Rules for Where to Plant and Avoid Problems

Where to plant a tree and large bushes are very important. We don't want a tree, when mature, to be too tall or wide for the spot we planted. The size and the shape of a tree will be a deciding factor as to which trees we choose to plant.

Check with the local nursery or better still, contact a certified arborist. She or he will be able to inform us on what size different trees will reach when mature. The biggest problem will be when a tree interferes with utility lines overhead. In addition, Do Not plant any tree where the branches will grow over and into chimneys where they may catch fire!

Nobody wants their electrical, phone, and cable lines, coming down on a cold dark windy night from broken tree branches.

Or any other time...

Other problems come about when some people forget to take into consideration the tree's root spread. This could create many problems for any underground utility lines such as water, gas, phone, and sewer lines. Realize that the roots of trees spread underground much further than the spread of branches. Roots from trees such as Oak, Willow, and Aspen Elm will have the aggressive strength to crack concrete and cause buckling. Injury and expensive repairs will occur if the wrong trees are planted in the wrong location. Once again, the best action we can take is to contact a certified arborist.

The tree above is wrong for curb-side planting. Roots from this tree will always win over sidewalks & underground utility lines.

The above is not a costly repair, it is a poor patch job and people can fall.

People can trip over the roots grown on top of the sidewalk and get hurt.

Updated Blog Post - From EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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