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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. Enframement
K-STATE
Research & Extension

7. Background
K-STATE
Research & Extension

8. Screening
K-STATE
Research & Extension

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

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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

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

21. 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

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

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

24. 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

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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

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

30. 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

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

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

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

34. 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

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

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

37. 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

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

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

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