Looking for a way to enhance property value, save energy costs, boost mental health, and help the planet in one simple, low-cost step? Yeah, me too. Let me know if you think of something.
Seriously, though, a few well-placed trees in one’s yard typically add at least 5% to a property’s value. Having large older specimens (of trees, I mean) around the house can push that figure close to 20%. In terms of energy savings, deciduous trees on the southern and western sides of a house tend to slash cooling costs by roughly one-quarter.
Trees enrich our lives in subtle ways too. We recover from surgeries and illnesses more rapidly if there are trees in view out our window. Crime rates drop when neighborhoods are planted with trees. Plus, lying under trees might cure acne. OK, not sure on that one.
Giving genuine thought to site and species selection is critical to the long-term survival of landscape trees, and right now is an ideal time to plan for success. Any given location will be great for some trees, yet awful for others. Poor drainage, exposure to deicing salt, restricted root area, overhead wires, and shade are but a few possible constraints. Any these attributes alone can lead to the decline and eventual death of certain trees.
On the other hand, that there are species and cultivars able to mature and thrive no matter what limitations a site has. “Right tree, right place” is an arborist mantra. We have others, like “please clean the dog poop before I come look at your tree,” but I digress.
The point is that sometimes you shouldn’t plant that mountain ash, birch clump, or crabapple right where you had in mind. But another location on the property could be perfect. If you only have one available site, there are always plenty of great selections able to live long and prosper there.
One of my favorite resources on landscape tree selection is a free booklet published by Cornell University’s Urban Horticulture Institute. It’s written largely by Dr. Nina Bassuk, whose work is universally esteemed by arborists. You can get the download at http://www.hort.cornell.edu/uhi/outreach/recurbtree/pdfs/~recurbtre... (No, I’m not at all biased – why do you ask?) Also, Tree Canada has an excellent resource page at https://treecanada.ca/resources/canadian-urban-forest-compendium/8-...
Given our long winters, it’s good to have trees with off-season aesthetic interest. Here are just a few ideas:
ISA-Certified Arborist Paul Hetzler is a former Cornell Extension educator. He’s looking for new mantras.
Started by Ben T. in Woodlot Management. Last reply by Patrik Schumann on Tuesday. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Hi Everyone,I’ve been wondering what tree species are going to thrive over the next 50+ years as the climate warms in New York and I’m curious if folks are enhancing plantings of particular tree species for future commercial harvest with warmer and…Continue
Started by Carl Albers in Woodlot Management Dec 31, 2023. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Picture of a hemlock with rust colored bark. When I cut a nearby tree, also with rust colored bark, it was infested with HWA. Attached picture shows a Logrite ATV arch in use.Continue
Started by Carl Albers in Woodlot Management Dec 31, 2023. 0 Replies 0 Likes
The hemlocks in my woodlots have been infested with hemlock wooley adelgid (HWA) for at least three years now. Lately I've noticed some of them having a rust colored bark and I wonder if this is normal and that I just didn't notice it previously? …Continue
Started by Peter Smallidge in Woodlot Management Nov 28, 2023. 0 Replies 0 Likes
I had a question about control of mature white pine and hemlock to improve sunlight for enrichment planting of hardwoods. Following is my response, but I would like to know if anyone else has any experiences to share with control of these to…Continue
Started by Brett Chedzoy in Woodlot Management Aug 8, 2023. 0 Replies 1 Like
This Spring we had an opportunity to speak with writer John Litvaitis about the big picture of deer impacts on the hardwood forests of the Northeast. I posted the original story from the summer edition of Northern Woodlands to the…Continue
Started by Jeff Joseph in Woodlot Management. Last reply by Jeff Joseph May 5, 2023. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Question: In Peter Smallidge's most recent "Ask a Professional" column for NYFOA's Forest Owner magazine he stated that some log buyers will reject ash that shows outward signs of "blonding" on the bark. Is this because the wood will change…Continue
Started by Brett Chedzoy in Woodlot Management May 2, 2023. 0 Replies 0 Likes
https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/policy/042823/the-american-chestnutInteresting discussion the difference between efforts with the American Chestnut and other…Continue
Started by Brett Chedzoy in Woodlot Management Apr 20, 2023. 0 Replies 0 Likes
In early March I was invited to present on the opportunities for growing black locust as a timber cash crop at the Rural Landowner Conference in Allegany County. Ryan Trapani from the Catskill Forest Owners Association asked afterwards if I would…Continue
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