Trees & Shrubs – Differences and How to Plant Them

Trees and shrubs are a long term investment. Be sure to choose the best variety for the location you want them to grow.

Trees have their own growth habits and characteristics. Learn as much about them before you plant them, so you don’t have unwanted problems ten or twenty years later.

Don’t plant a Sycamore Tree under a telephone wire, or next to a sidewalk. Choose varieties of trees that stay small enough for those special conditions. Plant the big trees where you want a huge shade tree for the grand kids to swing in. Plant the medium size trees in most home yards where space is limited. Plant the smaller varieties in special, or confined areas.

Planting Trees and Shrubs

Do not try to control the ultimate size and shape of your trees simply by pruning. The best way to control the size and shape of your trees is by planting the varieties whose ultimate size and shape meet the specifications you need. Then let Mother Nature take care of controlling your trees for you. Just prune your trees to help correct the minor mistakes Mother Nature makes.

They provide shade from strong sunshine, barriers against wind, play structures for children, and much more: blossoms in the spring, fruit in the summer, color in the fall, and shade all year. Trees reduce pollution and are effective smog and dust fighters.

We breathe 35 pounds of oxygen each day. All of this oxygen comes from trees and other green plants. Trees serve as homes for birds, insects and other wildlife.

Many trees attract a variety of birds and insects that prey on each other, helping to balance our ecosystem. Trees are natural air conditioners. The evaporation from a single tree can produce a cooling effect equal to a ten-room size air conditioner operating twenty hours a day. Tree roots hold soil in place to prevent erosion from water and wind. Trees give us a constant supply of products: paper, syrup, adhesives, color crayons, and mulches, just to name a few.

Tree timber

Shrubs Close on the heels of trees, are shrubs. The value of shrubs is directly proportional to their longevity and attractiveness. Using long living shrubs like yews, laurels, spirea, and viburnums provide the best enhancements in the yard. With more than 500 diferent varieties of shrubs to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect ones to plant in your yard.

As with trees, shrubbery provides benefits beyond just visual appeal. Shrubs along the perimeter of the property provide a buffer against outside noise, and increase the privacy of a residence. Like trees, these plants can provide a wind block that can reduce long term damage to the home and help reduce heating bills. Along the external walls of a home, shrubs act as an additional layer of insulation for the home and can also function as a barrier against potential intruders.

General Planting Instructions

planting trees

  • Dig a Large Planting Hole.
  • Prepare the Hole and Soil.
  • Plant the Tree at the Proper Height.
  • Always remove the plant from its container.
  • Fill in the hole with your BumperCrop/Soil mix.
  • Fertilize Your New Tree with Dr. Earth Root Starter as soon as you plant it.
  • Stake your Tree – only if Necessary.
  • Water your Trees and Shrubs regularly the first year.

Keeping Plants Healthy

Keeping Plants Healthy

One of the biggest problems in trying to keep trees and shrubs healthy, and looking their best, is trying to determine what is wrong with them. Many different problems may produce very similar symptoms. Once the problem is known, the correct solution to help the plant recover, is usually pretty easy. Determining the actual problem is sometimes very difficult. Download a copy of our Diagnose Plant Problems Handout to help you do a plant checkup.