Do you look out on the yard and see a burning and shade less Sahara in the summer and a frozen Tundra in the winter? Other than the extremes of the seasons, it’s a characterless expanse that you’re called upon to mow every week during the warmer months. What could you possibly do to effect a positive change in such a plain and uninspiring canvas? How about planting a tree?

A tree adds character to a yard. It breaks up that mind-numbing monotony with the power to create a panorama of natural splendor. Of course, a tree can do more than that, too. When you plant a tree you plant a natural parasol – a place to enjoy the outdoors without roasting under the sun. Some trees are better equipped for this task. That’s why they call these trees shade trees.

Trees also create habitat for birds and other small creatures. They also clean carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and create oxygen.

Once you’ve made the decision to plant a tree on your property, you may discover that’s only the first step. The next step is deciding where to plant the tree and then what kind of tree to plant.

You really can’t approach these last two questions independently. What kind of tree you plant has a lot to do with where you’ll plant the tree and where you plant the tree will dictate what kinds of trees you’ll choose.

When you plant the tree, maybe the trunk is only two-inches across and it stands only seven-feet tall. A small tree, such as this, will come with its roots bound up in ball that is probably 30 inches in diameter. But, once the tree is planted, those roots will spread. The roots will generally spread significantly wider than a tree’s foliage. This means that you don’t necessarily want to plant a tree too close to a house or another structure.

You also want to make sure the tree has the right kind of sunlight and is properly hearty for your climate. You want a tree that can thrive in the kind of soil you have where it is planted.

What kind of tree you plant, also depends on what you want from the tree. Do you want shade or, maybe, a windbreak? Are you planting a tree simply for the aesthetic value?

Once you choose what kind of tree to plant, and where to plant it, the next question is properly planting the tree. Questions to consider here include determining the proper depth and width of the hole you’ll dig for the tree. You should dig the hole as deep as the ball but about two-to-three-times wider. This will provide the tree with loose soil where its roots have a head start.

Once you’ve placed the tree in the hole, positioned the tree and filled in around it, using compost near the top, you’ll want to water the tree. If necessary, you may need to tie the tree trunk to a stake to support the tree until it’s strong enough to support itself.

In time, you’ll want to consider pruning the tree. This can help to ensure that the tree grows straight. Pruning a tree will help you to shape the tree.

While homeowners often purchase and plant their own trees, it’s really better to hire a professional. A professional landscaper will ensure that the right tree is chosen to fit your goals, that the tree is properly located and planted and can help to prune the tree so it grows up as majestically as you hoped when it was a sapling.