Site considerations
There are five essential requirements for tree survival:
- light
- water
- air
- nutrients
- space
Without an adequate supply of all of these, trees are unable to thrive. However different species have different requirements. Given the long-term nature of tree planting, obtaining expert advice may be a valuable investment.
Urban trees
In an urban setting, space for the fully mature tree is a primary consideration. This is not only for the trunk and branches, but also for the root system. Roots anchor the tree and extract nutrients and water from the soil. A healthy root system is key to a healthy tree.
Try it out
The difference between a small tree in the pot and a mature tree is immense, so before you plant, sit the pot in the proposed location and imagine it as the fully grown tree. It may look nice up against the wall while small, but is there room for the trunk to expand? is there room for the spreading branches? Are there overhead wires?