It’s essential to consider the tree’s full size when determining the placement of the tree. Correct placement is critical when planting for energy efficiency in the home and also for low maintenance as the tree grows. A good rule of thumb is to plant at least 20 to 40 feet from the house depending on the type of tree. You want the tree to spread into the space naturally without excessive maintenance and pruning as the tree matures. For energy efficiency, location is important for advantages year round. You want shade and screening during the summer, but you don’t want to block warming affects during the winter. So it’s good to avoid planting near the house on Southern exposures, especially evergreens.

Tree selection is also an important factor to consider. For example, decidous trees provide advantages year round by providing shade in the summer and then losing their leaves so as not to block warming effects during the winter. Evergreens can be more effective as wind and noise barriers. Certain trees thrive better and certain soils and some thrive better in direct sunlight versus shade. Another thing to consider is where the tree is sourced. We use a local nursery for sourcing our trees that we have used for many years due to their methods of growing trees. The trees are raised and pruned for best survivability and growth using methods that many other nurseries do not implement.

Many tree services don’t plant trees the correct way. The most common mistake made by other tree services is planting trees too deep and covering up the root flare. If improper depth is used and the root flare is not exposed, the tree will become unstable as it grows leading to the death of the tree. It’s also important to distinguish between container grown trees and trees grown in root bags. Container grown trees can have dysfunctional root systems, so it’s important to shave the root system before planting. We follow a 12 step process when planting trees to ensure they grow quickly and maintain health including considerations such as choosing the appropriate location, digging the correct planting pit, providing proper drainage for the tree’s survival, pruning to prevent problems, and protecting the tree from animals and humans after the trees planted.