Trees not only add beauty and value to landscapes, but they also bring environmental advantages. Trees reduce energy usage, catch stormwater runoff, intercept air pollutants and help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide emissions.
Proper tree planting is essential to its success, with one of the most frequent mistakes being planting too deeply or too high.
Location
An essential step to successful tree planting is selecting an ideal location. Considerations must be given to how it will influence other aspects of your landscape and any expected shape and size changes that might result over time.
As part of your planning, it is essential to assess how it will affect your home, power lines and other structures on the property. Trees planted near power lines pose an increased risk of damaging them if they fall, thus speeding up power restoration efforts by keeping trees away. If needed you may want to hire tree trimming services in Orlando if your tree is overgrown.
As well as selecting an area suitable to their species, it’s also key to select an ideal site where plants can flourish and flourish. Florida’s tropical climate makes the state ideal for growing palm trees; however, cold-hardy varieties will need to be planted as Florida experiences freezing winter temperatures. You can add interest and color with flowering shrubs or colorful foliage plants such as crotons or azaleas.
Soil
Trees add structure and character to landscapes while increasing property values. But homeowners must carefully consider both above- and below-ground growth when selecting their ideal species of tree to plant. Height and spread may impact nearby roads, buildings, utilities or gardens while dropping berries such as rowan berries or maple leaves can create slippery surfaces for people walking underneath them.
An informed Floridian will select plants native to Florida that have adapted well to its conditions, taking account of soil type. Sandy soil is conducive for evergreens such as bearberry and holly as well as flowering shrubs like azalea, elm, and hydrangea; hardy perennials like daisies and daylilies thrive here when treated with extra nutrients such as compost.
To accurately determine your soil type, you can conduct a simple test. Clay soils can be easily identified if when pinching small bits between your fingers they stay together and don’t shift over time – these would qualify as clay soil.
Water
Consideration must be given to how water consumption and tree growth will impact surrounding areas. Tree species that produce large berries could make pavements slippery; those spreading quickly could provide shade for nearby gardens or roads; thick-rooted trees could even impact buildings or driveways, leading to foundation issues and driveway collapse. It may also be wise to select plants with dense foliage which conserve water; reduce noise pollution levels; block unwanted views from sunlight or reduce pollution levels, or prevent erosion on slopes.
Florida’s unique climate necessitates irrigation systems with precise delivery systems capable of efficiently transporting water throughout a landscape. To determine the most suitable system for an upcoming tree planting site, conduct a simple soil test to ascertain whether there is clay- or sandy-rich, well-drained soil on site; in cases with clay soil, drip irrigation would likely work best; with sandy soil types preferring sprinkler or sprayer systems instead.
Pruning
A healthy garden requires an array of plants, from trees and shrubs with varied heights and shapes to colorful foliage plants like crotons or azaleas that add visual interest and pops of color into your landscape.
Utilizing native trees, flowers and plants as part of Orlando landscaping practices that benefit both the environment and require less maintenance is another trend that benefits both. It can help draw in beneficial wildlife such as birds and butterflies while simultaneously saving on maintenance costs.
Planting palm trees in Orlando landscapes is an increasingly popular trend, but selecting cold-hardy varieties of this tree species is essential to its success. If your choice cannot withstand Orlando’s winter temperatures, it could die or not reach its full potential. Speak to a local arborist about choosing suitable palms for your Orlando garden before planting during fall or winter to allow enough time for them to establish before warmer weather sets in.