What Trees Should I Put in My Yard in Boise, ID?

Have you ever heard of Arbor Day, and if so, have you ever planted a tree for the holiday? And, did you know that 40% of the state of Idaho is made up of national forests? According to IdahoForests.org, 89.6% of the forest land in Idaho in 1630 is still forest today. That’s right, we live in a state that recognizes the importance of preserving trees and nature, and Arbor Day is a day that celebrates this important natural resource. Arbor Day is on April 28th, exactly a month from today. In honor of the upcoming holiday, today, we will be discussing four things you should consider when making decisions regarding what trees to plant on your property. We encourage everyone to consider planting a tree for Arbor Day this year, and right now is a great time to start thinking about what tree to plant, whether you choose to do so on your own property or elsewhere. Trees add to a different dynamic to your landscape design and can provide shade and add to your property value. Here’s what to keep in mind: 


  1. Debris: different types of trees drop different types of debris. Carefully consider whether the specific species of tree you are considering drops debris that you’re not willing to deal with. Additionally, some trees come in male and female plants; female plants may produce more fruit, while male plants may produce more pollen, so be aware that you may face different challenges with debris even within the same species. Oftentimes, debris is a seasonal issue, but there is a wide range of debris that comes with different types of trees, so just make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before planting a tree on your property. 


  1. Canopy: if the main reason you want a tree is to provide shade for your yard, keep in mind which direction shadows will fall during the time of day you want to increase shade, and consider what the canopy of the species of tree will look like. The canopy is the surface of leaves and branches that block the sky when looking up. The amount of coverage a canopy will provide depends largely on what kind of leaves that type of tree has, and will give you either dense, light, or dappled shade, any one of which is wonderful for different purposes. Knowing how much shade and what kind of shade you want can play a role in deciding which trees to include in the softscape of your property. 


  1. Height: this is something you must be aware of! Most of us don’t pay too much attention to what’s going on so high above our heads, but are there power lines or other trees that your new tree will grow to come in contact with? Try to envision the space that your tree will take up as it grows to its full height, and how the tree’s profile will affect the view. Shady trees tend to have a trunk with most obstruction up top, while an evergreen tends to have branches from top to bottom, so if you have a view you don’t want to lose, consider whether the profile of the tree you are choosing will affect that. The way that the tree interacts with your property is an important element to keep in mind. 


  1. Width: much like height, different trees grow to take up different widths. A common offender is the evergreen, where they grow to become an overwhelming element on the property. Different species have a different average size, so make sure to do your research before planting a tree to avoid his issue. Some homeowners make the mistake of seeing a beautiful plant at the nursery and plant it too close to fences, their home, or other structures, and suffer the consequences later through constant pruning or having to remove a perfectly good tree. 


At Bella Vista Landscape, we love helping our clients make the best decisions for their property from design to implementation through our landscaping services. Whether you choose to plant a tree for Arbor Day this year or not, we hope that this information proves useful to you as you consider adding a tree to your property. We eagerly serve our friends and neighbors in Boise, Nampa, Meridian, ID, and all surrounding areas. Fill out our online contact form or give us a call at (208) 995-3532 for more information today!

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