When we plant a tree, we are giving benefits to ourselves, our community, and future generations. Benefits from trees include contributions to cleaner air and water, erosion control, wildlife habitat, energy conservation, and more. Studies have even shown that urban vegetation and trees help to improve personal health and wellness such as helping lower blood pressure, reducing stress, and promoting relaxation. 

To learn more about planting, visit https://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/

Plant native! These are plants that have existed in our area for hundreds of years prior to human settlement. Native plants require little care and maintenance, so planting natives can save you time and money. Native plants do not require fertilizers and offer great benefits such as drought, disease, and pest tolerance. Native plants also offer wildlife benefits including providing essential nutrients to our wildlife, especially pollinators, like hummingbirds and butterflies.

To learn more about native plants, visit https://indiananativeplants.org/

Knowing what to plant and where to plant it is an important decision. Understanding that a small tree, when planted, could grow into a larger tree someday is an important consideration. You must also consider how much sunlight your plant needs and when to plant it. Avoid planting trees in areas that could be problematic in the future, such as under or near a utility or against a structure. Make sure you call 811 prior to putting a shovel in the ground for even small projects.

To learn more visit http://call811.com/ or https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

While you can plant a single tree in an open space, planning an entire space dedicated to native plants can have more benefits. By choosing a collection of native trees, shrubs, and smaller plants, you are creating a more biodiverse space not only for your viewing pleasure, but to the benefit of native wildlife. Depending on the design, your space can act as a windbreak or noise barrier, place for runoff water to filter, or even garden of color throughout the seasons. This type of project takes time to build so planning is essential.

To learn more about designing with trees, visit https://www.arborday.org/perspectives/designing-landscape-trees

When is the best time to prune? Generally, the best time is late winter/early spring when the first signs of growth are seen, prior to buds developing for spring bloomers. You do not want to prune when buds are developed because you want to enjoy the blooms. It is important to understand that pruning stimulates growth, so pruning in the middle of the summer or early winter could be traumatic to a plant, starve it of nutrients, or create wounds that are difficult to heal, potentially making it vulnerable to diseases or pests.

To learn more about pruning, visit https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-506-W.pdf

Trees and limbs may need to be removed for a variety of reasons and situations. Safety and care should be taken with any project to protect people, property, and the health of the tree. Make sure you have the proper tools for the job, that the tools are in good condition, that you are knowledgeable on the tools and abide by all safety guidelines and regulations. A professional Arborist can be a valuable resource regarding tree health and tree maintenance considerations, including removal.

To find an Arborist, visit https://www.isa-arbor.com/