Trees for Landscaping

When selecting trees for landscaping we must do so with knowledge as our companion, otherwise we may find ourselves granting a home to an undesirable cultivar or cultivars.

Certainly all trees both ornamental and shade are not created equal either by our Creator or by man in the commercial nursery.

I would not simply walk into a chain store or even a garden center and ask for suggestions as to what would be the best to plant. You never know when a company’s inventory may be long on one or two species and those are exactly the trees that probably will be recommended.

Don’t fall victim to an advertisement showing fabulous pictures of a certain tree followed by text that overstates its virtues.

For a perfect example regarding this style of promotion one only has to look at the ads touting the merits of the Blue Princess Tree.

• “Up to ten feet of growth the very first year.”
  
  
• “Beautiful blue flowers in the spring.”
  
  
• “Fantastic shade or ornamental tree.”

All three statements that have been used to sell the blue princess tree are - guess what! All three are correct.

What you are not told are the negative features of this wonder tree which are as follows:

• Flowers are messy.
  
  
• Seeds are more than messy and will germinate where ever they fall.
  
  
• Fast growing – sure - but the wood is extremely brittle.
  
  
• Hard to get rid of after you have determined that you should not have planted it. If cut off at ground level it will come back from the root collar – year – after year – after year. You will be forced to use a non selective herbicide or remove every segment of the root system.
  
  
• Don’t plant this tree in the first place to avoid an undesirable guest on your property.

Our advice is to seek council with a good horticulturist in your area or contact us by email for our suggestions. Please tell us where you live – no we don’t require your address – just inform us of your city and state and we will do our best to help.