5 guidelines for choosing the perfect place for a landscape tree

Trees give any landscape a sense of permanence, and even small trees can be a great investment in your garden. Take your time when choosing the perfect tree to plant and where to plant your landscape trees.

Use trees to soften the hard angles made by building corners and to mark the ends of foundation beds.

• Imagine a diagonal line coming out from the front corners of your house toward the front edge of your lawn.
• Somewhere along that line should be a great place for a tree.

Keep scale in mind when choosing where to place a landscape tree.

• A towering spruce will dwarf a small house, while a large house will overshadow a dainty dogwood.
• Ensure that you are choosing a landscape tree that accents your garden according to its size.

If you want to showcase a tree as a single specimen, select one that offers more than one season of beauty.

• A tree with flaking bark, pretty leaves, colourful fruits or fall foliage and a pleasing silhouette works harder in the landscape than a dazzling spring bloomer that soon fades.

Consider not only how your tree will look outdoors but also how it will be viewed from inside.

• You can use the tree to block an unattractive vista; however, don't place it where it will completely obstruct your sightline.

Keep in mind the placement of the trees to walking paths.

• Plant only tidy trees near decks, driveways, entryways and patios. You'll be spared the mess of fruits, seedpods, bark, petals or twigs.