What Species of Tree Should I Plant in My Yard?

Planting a tree can add thousands of dollars to your property value, but if done improperly it can decrease the value and create a dangerous situation. Every tree that is planted in your landscape should have a purpose, such as: overall beauty, fruit, shade, privacy, and/or acting as barrier from wind. Different trees serve different goals, and here we will list the pros and cons of some of the most common trees in Calgary:

• Conifer (trees with needles): The most common conifers in Calgary are Spruce and Pine. Typically, Spruce are better at blocking out wind and sun; although, there are different sub species of both trees. If you are looking for a more aesthetic tree, Pine often do not carry as much dead wood as Spruce. Another option in the conifer family, if you are looking for something more aesthetic, is the Larch. It drops its needles every fall, letting sun into your space during the short winter days.

• Fruit/Flower Trees: The most typical species in Calgary are Flowering Crabapple, Apple and Chokecherry; although, these are not the only fruit trees that can grow in Calgary. The Crabapple tree is one of the most common. Most owners find that the tree's apples are too sour for plain consumption, but may work in pies and jams. Apple trees can be a huge asset to your landscape, as good producing apple tree can bring down your grocery bill. One Apple tree can provide apples for multiple families. Chokecherry trees are also very common in Calgary, and are a good option if you do not intend to eat from your tree. Their fruit is toxic, unless properly prepared. An honorable mention is the Lilac tree, which provides beautiful white flowers.

• Deciduous Trees: An entire blog post could be dedicated to this, but provided here will be the 3 most common trees that we see in Calgary: Columnar Aspen, Weeping Birch, and American Elm. These will demonstrate the differences to think about when designing a landscape. Columnar Aspen are best planted in a line for shade, privacy, and wind protection in the summer. They have an uncommonly upright growth for a deciduous tree. Weeping Birch, on the other hand, has a wider growth habit. It makes for a beautiful shade in the summer, but can be brittle at times. Planting near a structure is not recommended. American Elm has a distinctive "V" shape and may grow quite tall, providing shade over a vast area and offering your family a beautiful picnic spot. Honorable mentions for deciduous tree species commonly found in Calgary are Green/Mountain Ash, Poplar, and Maple.

In summary, Conifers are best for providing shade, privacy and wind protection all year round, but may not let much sun through in the winter. Deciduous trees also provide shade, privacy, and protection from the wind, but let in light during the winter when their leaves fall. Fruit/Flower trees also offer the benefits of a deciduous tree, but usually will not compare in size. Size is important to take into consideration, as one must be conscious of the growth habit of the tree to be planted. Larger trees will need to be planted further away from structures to protect foundations from roots, and to protect roofs and siding from scraping limbs. If you have any further questions on the type of tree that would best suit your landscape, do not hesitate to reach out via email at finepinetreeservices@gmail.com or via text/call at 403-813-5399.