TREE SELECTION

Plant Material Maintenance

Why Trees?

Sequester carbon Create ecosystems Make oxygen Create shade Filter pollutants Reduce noise and

wind Protect soil from

erosion … and they are nice

to look at!

Matching the tree to the site

Which plant would make the best screen?

Arborvitae Burning Bush

Which plant is the best selection for a soil with a pH of 7.5 – 8?

Pin Oak Northern Pin Oak

Iron chlorosis on Pin Oak growing in high pH soils

Which shrub is the best selection for a shady, moist area?

Summersweet Clethra

‘Sunset’ Weigela

Trees and shrubs with variegated or colored foliage tend to lose variegation or color when grown in the shade.

Which of the two evergreens is the best one to plant in Iowa?

Scotch Pine

Black Hills Spruce

“…the Morton Arboretum does not recommend the species (Scotch Pine) for contemporary landscapes.”

Diplodia tip blight on Pine

Which species is best suited for growth in one of these…?

Red Maple (fall color)

Amelanchier (in flower)

Red Maple: very intolerant of wounding. requires acid soils. intolerant of restricted root zones.

Amelanchier: adapts to urban situations including low soil

oxygen. adapts to restricted root space.

Which of the following Magnolia species has the best chance of surviving in Cedar Rapids, IA?

Magnolia soulangeana Magnolia grandiflora

Magnolia grandidentata is commonly known as Southern Magnolia. It is hardy to zone 6; Magnolia soulangeana is hardy to zone 4.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Acclimation

The gradual process by which a given tree adapts to changes in it’s environment. Some trees acclimate to the shade by

producing larger, thinner leaves.

Microclimate

The climate specific to the actual planting site. Restricted root zones. Reflected light and

heat from buildings or paved areas.

Exposure to strong winds.

The soil conditions of the site.

Poorly drained, wet soil.

Site Analysis

A site analysis is performed before a landscape plan is designed and installed. Climate

Hardiness zone; precipitation; light; prevailing winds

Soil pH; texture; bulk density; CEC; nutrients; volume

Planting site Surrounding buildings; paved surfaces; utilities

Other plantings Existing trees/shrubs/flowering plants/turf

Tree characteristics to consider

Consider…

Hardiness Growth habit Size

Height Spread Root zone requirements

Attributes Flowers, fruit, bark, etc.

Resistance to insects and diseases Light requirements Drought resistance pH requirements Salt tolerance

Lacebark Elm bark

Honeylocust thorns

Green Ash samaras

Malus ‘Red Jewel’

The End