Fall is a great time for watching the many varieties of trees as their beautiful leaves change colors before eventually falling, but it can also be a good time for adding trees to your yard's landscaping. Planting a tree in the fall lets it become stable and healthy before having to deal with next summer's heat, but it must be planted early enough so its root system becomes entrenched before the ground freezes.
Adding a Tree to Your Home's Landscaping
Planting a tree helps the environment by providing a habitat for the various species of birds and wildlife in your area, and it can help you by providing shade for your home, which may reduce energy usage during the summer months. Deciding what type of tree to plant requires some research and consideration before heading to a nursery or garden center:
- Trees native to your area might be easier to keep healthy.
- Small trees can become very large trees; planting location helps determine the size to get.
- Evergreen trees can provide shade and privacy all year long; other trees lose their leaves in the winter.
- The type of drainage your yard has and the amount of direct sunlight available should be considered when choosing a tree variety.
- If you like fall leaf colors, choose a tree that becomes vibrant at harvest time.
Planting a tree is fairly simple but you may want to read articles by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Illinois before getting started. They offer helpful tips for keeping your tree healthy while planting, and for the many years the tree remains a part of your landscaping. You may even want to make planting a tree every fall a family tradition; your neighborhood birds and squirrels ought to be very appreciative.
Jeffrey Anderson has a Degree in English from V.M.I. and served as an officer in the Marine Corps. He worked in Residential and Commercial construction management for 25 years before retiring to write full time.
