Trees give shape and structure to your yard. They also take in carbon and help to lessen the risk of floods. While trees have these many benefits, many homeowners tend to make mistakes that can be catastrophic. These mistakes include: 

Buying the wrong tree

You might see a tree in your neighbor’s backyard, and you admire it. As much as you would want it, you should ask yourself whether it’s right for your yard. 

Many people have bought a tree, and when it grows, they are forced to hire tree removal services to remove it as it’s too large. 

Before you plant a tree, think about how big it could get.

First, do some research and purchase a tree that is appropriate for your yard. It’s pointless to acquire a type with the potential to grow too huge if you have a small yard full of sun-loving plants, as it’ll soon shade them out.

If you have a small yard, find an ideal tree for your yard. Similarly, if you have a lot of space to play with, buy trees that won’t seem small and puny and will not get lost in the space.

Planting trees too close together

As much as you love trees, you should avoid planting them too close. This is because trees require space to mature, so avoid planting them too close together since they will compete for light, moisture, and food.

The only exception is if you have enough space to plant a small grove of slender, light-barked trees like birches for a beautiful effect, but even these should be spaced 5-10 feet apart to grow to their full potential.

Plant trees in two or three rows with staggered spacing to form a hedge, and they will quickly develop to form a beautiful barrier.

Remember that when you plant the trees too close, it will be a matter of time before you have to remove them. 

Pruning the trees improperly

Trees require regular trimming to keep their branches from getting clogged, preventing light and air from reaching the tree’s heart. 

When you don’t take good care of your trees, you can prevent them from blossoming and fruiting to be stunted and the tree having fungal problems. 

It’s best to prune deciduous trees between the fall and early spring when they have lost their leaves and are dormant. 

If you cut into their expanding branches, they will leak sap, weakening them and subject them to pests and disease.

You should prune plums and gages, ornamental and edible cherries, peaches, apricots, and nectarine trees in the summertime. This is due to their susceptibility to a fungus known as silver leaf disease, which is most active between September and May.

You should also prune evergreen trees in the summer since they are less hardy than their leaf-losing counterparts, and if pruned in the winter, they can suffer from frost scorch and dieback.

Take your time when pruning, and remember to ‘examine twice and prune once’ to prevent removing too many branches.

You can do the pruning, but if you have never done it before or aren’t confident in your skills, let an experienced professional help you. 

Being too sentimental about trees

We all have favorite trees in our yards, but there may come a time when you foolishly keep old, diseased, or dangerous trees in your yards because you love them. This is wrong because it often ends up being a disaster. 

The tree can fall on your property, animals, or even you. 

To stay safe, never retain a tree that appears dangerous, unstable, or with huge, dangerous branches protruding onto sidewalks or highways. 

The best way out is to trim it or, even better, cut it down. 

Planting the tree in the wrong place

Planting your tree in the wrong place means it won’t grow as well as you would want. It also means that you will have to remove the tree later on. You don’t want this to happen, do you?

You should give your new tree the best chance of success by planting it in the proper location. This sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people get it wrong. 

To help you out, here are some things to keep an eye out for and consider when planting your tree:

Soil type: Be mindful of the soil type in your yard, as trees have different soil requirements.

Most trees grow best in soil with a balanced pH – if you are unsure, testing the pH of the soil is quite simple, and there are several easy-to-use kits available in the market that you can go for. 

Many trees, particularly fruit trees, oaks, and beeches, thrive on alkaline, chalky soil. You should find these such as cherry and an Amelanchier and plant them there. 

Azaleas, rhododendrons, pines, acers (Japanese maples), magnolias, birch, and sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) will grow in acid soil.

Sun or shade: Most trees can endure light and shade, but unfolding leaves in others will be burnt and shriveled by the scorching sun.

Wet ground: Although soggy land can be difficult to cultivate, there are numerous plants for wet soil, including willows, alders, and poplars that you can go for. 

You should note that trees that prefer drier soil may have their roots rot under persistent dampness, and their bark may also rot, providing an entry site for pests and disease.

You should always research and find the ideal tree for your plant areas. 

Parting shot

These are some of the most common mistakes homeowners make with their trees. You should note that hiring tree services Kesington to remove a tree is much more difficult than simply avoiding planting the tree, so always take your time to research and find the right tree for the area you are looking to plant it. 

When it comes to pruning the tree, do it professionally so you don’t ruin it. It will even be better if you hire a professional to help you.