What trees and shrubs should you choose to plant around your house? Ideally, trees should be no more than 2 times the height of your house measuring from the outside ground level. Check a plants growth rate, full height at maturity and it's width for the shade it will create.

Excellent flowering trees are the magnolias, crab apples, dogwoods and cherry trees. They grow fairly quickly, provide moderate shade, and are just beautiful in the spring.

Evergreen shrubs bordering the perimeter of tall homes with cement foundations improves it's appearance, but are not for ranch style houses as they may appear to be swallowing up the house.

Enhance your front door with an asymmetrical selection of trees and shrubs flanking each side, such as a few small conical evergreen trees on one side, and a shaped boxwood border on the other.

When planting trees make sure to dig the hole wide and deep enough to accomodate the roots, and burlap if included. Burlap can be left on the root ball as it will eventually decay, but remove any string around the base of the tree. Burlap or brown paper around the trunk of young trees will prevent injury from direct sunlight.

When is the best time to plant trees? Late fall, after the leaves are gone, or early spring before new leaves appear.

When transplanting a tree sometimes there may be a loss of roots when it is dug up, so to compensate, prune back about 1/3rd of the branches.

During the first year after planting a new tree, fertalizers should not be applied, and a slow, thorough soaking is recommended once a month in the summer as it is better for the roots. Also during summer, spray the foliage of both evergreen and deciduous trees in the evenings during hot spells whether they are newly planted or well established.

Fertalizers are most effective when applied to the ground under the trees at about half the distance from truck to the ends of the branches. Create 8 to 10 inch deep holes about 2 ft apart all around the trees and fill with fertalizer, cover with soil and water well.

Keep the soil from heaping around tree trunks as it may cause the roots to suffocate. If necessary, dig wells around the base of the tree so the air can get to the roots.

If you have any Trees & Shrub tips, please share them with us on the Community Forum.