S. BURLINGTON − Trees are among the hardest working plants in the landscape. Even the smallest yard can accommodate at least one or two of these botanical powerhouses.
Adding a tree will provide habitat and shelter for many animals and beneficial insects. Birds will build nests in the branches and eat the berries, squirrels will tuck the seeds away for winter and a whole host of insects will be attracted by the nectar of its flowers.
Photo by Amy Simone
Meanwhile, below ground, the tree’s roots expand out and down and may capture toxic heavy metals and sediment, preventing them from entering storm water systems. Strategically placed trees can combat soil erosion and minimize water run-off.
During photosynthesis, a tree binds carbon dioxide into sugar, releasing oxygen and storing the carbon in its wood. The tree’s leaves filter out air pollutants, thereby reducing smog, acid rain and cooling greenhouse gas-related temperatures.
Trees are a natural awning, creating a cool, shady area for people to escape the summer heat. The addition of fruit or nut trees will also provide delicious food.
Despite all their attributes, however, the purchase of a tree can seem intimidating. Keep in mind the value of the investment of time and labor by the grower, especially as the caliper (diameter of tree trunk) size increases.
The good news is that younger, smaller trees are less expensive as well as more resilient to transplant stress. Once established, they will grow quickly.
Regarding growth, another concern is their future size. Thankfully, there are options for varieties that do not get very large. Tree-form paniculata hydrangeas, dwarf crabapples and laceleaf Japanese maples are examples of trees with mature heights of less than 12 feet.
If you are looking for a tree to make a big impact but not exceed 20 feet in height, there are several options. Flowering dogwoods, serviceberries and some magnolia varieties, as well as full-sized crabapples and Japanese maples are excellent choices in this range.
With the capacity to accommodate a larger tree, limitations of the light and soil conditions in a yard should match the needs of the trees. Honey locusts provide filtered shade to patios and an oak tree supplies an entire neighborhood of wild creatures with food and shelter. Willow trees will happily absorb excess water from a low area in a yard.
photo by Amy Simone
Fruit trees are fun to add to a landscape, offering fragrant spring flowers followed by a bounty of fruit, giving you plenty to share with the animals. There are apricot, peach, pear, plum, cherry and apple varieties with mature heights of less than 20 feet. Look for resistant cultivars to the most common diseases affecting each species. Likewise, walnut, chestnut and hazelnut trees are both beautiful and productive.
Beyond the deciduous (leaf-shedding) trees, is an entire realm of evergreen varieties. Evergreens are invaluable as shelter and food for animals, as well as for privacy and wind protection people and homes. Again, there are options with mature heights of six to more than 60 feet, as well as a plethora of forms, habits, hues of green and needle types.
Once trees are incorporated into a landscape, follow appropriate steps to plant and care for them. They will repay with benefits that last more than a lifetime.
For information on tree planting and care, visit vtcommunityforestry.org/tree-care.
Amy Simone
Amy Simone is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from South Burlington.
