The backbone of your landscape.
Trees and shrubs are the largest living things you’ll plant. They define the structure of your yard, provide shade, block wind, and offer habitat for birds. Chapter 9 helps you choose the right woody plants for your space, climate, and goals.
The chapter begins with a crucial rule: consider mature size. That cute 6-foot tall sapling might become a 60-foot oak that shades out your vegetable garden. The book includes a chart of common landscape trees with their mature height, spread, growth rate, and preferred sun exposure. For small yards, look for “dwarf” or “columnar” varieties (e.g., ‘Sky Pencil’ holly or Japanese maple).
Shrubs serve three main roles: foundation plantings (against the house), privacy screens (along property lines), and accent plants (focal points). The authors recommend mixing evergreen shrubs (like boxwood or yew) for year-round structure with deciduous shrubs (like hydrangea or spirea) for seasonal flowers. Avoid the old-fashioned “meatball” pruning—let shrubs grow naturally unless you’re creating a formal hedge.
Vines are often overlooked but incredibly useful. Use them to cover an ugly fence, shade a pergola, or add color to a blank wall. The book divides vines into two categories: twining (wisteria, clematis) and clinging (ivy, climbing hydrangea). Twining vines need trellises or wires; clinging vines attach themselves to masonry or bark. Be careful with aggressive vines like English ivy and trumpet vine—they can damage wood siding and overwhelm trees.
The chapter includes a section on native plants. Native trees and shrubs are adapted to your local rainfall and soil, so they need less water and fertilizer. They also support native insects and birds. The authors provide a list of top native trees by region (e.g., red maple for the Northeast, live oak for the Southeast, palo verde for the Southwest).
Planting instructions are straightforward: dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. The root flare (where the trunk widens at the base) should be slightly above ground level. Backfill with native soil (no amendments—research shows that planting in pure compost discourages roots from spreading). Water deeply and mulch with 2–3 inches of wood chips, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Key takeaway: Trees and shrubs are long-term commitments. Choose wisely, plant correctly, and they’ll reward you for decades.
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