What are Your Tree Planting Goals?
When you a buy a tree to have planted in your yard what are the motivations for making that purchase? Are you looking for a “statement tree” right out of the box? Are you looking for a tree that future generations can hang a tree swing in? Are you trying to create shade on the south side of your house or patio?
Being on both the removal and planting side of the tree equation affords Heartwood arborists lots of time to think about the long-term motivations for planting trees. Personally, my favorite planting is one that will shade a structure or driveway. Not only is the tree capturing pollution and carbon dioxide but it’s also reducing your cooling demands while protecting human bark from skin cancer.
Arborists Make Great Tree Planting Decisions
Arborists are uniquely positioned to plant trees because all we do is care for trees. Landscape professionals are often the ones planting the trees but they are usually not the ones caring for the trees over the long-run.
We get to see how a decision made 20 years ago impacts the landscape in the present day.
We can also see how improper planting techniques lead to underperforming or dead trees before their natural life has run its course.
Finally, we know which trees require the most care over time, and which trees are essentially carefree - or as carefree as possible (think money savings here).
Why Don’t Arborists Plant More Trees?
Have I convinced you yet that arborists should be planting your trees yet? One reason you are not convinced yet is because most arborists DON’T PLANT TREES! I have many thoughts on why, but it really comes down to the perception of profitability and the logistics of procuring trees and planting them. I’m not going to get into the intricacies of this argument. You just need to contact local tree care companies and take a survey for yourself. Less than half really plant trees is my guess. The ones that do plant very few for their special clients.
Heartwood is breaking this mold each year more and more. In the past couple of years our planting program has flourished thanks to people seeing the value in planting trees. Not really for themselves, but more of the future generations.