Adding trees to your home can have numerous benefits for you and the environment. Trees not only help you relax, unwind, and invoke calmness back into your life, but they also offer many environmental benefits. They absorb carbon dioxide, provide oxygen, reduce air pollution, and provide habitat for wildlife. However, it’s not as simple as choosing the variety you like and planting it. There’s much more to think about when making a decision like this, and understanding your tree’s and your home’s needs is crucial. By being proactive and responsible in your decision, you can make the perfect choice.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors you need to consider when adding trees to your garden.

Climate and Soil

Before selecting advanced trees, it’s crucial to understand the unique climate and soil of your local area. This knowledge will empower you to choose a tree that will not just survive, but thrive in these conditions. For instance, trees like the Jacaranda and Japanese Maple are well-suited to the Australian heat. Other trees may require a more temperate climate and specific soil types. This understanding will ensure you select trees that will flourish, not struggle, in your garden. 

If you’re choosing trees for the ground, not smaller trees for pots, then you need to understand the type of soil so you can pick trees that will thrive, not struggle to survive.

Size and Space

Understanding the potential size and space requirements of the trees you’re considering is a key responsibility. This knowledge will allow the trees to grow without constraints, adapting naturally to their environment. Smaller gardens may benefit from potted trees, while larger open spaces can accommodate more expansive varieties like the Moreton Bay fig. This proactive approach will help you avoid potential issues with roots impacting your property, ensuring your trees can thrive without causing damage.

While there is no hard and fast rule or law for how close you can plant trees to a property, it’s important to leave copious amounts of space to avoid roots causing issues for things like garden buildings, your home foundation, or pools, for example. Large trees should be placed around 70 feet from the property, while smaller trees can be placed closer.

Shape

Trees aren’t uniform, and different varieties will grow in different shapes. This means you need to understand the look and shape of fully grown trees so you can understand what you can expect once the tree reaches full maturity. Do you want a tall, imposing tree that is majestic, or do you want a tree that stays close to the ground and has drooping branches like the weeping willow or the weeping cherry tree? 

The shape of the tree can dictate placement and requirements, such as more frequent pruning or blocking neighbours’ sunlight, meaning it needs to be moved from specific areas.

Diseases And Pests

Does the tree attract specific pests, or is it prone to certain diseases? Understanding the health and pest implications of your chosen tree variety can enlighten you as to what you might expect once it starts growing in relation to care and maintenance. The last thing you want is for your tree to struggle to grow or survive, which costs you a lot to maintain and keep it healthy. So, while these might not be huge factors, they are still something to be aware of down the line.  

Aesthetics

Your tree’s aesthetics and visual appeal need to be something you think about carefully and deliberately. We already touched upon the shape and style, but the look of your tree and its aesthetics, especially in relation to the style of your garden, is important. Look at the type of foliage you can expect on the tree, sensory elements like fragrance and touch, and seasonal changes, i.e., is it evergreen or deciduous, and does it flower or not? All these artists can impact your enjoyment of a tree, and knowing what to expect each year will help you choose the right variety for your home. 

Choosing the right tree for your garden is about so much more than picking a tree you like the look of. While this needs to play a part in your decision, it shouldn’t be the only decision. Look at all the different factors involved in caring for and growing healthy trees to ensure you find the perfect choice for your home and your needs.