The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Small Home Landscaping

Trees For Shade

WHEN you begin to actually place plants on the plan, you will find that trees, whether shade or flowering, seem the most difficult to locate. Except on the well-planned plot, they are rarely placed correctly for good effect. So let's look at this most important and too little understood art of landscaping with trees to make the house and grounds livable.

Trees have several functions. They shade the house and grounds in summer, temper the force of winds, attract birds and they are the main props of a landscape plan. Trees are planted first because of their importance, also because they take longer to reach a good size to give shade. This must be considered if you are spreading the cost of landscaping over several years. Buy as large a tree as you can, even if some other part must wait. By recent standards, trees increase the value of your property.

The size to which a tree will eventually grow is important in relation to the size of your property. Fast-growing, large trees are out of place on a small lot. In a few years they are pushing against the house or shading everything else out, grass included. Improperly set, they will interfere with air circulation. Fast-growing trees are usually brittle, their branches snap off in storms. True, they will give shade and effect sooner, especially if one cannot afford a large size in the better type. But all the years you must wrestle with the problems they bring as they gain size is hardly worth the early protection they give. American elm, plane tree, weeping willow, soft maple are large trees, some very fast-growing. They will reach a height of 60 to 100 feet and spread over an area just as wide.

To keep maintenance at a minimum, trees must be selected for freedom from pests. Tall trees are difficult to spray. Only the commercial tree expert has the equipment to reach their tops. Besides, spray chemicals can do a lot of damage to paint if the trees are near the house. Trees with light open shade are better than those with heavy shade. Grass grows better and they don't interfere with winter light. Lastly, the tree must be completely hardy in your section.