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                                      ARBWORX - Taking Care of Your Trees

                                       As part of the Yellowstone Arboretum's "Healthy Trees Initiative" we've collected some vital information for the care of                                               your tree. Be sure to plant for the life of your tree. It takes a commitment on your part to practice proper selection,                                                    planting, watering and pruning. We hope the information and videos in this section will help make your tree a                                                           member of the family.

 

A healthy community forest begins with careful planning. With a little research and a simple layout, you can produce a landscape that will cool your home in summer and tame the winter winds. Your well-planned yard will contain trees that grow well in the soil and moisture of your neighborhood. Your trees will be properly placed to avoid collisions with power lines and buildings, and the aesthetics will increase your property value.

A proper landscape plan takes each tree into consideration:

1. Height. Will the tree bump into anything when it is fully grown? 

2. Canopy spread. How wide will the tree grow?

3. Is the tree deciduous or evergreen? (Will it lose its leaves in the winter?)

4. Form or shape. A columnar tree will grow in less space. Round and V-Shaped species provide the most shade. 

5. Growth rate. How long will it take for your tree to reach its full height? Slow growing species typically live longer than fast growing species.

6. Soil, sun, and moisture requirements.

7. Fruit. No one wants messy droppings on busy sidewalks.

8. Hardiness zone indicates the temperature extremes in which a tree can be expected to grow.  Check with your community's tree board or forestry department or a local county cooperative extension agent for a list of trees suitable for planting in your specific hardiness zone.