Home About edenarb Contracting Contact Details - Tree Basics Leaves Branches & Trunk Root Systems Health CODIT Leaves Trunk & Branches Root System Structural Care Tools Hand Power Safety Pruning Formative Small Branch Large Branch Advanced Selection Planting Identification Native UK Trees Environment Legislation Photo Gallery EDENARB Trees Miscellaneous Credits Links   Tree Selection   At first I was just going to write a guide regarding planting trees but then I realised that one of the biggest mistakes made is the planting of a tree which is totally inappropriate to the location.     Both of the owners of these two properties must look forward to storms! (and yes they are next door to each other).   If you select the correct tree for the site you can enhance the environment without causing problems in the future. To help with this you can ask yourself a few basic questions:   What grows well in your local area? Different trees are more/less tolerant to environmental conditions (climate/soil/exposed areas/etc). A species that grows well within your local area will give you confidence that it is compatible.   What size of tree can the area accommodate? Please do not be short sighted, plant trees in areas appropriate to their mature size.   What do you want from the tree? You may want it to provide colour/shade/a feature/privacy/wind break/etc.   At what size do you want to plant the tree? The tree you select will probably be available in various sizes (age), from very large specimens that will require specialist transplanting to small bare rooted transplants. Finances will need to be considered because obviously the larger the tree the more it will cost, but it worth noting that smaller transplants tend to check (go into shock) less when planted and can grow with more vigour.   When do you want to plant the tree? The old rule of thumb that I was taught was the best months to plant/transplant are those with an ‘r’ in them. You must also avoid frozen ground so therefore you are best advised to plant in either autumn or spring.   Where are you going to purchase the tree from? I have nothing against mail order or warehouse outlets but I would want to know what environment the tree has come out of and at what stage of its growth cycle it is at. Even in the UK when you travel in spring you will notice the further south you go the more advanced gardens and foliage become. This may not be a massive problem but I believe that there is less chance of check if you buy from a local nursery where the climate is matched to your own. You will also be able to get one to one advice thrown in with the deal!