K-STATEResearch & Extension

Tree Placement in the Landscape

A program of Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardeners

K-STATEResearch & Extension

Benefits of trees

• Increased property values (13-21%)• Wind Protection• Winter Heating• Summer Cooling• Filters dust• Sound buffer• Produces oxygen• Reduces wind and water erosion of soil• Wildlife habitat

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Right Tree, Right Place, Right Way

• How to plant for long term survival– Selecting Trees according to

• Soil types

• Drought/moisture tolerance

• Height vs. utility lines

• Spread and distance from structures

• Spacing

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Average Tree Life

• Forest tree – longest potential life span• City landscape tree – 32 years (American Forests, 1989)

• Downtown trees – 7-10 years (American Forests, 1989)

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Placement of Trees

• Enframement of House

• Background

• Screening

• Accent

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Enframement

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Background

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Screening

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Accent – may use small tree to draw eye to front entry

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Enframement, Background,

Screening & Accent

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Placement of Trees

• Enframes house to make it look larger

• Background trees give house “sense of place”

• Screen poor views

• Accent features

• Soften harsh lines

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Trees for Problem Sites

Tolerant of Wet Soils• Baldcypress

• Riverbirch

• Hackberry

• Linden

• Bur Oak

• London Planetree

• Amur Maple

Tolerant of Drought• Amur & Tatarian Maple

• Winterberry Euonymus

• Hedge Maple

• Goldenraintree

• Chinese Pistache

• Chinkapin,Bur,SawtoothShingle, English Oak

K-STATEResearch & Extension

Tree Size Definitions

(Size at Maturity)

Small Trees 20’ or less

Medium Trees 20-40’

Large Trees 40’ +

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Spacing Between Trees

(Suggested minimum spacing)

Small Trees 15’

Medium Trees 30’

Large Trees 40’

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Rooting Distance

• 2 - 2 ½ times spread of dripline

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Minimum Distance from Sidewalk/Driveways

• Small trees 2’• Medium 4’• Large 6’

Roots were cut when walk was replaced. Will the tree survive?

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Utility Easements

Utility Companies have the right to:

• Remove Trees

• Prune as needed

In Easements

• Don’t Plant there

• Use small trees

• Use temporary trees

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Distance from HouseStrong branch trees

Distance from House• Small Trees – 10’

• Medium Trees – 15’

• Large Trees – 20’

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Tree Branch Strength

Weak branch trees

• Silver Maple

• Cottonwood

• Willows

• ‘Bradford’ Pear

• Siberian Elm

Strong Branches

• Bur Oak

• Honeylocust

• Sugar Maple

• Bald Cypress

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Fast Growing Temporary Trees (less than 10 years)

• Purpleleaf Plum

• Flowering Peach

• Austree

• Cottonless Cottonwood

• Willows

•

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Planting Distance from Sewer Lines

Minimum suggested distance from lines and tanks

• Small Trees - 20’

• Medium Trees - 30’

• Large Trees - 35’

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Planting Near Utility Lines

Distance from Overhead Lines

• Small Trees - OK Under Lines

• Medium – 20’ away

• Large – 30’ away

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Call Before You Dig!

Kansas One-Call

316-687-2470 or 1-800-DIG-SAFE

K-STATEResearch & Extension

pH & trees

Alkaline Soils -• Maples – Amur, Tatarian• Redbud• Hackberry• Ginkgo• Honeylocust• Lacebark Elm• Oaks – Bur, English, Chinkapin• Chinese Pistache• Goldenraintree

Acidic Soils -

• Pin Oak & Azalea

Trees with Moderate Chlorosis Potential

• Sweet Gum

• Riverbirch

• Baldcypress

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Tree Tips

Sedgwick County Extension Master Tree Gardeners

K-STATEResearch & Extension

Tips For Rapid Growing Trees

1. Plant at Proper Depth

Don’t plant too deep -

Plant at same depth or slightly higher than grown in the nursery

Root flare should be slightly below the surface

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Tips For Rapid Growing Trees

2. Retain Lower LimbsFood reserves are produced through photosynthesis of sun reachingthe leaves.

• More leaves = more growth• Always maintain

2/3 branches1/3 trunk

• Leaves shade the trunk & feed the trunk

                              

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Composts/Leaf Mulches

• May be worked into annual beds or as a surface mulch

• Increase Organic Matter Content

• Improve drainage

• Reduce root diseases

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Tips For Rapid Growing Trees

4. Water as Needed

Maintain moisture in the root zone (Root zone = twice branch spread)

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Tips For Rapid Growing Trees

5. Control Grass and Weeds

Grass (especially fescue and brome slow the growth of young trees)

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Mulching Trees

• 2-3 inches deep

• 3 ft from trunk to drip line

• Keep 3-6 inches from trunk

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Tips For Rapid Growing Trees

6. Fertilize in November –spring

Only need to fertilize

slow growing trees

(Fertilizer burn)

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Tips For Rapid Growing Trees

7. Prevent Weed Trimmer Injury

use mulches

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Tips For Rapid Growing Trees

8. Protect bark on thin bark trees in winter

White wrap is preferred – reflects light and doesn’t heat

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Tips For Rapid Growing Trees

9. Stabilize root system the first year with staking lower in the tree

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Protect Water Quality

Largest Pollutant in Rivers

• Sediment

• Other potential pollutants –– Fecal bacteria– Nitrogen– Phosphorus– Pesticides

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Protecting Water Quality• Prevent erosion

• Tree planting along water flow banks

• Unmowed grasses filter

• Don’t fertilize near water

• Apply Phosphorus according to soil test needs

• Sweep/blow fertilizers from streets & walks 

K-STATEResearch & Extension

Sedgwick County Extension Arboretum

“to educate and beautify”

A program of Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardeners

K-STATEResearch & Extension

Sedgwick County Extension Arboretum

“To educate and beautify” • 236 trees• 116 species

Trees for zone 6 heat & drought tolerant alkaline soiltatter resistant“Preferred Tree List”

from K-State-KS Forest Service

K-STATEResearch & Extension

Best in Heat/Drought (’03)

• Amur Maple

• Goldenraintree

• Chinese Pistache

• Bur Oak

• Sawtooth Oak

• Chinkapin Oak (Sawtooth Oak, winter)

• Austrian Pine

K-STATEResearch & Extension

Learn on our grounds

• Self guided tours –- All plants are labeled- Maps are inside

Extension Center

• Master Gardeners provide guided tours for groups of 5 or more

K-STATEResearch & Extension

By Bob Neier

County Extension Agent, Horticulture

Sedgwick County