Tree and Shrub Planting Services

Planting the right tree in the right location is an important decision.  The right tree in the right spot is an investment that can add beauty and value to your property. It is important to select a tree that fits your desired goals with the lifespan and mature size of the tree in mind. We are happy to make recommendations for great trees that fit your needs. If you would like to learn more, below are a few important factors to consider when selecting a tree for your yard.

Tree Mature Size:

Most trees will be roughly similar size when they are purchased at the nursery, but the mature size of one may be vastly different from another. Your ornamental crab apple might only get twenty-five feet tall, but your Bur oak could get over one-hundred feet tall!

Speed of Growth:

Trees grow at very different rates. Once established, a bur oak will grow around one foot per year, whereas a Swedish Aspen or poplar could grow as much as six feet in a year! However, as the saying goes, trees that grow fast die fast, and trees that grow slow die slow. If you need shade or privacy quickly, a fast growing tree can be the best option. If you have space and want a beautiful tree that will age along with you for the next century, a slow growing tree such as an oak may be the best.

Site Conditions:

The planned planting location can impact what tree will grow well. Not only should the prospective location have appropriate space for your future tree, but the amount of light and exposure and the drainage and soil quality should be taken into account. Most trees desire sunny locations with good soil drainage. Some trees like Mountain Ash won’t tolerate locations with sitting water, whereas other trees like most willows thrive in wet spots.

Hardiness Zones:

Choose a tree that is cold-hardy enough to thrive in our climate. Trees that have a hardiness zone rating of 3 or less will grow well in Edmonton. Certain areas outside Edmonton are categorized as zone 2 to zone 3. The most updated maps have listed Edmonton as zoned 4a but we would still recommend plants that are zone 3 or lower, as we still can have “test winters” where we see a lot of dieback or death on zone 4 trees. See this link to learn about Edmonton climate zones on the Edmonton Horticultural society website: https://edmontonhort.com/know-your-climate-zone/.

Tree Maintenance:

All trees require some maintenance, but some trees require more maintenance than others. Some trees, such as some cultivars of crab apples, produce ornamental fruit or seeds that can be messy, while other trees such as poplars can send up suckers throughout your yard. Some of the best trees are higher maintenance, but you may not want a higher maintenance tree for a rental property, for example. Ask us about the most prominent or impending pests or disease in the Edmonton area.

Disease:

Certain trees are susceptible to diseases that are currently prevalent in Edmonton. It is important to pick a tree that is less likely to become infected by a pest or disease in the near future. A few of the most common current diseases are listed on the City of Edmonton Website. If you are planning to have us install your trees, we are happy to provide advice regarding your tree selection so you can avoid the most disease prone tree selections.

Tree Provenance:

Where your trees are grown prior to being transplanted in your yard makes a difference in how well your trees will grow. A tree grown locally in Alberta will already be used to our climate, especially our winters, and will be more likely to transplant with less stress or chance of dieback or transplant failure. Trees grown in warmer climates are often less expensive since they grow faster and sometimes even look more shapely and lush with longer new growth from each season, but these trees are more likely to suffer stress or winterkill in their first winter in Edmonton as they acclimatize to our cold winters than the exact same tree grown locally near Edmonton.