Most trees will outlive the people who planted them, and the decision to plant trees will influence future generations. Before selecting a tree, a few criteria must be considered to ensure your tree is appropriate for your geographic region: What will be the tree’s purpose? Large shade trees can provide relief from the heat of summer and, if properly placed, can lower cooling costs. Ornamental trees increase landscape beauty. Evergreens provide screens and windbreaks with dense leaves. Trees that drop their leaves during winter allow the sun to warm houses. Trees planted along streets decrease runoff, filter out pollutants and reduce pavement glare while improving the overall appearance of the neighborhood. When thinking about the tree’s purpose consider: The tree’s future size – Do you want a large or small growing tree? The tree’s ornamental features – Do you want fall color, spring blooms, evergreen or hardwood? The tree’s foliage – Do you want large leaves or finer textured leaves? The tree’s produce – Is the fruit of the tree desirable? What are the site considerations? Interference – Keep other trees, utility wires, clearance for sidewalks, patios, driveways and building foundations in mind when determining the appropriate size of your tree. Soil conditions – Understanding soil conditions before planting is important so that the soil is properly prepared before planting. Exposure – Your site’s sun exposure will determine the type of tree best suited to the amount of sun available. Wind should also be considered, as wind can create negative soil conditions for tree planting. Staking and increased watering may be necessary to combat wind’s tendency to dry out soil. Human activity – Soil compaction, underwatering, overwatering, vandalism and incorrect tree selection are the top causes of tree death – all human causes.  Drainage – Poor drainage traps oxygen in the soil and prevents it from reaching the roots of a tree, which can kill a tree.  Space constraints – Make sure that your tree will have the proper root and height allowance to reach maturity without confinement. Hardiness – Research the hardiness zone for your area and make sure your tree can withstand the geographic weather conditions of your region. Georgia falls into Zones 7 and 8 which enjoy mild winters and long growing seasons. Work with a local nursery to find appropriate trees for your area. Pest problems – All plants have pests that are particular to their species. The severity of the pest problems will depend on the geographic location of the tree. If a tree is not ideal for planting in your region, getting it to survive will be more difficult. How much maintenance are you willing to provide? Do you plan on providing maintenance yourself or hiring someone? Understand the watering, fertilizing and pruning requirements of your tree.

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