Before planting a tree it’s a good idea to both interrogate the site, and yourself, to make sure you end up with the right plant in the right place. Work through these four questions and get closer to creating the outcome you want your new tree to provide.

Questions #1: Why the heck am I planting a tree in the first place?

Do I need shade? Wind protection? Structure in the garden? Habitat for my local feathery friends? If someone were to ask you, why are you digging that large hole in your yard and you can’t provide more explanation other than “uhhh I need a tree” then you have little to no hope of selecting the right variety that will serve as a solution to whatever problem your space may have. So get beyond simply “planting a tree” and instead grow shade, or wind protection or whatever gives you more meals and more memories outside.

Question #2: What’s important to me?

No not your spouse, kids, and beloved Huskers; but what’s important to you pertaining to tree features. Though there are hundreds of great trees out there, you may have to rank your ‘must haves’ in order to find the perfect variety that fits your needs as well as the tree’s needs for this planting zone. Things to consider are fall color, shade density, leaf structure, fruit, height, root structure, spring blooms ecological impact, etcetera, etcetera.

Question #3: Where should X mark the site?

Choosing a location for your tree is possibly the most important decision you have to make when planting (well that and deciding whether to have it expertly planted by Kinghorn Gardens or not… shameless plug). Your site selection goes hand in hand with determining what type of tree you are going to plant. Is the site full shade, full sun, or a little bit of both? Is there an aggressive slope, power lines to contend with or a driveway near by? What’s the soil and drainage situation? You need to consider the size of your mature tree and observe its potential surroundings above, below and around the dig site. Also remember to call in a locate so your new tree doesn’t lead to your new swimming pool in your basement from a severed pipe line. Call 800-331-5666 before you dig.

Question #4: What tree size and delivery method works best for my needs?

Probably not as obvious of a thing to consider as where to actually plant the tree; but trees come in a variety of shapes, sizes and maturities ready for planting. The delivery method isn’t referring to truck or trailer but rather the way the tree is packaged. New trees come packaged in three different ways. Bare root, which is just that, a bare tree with no soil attached, B&B, (balled and burlapped) trees are scooped out of the ground, roots and all and burlap is placed around the soil/root ball, and then container trees. There are pros and cons to each but the driving force behind selecting between the three is price and availability.

• Bare Root – most cost effective but must be planted in a timely manner
• B&B – heavier to handle but soil protects roots and offers more flexibility in planting and options regardless of size
• Container – one of the newer and more progressive production methods. Generally easier to handle and a well grown container tree allows you to purchase the entire root system reducing transplant concerns.

Just remember bigger isn’t always better. At Kinghorn we’ve started growing bare root trees in gravel beds and the root systems are spectacular! You can take a smaller – more economical – gravel bed grown tree, plant it, and have a really decently sized specimen in just three to five years!

These four questions are just a jumping off point and should get those botanical wheels turning to get the right plant in the right place in your space. A tree is an investment in your time outdoors. Proper thought and planning make that investment a good one.

Now if these four questions got you more confused than when we started and you feel like all this arbor talk is going over your head, reach out to our design team at hello@kinghorngardens.com and set up a consultation for tree design in your outdoor space.