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April
29
29
Grow Your Green Space: Tree Planting Advice for Homeowners
We are blessed in Illinois with abundant trees. Trees benefit all earth's creatures, providing habitat for birds and other animals and shade to cool from the sun's rays. They also filter water, clean the air, and slow flooding and storm surges.Â
Many Rockford homes for sale have plentiful trees, but if not, no problem. A scantily-treed landscape allows you to plant your landscape to the best advantage, with the right-size trees in the right places. Read on to learn what our real estate agents have to say about planting trees at your Rockford home.
- Choose the most advantageous site for your trees.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a site for a tree. Avoid planting it where the roots will damage a sewer line, a sidewalk, or other structures. Avoid planting the tree where the canopy will grow over a roof line or into utility lines. You don't want it to shade out other plants. Avoid planting trees that shed or have abundant leaves that will fall and can create a mess on a deck or in a swimming pool. Plant smaller trees closer to the house and taller trees farther away. Here's a general rule for sizing and situating trees: Plant trees 30 feet or less, at least 10 feet from your home's foundation and utility lines. Plant trees that are 30-70 feet tall, at least 15 feet from foundations and lines; plant 70-foot trees 20 feet from these structures. - Select the right trees for our region.
You may love palm trees, but you probably can guess they won't flourish in our region. Select trees that do well in our warm, humid summers and cold winters. Test your soil or have a nursery professional do it and get help choosing the right trees for your soil conditions. Think about space constraints and exposure to sun, wind, and human activity. Consider potential drainage problems. Choose trees less susceptible to insects and diseases found in our region. - Plant the tree at the right time.
It's usually recommended to plant a tree after the last thaw in the spring until early June or wait until after mid-September. Doing so provides an optimal environment for root growth without the stress of extreme heat or cold. This gives the tree the best chance for successful establishment and growth. - Dig the right size hole.
This is of optimum importance. Dig a hole at least two to three times bigger than the root ball. After positioning the tree so it faces the direction you want, backfill the hole with dirt. The root ball should be level with the surrounding ground. Current wisdom is to avoid filling the hole with compost or fertilizer. Wait until next spring to fertilize. - Use tree stakes if necessary.
Some trees want to tip or grow to the side. Install tree stakes to help them stand up straighter or prevent wind from bending them over. Drive the stake through and under the root ball. Lash it loosely to the trunk so it can flex in the wind.Â
Planting a tree is an investment in the outdoor living space of your Rockford-area home. If you have questions about real estate, contact us today.Â