Here’s How To Select The Best Trees For Small Gardens

Planting a tree is a big investment in the future of your landscape, so it's important to make the choice wisely. Plant and tree nurseries offer hundreds of varieties, so the task of picking one may seem daunting. Before you're able to choose the exact variety to plant, you’ll need to determine which tree species will suit your needs. The following guide will lead you step-by-step through the most important criteria to consider, helping you to select the best trees for small gardens.

Architectural style of your house

The landscaping of your garden should complement the architectural style of your home. It’s best to ensure that all these elements fit in together. The best trees for small gardens are the ones that will look good and help increase the value of your property.

Water requirements

Certain tree species are drought-resistant, while others need near-constant moisture. Irrigation can be installed in dry areas, but drainage in wet locations might be a challenge. Certain trees are better suited for low-lying areas in rainy regions, while other trees are better suited for high elevations in dry regions. Thus, it’s important to make sure that the tree you select can thrive in the conditions of the area you live in.

Tree requirements

To ensure that your trees will thrive, make sure to meet all of its requirements. It’s also best to select trees that are endemic or native to the area because it will be able to easily adapt to the climate and will be more resistant to local diseases. If you choose to plant non-native trees, you’ll need to figure out the amount of rain required for the tree to grow healthy, light conditions it needs, and any disease that may affect it.

Drainage

To see how well a tree will be able to survive in your garden, see how well the soil holds water. You’ll need to look at the kind of soil you have, its depth, the precipitation patterns in the area, water table depth, and more. Make sure the trees you choose will able to grow in these conditions. A plant or tree nursery will advise you on which trees are the best for you based on the conditions of your property.

Air pollution

Unfortunately, the ability of a plant or tree species to tolerate air pollution is becoming more important. Different locales can have different kinds and levels of pollutants in the air that can affect trees in various ways.  Thus, it’s important to find out how pollution affects these different tree species.

Similarly, salt spray from either the ocean or street de-icing can be a problem locally, and some species are more sensitive to it than others. If your area has these problems, ask an arborist, nursery professional, or urban forester about which trees to avoid.

Temperature

Many plants and tree species are located only in certain areas because of their temperature requirements. Low temperatures, especially if they come suddenly, can freeze and kill the living cells in trees not suited to colder climates. The same reaction can occur in many species that are not accustomed to high temperatures and drought conditions.

Choose species that are compatible with the temperatures in your locale. You should also factor in the elevation and differences in exposure to moisutre and sunlight.

When buying best trees for small gardens, the following suggestions will ensure that you come away with a healthy and attractive specimen that will lead a long, happy life in your garden. Don't buy plants with dead, injured, big crossed and rubbing branches, split bark, trunk damage, two competing leaders, signs of insect infestation, or dry and broken root balls. Select plants with clean leaves that don’t have dark spots, discolouration, or insect holes. If you live in a cool region and need a tree with branches that won't break under the weight of snow, tolerates acidic soil, and will work as an evergreen screen, try planting a blue spruce. Planning takes extra time up front, but saves you significant time and money in the long run.