Many things determine the type of trees that can thrive in your compound. The local climate, availability of water, and land are some of the things you shouldn't ignore. When it comes to land factors, don't forget about these three essential factors:
Size of the Land
Plant a tree that will still fit your land when it is mature. Oversized trees can damage structures or even block views. For example, a willow tree may look small during planting, but it can spread 30 t0 40 feet when mature, which makes it unsuitable for a small urban yard.
When considering the size of your land versus the size of your tree, remember that trees grow both above and below the ground. For example, poplar trees have roots that spread as far as 160 to 450 feet from the base of the tree. If you don't take this root spread into consideration, then you will be endangering nearby buildings, underground utility lines, and buried septic systems. Therefore, once you have identified trees that interest you, research how wide their roots and crowns spread and chose the ones that will fit the available space.
Soil Drainage
The soil drainage also determines the kinds of trees that can thrive on your land. Some trees drown in waterlogged soils because they cannot get the nutrients and oxygen they require to grow. Too much water also promotes root rot. At the same time, some trees thrive in soils with poor drainage; examples include bald cypress, red maple, and river birch.
The good news is that drainage is something you can improve; you don't have to accept your soil's drainage the way it is. For example, if your chosen trees don't thrive in poorly drained clay soils, you can improve the soil by adding organic matter, such as mulch, to the soil.
Soil Quality
Finally, you should also consider the quality of the soil you want to use. The quality of the soil is a factor many factors including the pH, the presence of contaminants, such as oil spills, and the nutrients in the soil. If the soil quality is low, you have to consider planting trees that thrive in such harsh conditions, unless you want to improve the soil first, for example, by adding fertilizers.
Therefore, do your research well before ordering tree seedlings for your compound, especially if you have just moved to a new place. Otherwise, you might end up with the wrong plants for your land. Contact a service like Greatland Tree Service for more information.
Share15 June 2016
I love and appreciate all of the trees around my home, but I do worry about what will happen during a strong storm. Will I get rudely awakened by by a tree crashing through the roof into my bedroom? Will a tree fall and take down the power lines that my family relies on each day to live our comfortable life? This blog will show you what you need to know before you go cutting down all of the trees on your property to maintain a safe living space and advice for picking and choosing the trees that will remain.