By Jennifer Forker
Fall is a good time for planting trees and shrubs, but homeowners need to do their homework. Learn about your area’s climate and annual rainfall, the soil makeup and how well the soil drains.
A tree’s form and function counts: Is it intended as an ornamental or do you want it to grow into a shade tree?
How tall is it likely to become, and how will its growing canopy affect overhead wires and traffic lines of sight, among other things? Baby trees that seem so charming can grow larger than the houses and then dwarf the yards they were meant to enhance.
Planting guidelines vary depending on the expert, the location and the kind of tree. Linda Eremita, a staff arborist at TreePeople, a Los Angeles-area environmental nonprofit, suggests this rule: Plant trees that can grow large – 60 feet or taller – at least 10 to 15 feet from the house. Plant trees not expected to grow as tall at least 10 feet from the house.
Depending on the species, a tree planted within a few feet of a house can pose a fire hazard. Its branches may graze a home or its windows. An older, sick or soft-wood tree can crash into the home during a storm.
Underground, other dangers lurk: The root system may search out cracks in the foundation or in aging sewer pipes.
“Roots are opportunistic,” says Eremita. While they won’t break into an intact pipe, she said, a broken, seeping pipe is a different story. Tree roots thrive on the extra water and can wind their way into cracks, enlarging them.
Check with utility companies to find out where electrical, gas, water and sewer lines enter your house, and plant trees at least 6 feet away from them, says Eremita.
Also, check with your city for how near the street trees may be planted. Eremita plants trees at least 5 feet from fences, walkways and driveways. Again, she says, it depends on the type of tree.
When consulting with arborists and landscapers, learn if they are certified.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for references,” says Elliott. With a landscape designer, contractor or architect, “Ask for a portfolio.”
Cooperative extension services, often housed at state universities, have experts who can help homeowners and direct them to reliable local information. Websites also provide tree shopping and care tips.
Elliott recommends shopping at a reputable local nursery – and making sure their stock is grown in your climate zone.
Keep an eye on trees growing close to the home – keep them pruned and watch for diseases.
c. The Associated Press
By Jennifer Forker