We all have heard of the benefits of planting trees, but what if the tree we just planted ruined our lawn instead? It sounds frustrating, but it’s possible. Trees are not the same, and some are meant to be in other places that are not your lawn.
Luckily, tree care providers are available in Utah County and in other locations. Some of their services include professional stump grinding, tree cutting, and of course, tree planting.
It’s sad to part ways with a tree that you cared for, but if it’s obviously at the wrong place, it would be better off replaced.
For a small backyard, here are the better trees to plant:
1. Crepe Myrtle
If the tree in your lawn is not growing right, it’s possible that your soil has something to do with it. Crepe Myrtle is a low-maintenance tree that can grow many flowers even in poor soil. It’s also known at the “lilac of the South” and it comes in a variety of colors. It can grow from being a shrub up to a 30-feet tree. Be sure to plant this where sunlight can directly reach it.
Caring for this tree is hassle-free, requiring only 30 to 60 minutes of pruning each year, as well as frequent watering. During winter, the bark “exfoliates” to contrast the weather. This tree is also tolerant of high-pH soils, like those in Utah.
2. Witch Hazel
Soils in Utah can be pretty alkaline, which means some trees won’t grow well on it. Witch hazel is a small tree or a large shrub that is tough, adaptable, and suits an acidic and moist soil. You’ve probably heard of the astringents that this tree has helped produce, so consider a bonus benefit. Its flowers are fragrant and they come in three colors: yellow, orange, and red (also known as winter bloom).
Note that they don’t grow well in clay soil, so make sure yours isn’t clay. Taking care of this tree is also easy, requiring only regular watering, and you can prune it into any shape you desire. Plant them in places that receive partial to full sunlight.
3. Japanese Maple
Another popular, low-maintenance tree on this list, Japanese Maple is known to be a good landscape accent. It has many varieties with bold and bright colors during the fall. It’s best to plant it on partially shaded locations and acidic soil. In alkaline soil, its leaves may grow light green or yellow, so it’s best to cultivate your soil first to lower its pH levels. Regular watering and minimal pruning are all it takes to maintain this beautiful little tree.
Soil Care Tips
A soil pH level below 7 is considered acidic, and those over 7 are called alkaline. Low rainfall makes the soil alkaline, and plants and trees are affected because this type of soil has fewer nutrients than acidic ones. However, soil pH can actually be changed.
To make your soil more acidic so that more trees can thrive on it, frequent irrigation and application of organic mulches are needed. Blend elemental sulfur, iron sulfate, and acid sphagnum peat into your soil. You’d be able to see the changes in a couple of days to a few weeks. When moss grows from the acid sphagnum, the changed pH level would last only a few years and they’d climb back up again. To maximize caring for your soil, contact tree care services providers because they have expertise in this matter and they’ll look out everything for you.
Planting and maintaining trees aren’t easy. It requires extensive research and discipline to be able to grow the trees properly and keep them healthy. When you make it a habit, you’d start getting more inspired to study about more trees and know where to plant them best. These seemingly small changes can bring a lot of positive differences in the environment.
