Tree Placement in the Landscape A program of Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardeners K-STATE Research & 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 K-STATE Research & Extension

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 K-STATE Research & Extension

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) K-STATE Research & Extension

Placement of Trees Enframement of House Background Screening Accent K-STATE Research & Extension

Enframement K-STATE Research & Extension

Background K-STATE Research & Extension

Screening K-STATE Research & Extension

Accent – may use small tree to draw eye to front entry K-STATE Research & Extension

Enframement, Background, Screening & Accent K-STATE Research & Extension

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 K-STATE Research & Extension

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,Sawtooth Shingle, English Oak K-STATE Research & Extension

Tree Size Definitions Small Trees 20’ or less Medium Trees 20-40’ (Size at Maturity) Small Trees 20’ or less Medium Trees 20-40’ Large Trees 40’ + K-STATE Research & Extension

Spacing Between Trees Small Trees 15’ Medium Trees 30’ Large Trees 40’ (Suggested minimum spacing) Small Trees 15’ Medium Trees 30’ Large Trees 40’ K-STATE Research & Extension

Rooting Distance 2 - 2 ½ times spread of dripline K-STATE Research & Extension

Minimum Distance from Sidewalk/Driveways Small trees 2’ Medium 4’ Large 6’ Roots were cut when walk was replaced. Will the tree survive? K-STATE Research & Extension

Utility Companies have the right to: 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 K-STATE Research & Extension

Distance from House Strong branch trees Small Trees – 10’ Medium Trees – 15’ Large Trees – 20’ K-STATE Research & Extension

Tree Branch Strength Weak branch trees Silver Maple Cottonwood Willows ‘Bradford’ Pear Siberian Elm Strong Branches Bur Oak Honeylocust Sugar Maple Bald Cypress K-STATE Research & Extension

Fast Growing Temporary Trees (less than 10 years) Purpleleaf Plum Flowering Peach Austree Cottonless Cottonwood Willows K-STATE Research & Extension

Planting Distance from Sewer Lines Minimum suggested distance from lines and tanks Small Trees - 20’ Medium Trees - 30’ Large Trees - 35’ K-STATE Research & Extension

Planting Near Utility Lines Distance from Overhead Lines Small Trees - OK Under Lines Medium – 20’ away Large – 30’ away K-STATE Research & Extension

Call Before You Dig! Kansas One-Call 316-687-2470 or 1-800-DIG-SAFE K-STATE Research & Extension

pH & trees Acidic Soils - Pin Oak & Azalea Trees with Moderate Chlorosis Potential Sweet Gum Riverbirch Baldcypress Alkaline Soils - Maples – Amur, Tatarian Redbud Hackberry Ginkgo Honeylocust Lacebark Elm Oaks – Bur, English, Chinkapin Chinese Pistache Goldenraintree K-STATE Research & Extension

Sedgwick County Extension Master Tree Gardeners Tree Tips Sedgwick County Extension Master Tree Gardeners K-STATE Research & 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 K-STATE Research & Extension

Tips For Rapid Growing Trees                                2. Retain Lower Limbs Food reserves are produced through photosynthesis of sun reaching the leaves. More leaves = more growth Always maintain 2/3 branches 1/3 trunk Leaves shade the trunk & feed the trunk K-STATE Research & Extension

Composts/Leaf Mulches May be worked into annual beds or as a surface mulch Increase Organic Matter Content Improve drainage Reduce root diseases K-STATE Research & Extension

Tips For Rapid Growing Trees 4. Water as Needed Maintain moisture in the root zone (Root zone = twice branch spread) K-STATE Research & Extension

Tips For Rapid Growing Trees 5. Control Grass and Weeds Grass (especially fescue and brome slow the growth of young trees) K-STATE Research & Extension

Mulching Trees 2-3 inches deep 3 ft from trunk to drip line Keep 3-6 inches from trunk K-STATE Research & Extension

Tips For Rapid Growing Trees 6. Fertilize in November –spring Only need to fertilize slow growing trees (Fertilizer burn) K-STATE Research & Extension

Tips For Rapid Growing Trees 7. Prevent Weed Trimmer Injury use mulches K-STATE Research & Extension

Tips For Rapid Growing Trees 8. Protect bark on thin bark trees in winter White wrap is preferred – reflects light and doesn’t heat K-STATE Research & Extension

Tips For Rapid Growing Trees 9. Stabilize root system the first year with staking lower in the tree K-STATE Research & Extension

Protect Water Quality Largest Pollutant in Rivers Sediment Other potential pollutants – Fecal bacteria Nitrogen Phosphorus Pesticides K-STATE Research & Extension

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-STATE Research & Extension

Sedgwick County Extension Arboretum “to educate and beautify” A program of Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardeners K-STATE Research & Extension

Sedgwick County Extension Arboretum “To educate and beautify” 236 trees 116 species Trees for zone 6 heat & drought tolerant alkaline soil tatter resistant “Preferred Tree List” from K-State-KS Forest Service K-STATE Research & Extension

Best in Heat/Drought (’03) Amur Maple Goldenraintree Chinese Pistache Bur Oak Sawtooth Oak Chinkapin Oak (Sawtooth Oak, winter) Austrian Pine K-STATE Research & 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-STATE Research & Extension

County Extension Agent, Horticulture By Bob Neier County Extension Agent, Horticulture Sedgwick County K-STATE Research & Extension