What Should I Consider Before Buying a Tree for my Yard?

Buying a tree for the yard requires significant preplanning as well as a vision for the future. Most tree species will outlive homeowners and possibly the home itself. Great care must be taken to ensure the long-term health of the tree and a manageable maintenance plan for future owners. Buying a tree can add as much as 15% to the overall resale value of a home, but a poorly selected location or species can cost thousands of dollars in damages.

One important question to ask yourself before buying a tree is its primary function in the yard. Are you seeking more privacy, additional shade, food, or visual appeal? Some tree species provide a combination of these factors, while others only address one factor well. Evergreens, for example, can provide additional shade and privacy, but are not fruit-bearing or aesthetically pleasing without professional pruning. Fruit trees can provide food and decorative appeal, but won't provide much privacy in the winter months. Before going to the local plant nursery for saplings, know what you want to achieve through the planting of this tree.

Another consideration when buying a tree is location. Certain parts of the yard may be sunnier than others, which is important for many hardwood species. All trees have root systems, but some species tend to spread them out horizontally while others drive them vertically below the trunk. Make sure to ask the seller about the rooting system before buying a tree. Placing a tree with wide roots too close to the home can lead to major structural damage later. Trees with vertical roots can also damage water mains and other underground conduits. If shade is a consideration, consider which side of the home receives the most direct sunlight and plant the tree there. Trees planted for privacy should not crowd each other out.

Few homeowners can afford to transplant a mature tree directly into their yards. This requires professional ground preparation, transportation and implantation. Not all mature trees can survive a transplant, either. Most homeowners intent on buying a tree will be offered young saplings at the plant nursery. These saplings must be planted very carefully and given proper fertilizers and water. Some require staking in order to encourage vertical growth. Animals are also attracted to young saplings, so owners must protect them with wire cages and other deterrents. Before buying a tree, make sure you understand your obligations as the caretaker of a young sapling.

Buying a tree is not an exercise in instant gratification. Homeowners need to develop patience as the saplings take root and begin to mature into trees. Periodically, a new tree should be examined for signs of disease or malnutrition. If an older tree must be removed in order to plant a new one, homeowners should consider the hiring of a professional tree removal service.