Secret #5 How big should it be when planted?! And Why Size Matters.

A homeowner needs to be savvy when it comes to picking the right tree to plant. There are countless numbers of trees planted every year, that are sure to lead short lives, because of poor planning. When choosing a tree to plant, first consider its size at maturity. This is the absolute, most important aspect of tree planting, that 90% of homeowners do not take into consideration.

How many of you have planted what was once a beautiful, little, tiny, Xmas tree, only to find out, 10 years later, that it was actually an enormous Aleppo Pine. And how many of you thought how cute that free, tiny California Sycamore tree, from the city, would look nice in a nook under the eaves. Though, a Giant Ficus tree might be just what you want to see in your front yard, it might not be what your foundation wants growing near it.
Make sure that you plan for enough root space around a tree, that it will not interfere with your foundation, your sewer line, your water main, your gas line, or your electricity. If you have power lines, be sure not to plant a tall tree under them, or your utility company will hack huge holes in your tree's canopy. If you live in a wind tunnel you should consider planting trees with strong root structures, but keep them away from pipes and cement work.

When choosing the size of tree to plant, i.e. 15gallon or 24"Box, try to keep 3 things in mind. First, how severe is your climate? Second, how much money are you willing to risk? Third, how long are you willing to wait?

If you live in a severe climate, keep in mind that all trees need time to acclimate to their location. The younger the tree is the more resilient it is. Not only do you save money buying a smaller tree, but you also give it longer to acclimate to its new home. And God forbid, if you make a mistake and kill it, you have only risked a small amount of money on the plant. Though all of your landscapers and arborists would love to sell you the more expensive, bigger tree, it might not be the best choice for a severe climate.

The more windy it is where you live, the smaller tree you should plant. When the wind blows the canopy of a tree it stimulates the growth of reaction wood around the root crown and the growth of support roots. The younger the tree the stronger the roots will be in relation to its size and wind sail potential.

If you are on a tight budget, keep in mind that just because you spend more money on it, doesn't mean the tree will necessarily survive. If you have the tree professionally installed be sure that it comes with a guarantee.

If you really need shade fast and you don't want to wait for it, keep in mind that the bigger the tree is when you plant it, the more expensive it is, and the more difficult it is for the tree to acclimate and survive.

In summary: Before planting a tree, look up its size at maturity, in a textbook or on the internet and plant it with the appropriate amount of space for its roots and with the appropriate amount of airspace it will need above it. When picking the tree to plant, the smaller it is when you plant it the better chance it will have acclimating and surviving in its new home.