There are so many benefits to planting a tree! More and more research is coming out showing the true impact of our urban tree canopy on our communities every day. What we know is that these giants provide benefits far beyond just their looks. A properly maintained urban tree canopy provides communities with shade, cooling effects resulting in energy conservation, improved health for community residents via proven air filtering and mental health benefits, protection from the elements, increased home value, and so much more (International Society of Arboriculture, 2021).

The benefits of planting a properly selected tree on your property can’t be fully measured. Selecting a tree, where to plant it, how to plant it, and how to maintain it can be overwhelming though! Luckily, there are a lot of resources available to help homeowners and property owners make the right choices to set their property up for future success. This article is an overview, based on years of experience and continuing education, of the key considerations when selecting a tree, along with links to some fantastic resources created to help the public with this important task.

1. Site Selection

Site selection is one of the most important elements to consider when planting a tree. Key considerations when selecting sites are: location on your property in relation to other property structures and elements (utilities, other trees, etc), species predicted growth pattern considerations, and access to water. When you bring home a tree that is only a few inches around the trunk, it can be hard to picture what that tree will look like in ten years. Advanced knowledge of the growth pattern of the tree species you are looking at (predicted future height and width of canopy as well as root structure), can save you the heartache of removing a section of a beautiful, healthy tree in the future because it grew into your roofline, or your roots grew into your driveway and sidewalk.

A common mistake we often see is planting a tree in the middle of the grass. With the types of soil we have around us, this type of environment prevents your tree from getting the water and nutrients it needs to thrive. Trees need watered deeply and slowly, specifically in the root zone, whereas, grass needs widespread, superficial watering. Tree planted in the middle of a patch of grass without at least a mulch ring will often exhibit slow growth and increased susceptibility to damage and disease.

The best sites for trees have:

·      Convenient and consistent access to water. Avoid sites where grass sprinklers hit the tree, including the trunk, as this can encourage disease growth and cause mechanical damage over time.

·      Far enough from other things on your property that could restrict future growth such as utilities. Property owners need to ensure they are aware of underground utilities and submit a request through 811 to have underground utilities marked prior to doing any digging or planting of trees. For an excellent resource on avoiding utilities, check out this guide Avoid Utility Conflict.

2. Tree Selection

   
   

   

   
   

Selecting a proper species of tree, from a reputable nursery, will make your tree planting process exponentially more likely to be successful in the long term. A few factors to consider when selecting trees are species and varieties that do well in your local environment, your specific soil type and condition, and the planting location’s exposure to weather and elements. There are several great resources for selecting a tree that is best suited for your property and location. One of the most comprehensive for our region of Northern Colorado that we have found is the Front Range Tree Recommendation List (City of Greeley). Most cities and towns also have ordinances that provide requirements for species selection and placement or give a list of trees they recommend online. Look for your town or cities Forester page. If your town or city doesn’t have one, search for neighboring community’s.

When selecting a source for your tree stock, look for experienced nurseries near you with good reviews. Most offer some kind of a warranty program and will give great advice about tree selection for your local area. Burlap wrapped root balls are typically more susceptible to transplant shock over container grown, but container grown can have root structure concerns. Air pruned pots are the best option but can be hard to find. This guide from the International Society of Arboriculture’s “Trees are Good” site provides guidance when selecting your tree (International Society of Arboriculture, 2021).

Hands down, our favorite nursery in Northern Colorado is Eaton Grove. The are knowledgeable, experienced, and have a fantastic selection of healthy tree and plant stock. Plus, they have peacocks and a beautiful location for their nursery! They are located just east of Eaton, CO and have been our go to for tree purchasing for years.

3. Care Considerations

Carefully researching tree species and then hand selecting the healthiest looking trees at the nursery can be so exciting. The last thing you want is for all of those hopes and hard work to be for naught because improper planting and maintenance doomed your tree from the start.

Planting: This guide from the Colorado State Forest Service gives a step by step, comprehensive overview of tree planting considerations to prepare your tree for its best start on your property (Colorado State Forest Service).

Mulching: Trees do best when properly mulched after planting. Mulching preserves water for the tree and provides nutrients to feed it as it breaks down. Mulch should be applied to the diameter of the tree crown, with a 6” gap left between the trunk of the tree and the mulch, at a depth of 3”-4”. Any mulch will do, as long as it isn’t artificially colored or treated with chemicals (International Society of Arboriculture, 2021). Your local arborist can likely deliver a load of wood chips that serve this purpose perfectly, just ensure they are from trees free of disease and pests that would impact your trees.

Watering: In the first year, new trees must be

watered at a bare minimum weekly, preferably every 3 days or so in the hotter months. In the winter, until well established, most experts in our area recommend winter watering once a month through the winter months and season. Watering should be done deeply and slowly. Most experts recommend hand watering until your tree is established so you can get a feel for how often, how slowly, and for how long to water to ensure your tree gets water down to the feeder roots where it needs it. Keep in mind that most soil in our area is either clay or sandy, depending on which part of the High Plains your property is on. These types of soil struggle to absorb water and exhibit significant run off. Unless you have done extensive soil regeneration, watering will need to be done very slowly to ensure it actually absorbs down into the soil at the root level. Check out this guide from the Colorado Tree Coalition, in conjunction with the Colorado State University Extension Office for some fantastic advice on watering your new tree (Colorado Tree Coalition).

Pruning: Early pruning in the first year to two after planting should only be to remove any small parts that did not survive transplanting well while most other structural pruning should be reserved until the tree is well established. Any early structural pruning should be completed by an experienced Arborist to avoid putting the tree at risk. Hiring a certified Arborist to assess your trees, provide proper pruning, and develop an ongoing maintenance plan will give you the guidance you need to make your property a beautiful and functional space for years to come.

 Planting trees is an investment, not only in your own property, but in your community as a whole. The health effects of a tree are well studied and supported with data and literature. What we also know, in addition to what is shown in the academic world and in textbooks, is that in the real world our urban forests are weaved deeply into our communities. They are the giants that provide shade in our parks where our kids play, the tree lined Main Street of our hometown when we make it back to visit, and the guardians of our air and soil, preventing erosion and reducing pollution. While selecting and planting a new tree can feel overwhelming, there are resources and professionals at the ready to help you be successful with this important task. It will be well worth it in the long run.

References

City of Greeley. (n.d.). Front Range Tree Reccomendation List. Retrieved from City of Greeley Forestry: https://greeleygov.com/docs/default-source/forestry/2024_front-range-tree-reco-list_final_digital.pdf

Colorado State Forest Service. (n.d.). Selecting, Planting, & Caring for Trees. Retrieved from Colorado State Forest Service: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/How_to_Properly_Plant_a_Tree_CSFS.pdf

Colorado Tree Coalition. (n.d.). Recommended Trees for the Front Range. Retrieved from Colorado Tre Coalition: https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/trees_for_frontrange.pdf

International Society of Arboriculture. (2021). Benefits of Trees. Retrieved from Trees are Good: https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Benefits%20of%20Trees_0321_1.pdf

International Society of Arboriculture. (2021). Buying High Quality Trees. Retrieved from Trees are Good: https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Buying%20High%20Quality%20Trees_0721_1.pdf

International Society of Arboriculture. (2021). Proper Mulching. Retrieved from Trees are Good: https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Proper%20Mulch%20Tech_0321.pdf