Planting shade trees calls for foresight, planning

Shade trees lower electric bills, increase property values, and can prevent soil erosion and run off. These trees provide huge benefits, but they can’t just be placed into the ground without planning and thought.

Since many shade trees grow to 25 feet or more, they can create problems when planted near wires or the foundation of homes. “The worst thing you can do is poor planting, like planting a live oak five feet away from your house,” Nick Hoelscher, master certified nurseryman and plant yard manger of the Valley Garden Center in McAllen, said.

Planting shade trees too close to a home can cause foundation problems when the roots grow under the house. The branches of the trees can also rub against the roof, or break during a storm.

When planting, Hoelscher recommends that one imagines planting the mature tree. One should look and see if the tree, at its mature height, would hit the roof or any overhead wires.

“Trees should be planted at least 20 to 30 feet apart, unless you want a forest effect,” Hoelscher said. “If they’re closer than 20 feet apart, they start to bang up each other and they don’t have enough room to thrive.”

Before planting a tree, Aurora Salas, co-owner of Friendly Lawn Service in Edinburg, recommends calling the telephone and electric company to ensure that there are no buried lines near when you are planning on digging the hole for the plant.

Gardeners should choose whether they want a deciduous or evergreen tree. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter, which can be helpful in lowering heating bill because it allows the sun to shine on the house, Hoelscher said.

People also should decide how fast they want the tree to grow, and how much care they are willing to give the tree.

“The faster growing the tree, the weaker its wood and the easier it is that it will break in a storm,” said Noreen Mastascusa, forestry technician with the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Live oaks, for example, are extremely popular in the Valley because they provide a lot of shade, but they are not a native tree. Therefore to be able to thrive they need regular watering and care, Mastascusa said.

They also provide so much shade that they kill the grass planted below them, Hoelscher said.

“Grass has a hard time competing with the shade,” Hoelscher said.

Native trees need less care and watering than non-native plants. Both Hoelscher and Mastascusa recommend using them.

“Native trees have been here for millions of years, they belong here and do well here,” Hoelscher said. “You’ll have fewer problems with the native plants.”

BENEFITS OF HAVING A MATURE SHADE TREE

• Reduced heating and cooling costs. Energy costs could be reduced by 25 percent.

• Drops the temperature under their canopies by up to 10 degrees.

• Reduce heat reflected from paved areas.

• Attract and sustains wildlife.

• Converts carbon dioxide to oxygen.

• Prevents soil erosion.

• Increase property values.

• Provide leaves for the compost bin. Source: www.Lowes.com