Radford forestry official recommends how to choose the right tree or shrub
Photo courtesy of David Horton
Spring arrived very early this year in the New River Valley. Many trees and shrubs leafed out and flowered in response to the unseasonably warm temperatures during March and the first part of April.
The trees greened so quickly that the whole landscape seemed to have fast-forwarded to May.
Even with this surge of almost summer-like weather, frosts and freezes could easily happen during the next few weeks if the weather changes to more typical spring conditions. And with this in mind, and with spring so fully in swing, the time is right or will soon be really good for planting trees and shrubs.
Make sure you plant the right tree or shrub for where you wish to plant something.
Consider the height that the tree will grow. This is especially important if the place you have chosen is near or under a power line. Choose a shrub or a small-growing tree such as Flowering Dogwood, or Eastern Redbud. Both are lovely shrubs or small trees with beautiful spring flowers.
Also it is important to find out if there are underground utility lines where you plan to plant your tree.
Other considerations for choosing the right tree include canopy spread, and the form or shape of the tree. It’s also good to decide whether you would want a deciduous or evergreen tree, and if that’s the right tree for that part of your yard or not.
The Arbor Day Foundation also advises that you think about the tree’s rate of growth, or how long it will take for the tree to reach its full height. Species that grow slower tend to live longer than fast-growing trees.
Another factor is the hardiness zone, or the temperature extremes. Radford is in hardiness zone 7.
Trees can increase the value of your property, and can even save you money, by helping keep your house cool in summer. Other trees can serve as windbreaks that can help lower heating costs. But if you choose to plant trees that are not right for the location, then you may have to spend time and money pruning them or removing them because they are growing into power lines or their roots are damaging sidewalks.
The Arbor Day Foundation has excellent info at their website at http://www.arborday.org/trees/righttreeandplace/index.cfm.
Earth day is Sunday, April 22, and Arbor Day is Friday, April 27. Celebrations are taking place throughout the New River Valley. For more information on Celebrations in Radford, please visit http://radfordgoesgreen.blogspot.com/.
– Written by Clyde Kessler, vice-chairman, and submitted by David Horton, chairman, of Radford’s Beautification and Municipal Forestry Commission
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