In most cases, some trees in your garden will make a good impression. Fruit trees have the added benefit of producing healthy fruits as well. Since trees will be around for a long time, make sure to get the right trees for your garden and that you plant them in the right place. Trees also means more maintenance so be prepared to put in some extra hours to keep everything in order.

Bushes and small trees are relatively easy to move, big trees are not. So it is best to put them in the right place from the beginning. Remember that most trees grow a lot over time so make sure that they have enough space to grow into.

Trees are divided into two main groups, evergreens and deciduous. Like the name implies, evergreens are green all year round. They never lose their leaves or needles. Deciduous trees on the other hand shed their leaves or needles in the autumn. Most needle trees are evergreens, but you have a few exceptions, such as larch trees. Deciduous trees tend to grow faster than evergreens. It does not really matter if you plant evergreens or deciduous, just make sure that they are suitable for your climate.

You should not select trees only on how beautiful they look. As mentioned, it is important that they are suitable for your climate but make sure that they are resilient against pests and diseases as well.

You can plant trees in spring or autumn, just make sure that the tree has time to settle in before freezing temperatures move in. Before planting a tree, make sure that there are no electric cables, gas or sewer lines at the spot you have selected. Septic fields need to be avoided as well. Also make sure that no utility lines are above the tree. Note that trees with shallow roots may damage sidewalks.

Most deciduous trees are best pruned when dormant, in late autumn or winter. Exceptions are maple, horse chestnut, birch, walnut and cherry trees which should be pruned in mid-summer. Conifers require little or no regular pruning.

Newly planted trees need to be watered but make sure not to overdo it, too much water is not good. The soil should be moist but not soggy. Young trees need plenty of water so that they can grow. Older trees generally survive without watering, unless you live in a dry place. Fertilizing is seldom necessary for trees, except for newly planted trees. If the soil is of poor quality, fertilizing may be necessary. But don’t overdo it, too much fertilizer will have the opposite effect, decreasing the health of the plant.