Developing A Healthy, Diverse and Safe Tree Canopy

Many people lost trees in the recent violent storm. When considering whether or not to replace your trees and which tree species to select, keep the following ideas in mind:

Numerous Benefits of Planting Trees

Trees increase property values, oxygenate and cool the atmosphere by up to ten degrees and minimize runoff. (A mature tree's roots may capture up to 150 gallons of water.)

Diversity of Tree Species Matter

Planting a variety of tree species on your property will create a healthier canopy by minimizing losses if one species is especially vulnerable to a pest or disease; like ash trees attacked by the emerald ash borer for example.

Combining small, medium-sized trees and, where space permits, large-sized trees, especially natives, creates ornamental interest throughout the seasons with flowers, fruits, and fall color AND provides food and shelter for a wider variety of insects and wildlife.

Tree Placement: The Right Tree in the Right Place

Healthy trees are generally long-lived so when planting, always keep cultural requirements AND mature tree size in mind. Proper tree placement is critical to avoid future problems of tree health and maintenance and their associated costs.

Avoid road rights-of-way and overhead wires. Generally 15 feet from the middle of the road is considered part of most municipalities' right of way. Trees planted too close to the road and overhead wires create hazards and often result in bizarre tree pruning.

When planting near hardscaping like driveways, walkways, patios, and home, look for trees with pyramidal habits like Carpinus caroliniana/American hornbeam, Magnolia grandiflora 'Bracken's Brown Beauty' or 'Edith Bogue'/southern magnolia, Cotinus obovatus/smoke tree and, in larger landscapes, Gleditsia triacanthos 'Shademaster'/podless thornless honeysuckle and Acer rubrum/red maple.

Planting To Protect Your Investment

Protect your investment by creating a mulched bed at the base of newly planted trees to avoid potential trunk damage from lawn equipment, make mowing easier, and improve soil quality. Consider underplanting your trees with small low growing shrubs, perennials, and ground covers to create beautiful, interesting textural additions to your landscape as your tree matures and provide habitat for beneficial insects.

For more information and tree species suggestions, email our Montgomery Master Gardener hotline: montgomerymg@psu.edu, or call 610-489-4513.

by Pam Herceg, Montgomery County Master Gardener