Green Thumb Corner

Geography is an important consideration for landscape design. There are some trees that do well in certain areas but will repeatedly fail to grow in others. Your success depends on making wise choices that work well in your part of the country.

In the Northwest, hemlocks, spruces and cedars are popular. Whether you enjoy gorgeous foliage, ample shade or evergreen needles, one or more of these tree choices will add value and enjoyment to your yard.

When you talk about New England, you talk about maple trees. They are found everywhere in this part of the country. Although they’re easy to care for, you will need to rake some leaves as they tend to make quite a mess in the fall of the year.

For those lucky enough to live in California, there are a number of species to choose from depending on which part of the state you’re in. In the southern part of California, you can choose from different types of pine, eucalyptus and oak, while in the North, you’ll find pine, fir and redwood. It’s always best to choose the tree types that grow best naturally in your area as you’ll minimize the care needed as well as the chances for diseases or insect damage.

Many homeowners like to add fruit trees to their landscape and if you’d like to as well, the same zoning considerations apply.

Citrus fruit trees such as oranges and lemons thrive in warm climates such as California and Florida while Georgia is well-known for its peaches. Apple trees do well in areas such as  Northern Idaho and Washington.

Among others, areas such as Virginia, Missouri and Washington are suitable for planting and raising cherry trees. Their tasty fruit and plentiful little flowers make a welcome addition to any home.

While trees can be a virtually maintenance-free addition to your landscape, there will be times when a bit of strategic pruning is necessary.

For any trees found close to your home or other buildings, consistent pruning will be in order to avoid potential damage. It’s also common to trim trees away from telephone and power lines too. Another consideration if you’re planting fruit trees is pruning them in order to increase or maintain fruit production.

All in all, selecting trees you enjoy that complement your landscape are well worth any effort required for maintaining them. They just continue to mature and become more beautiful as time goes on.