temperatures in a specific region
Human activity
Drainage
Insect and disease susceptibility
Personal preferences and site constraints also play major roles in the selection process. An arborist can
provide more information and help homeowners throughout the tree selection process.
Learn more about these and other factors as they relate to tree selection and placement

Buying High-Quality Trees

A high-quality tree can become a long-lasting asset to your
property, whereas a low-quality tree may develop costly
problems over time, increasing the need for maintenance and
reducing the benefits a tree can provide.

Learn more about buying high-quality trees .

Tree Quality Characteristics

A high-quality tree has
A straight trunk will well-spaced branches.
An exposed trunk free of wounds or damage.
A root system where roots grow straight out from the trunk.

A low-quality tree has

Weak form in which multiple stems originate from the same point and
branches grow into each other.
A trunk with wounds from handling or incorrect pruning.
Limited, crushed, or circling roots in an undersized ball or container.

These problems can greatly reduce the tree’s prospects for a healthy and productive
life. When buying a tree, inspect it carefully to identify problems related to form,
injuries, or roots.

Learn more about these and other things to look for when buying high-quality trees

International Society of Arboriculture

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