Arbor Day will be celebrated this year on April 26, and you might be thinking that your landscaping could benefit from more trees. But have you ever planted trees? If you do it right, they will have the best chance of flourishing at your New Hampshire home. Following are some hints from our real estate agents on how best to plant trees. 

1. Choose the right site for trees.
   Imagine how big the tree you're planting will be one day. Will it grow over the roof and cause you problems? Will the roots get into your sewer pipes? Will limbs be likely to break and damage your landscaping? It's usually best to plant smaller trees at least 10 feet from the home's foundation and phone and power lines, and larger trees (30-70 feet) at least 15 feet from foundations and lines. Plant 70-foot trees at least 20 feet away. 
   
   
2. Look into whether the tree will shed before you plant it.
   Will you be bothered by excessive leaf fall, the fall of acorns or other seeds, or some kind of tree fluff? Look into what kind of mess you'll have to clean up before you choose a tree. For instance, the native Northern Catalpa is a beautiful tree to grow but very messy. 
   
   
3. Think about where shade will fall when you plant a tree.
   A tree can shade out other plants as they grow, so think about where you want the shade to fall. Avoid shading out garden beds and other plants. 
   
   
4. Plant your tree at the right time.
   While it's generally considered best to plant trees in the fall so they can put their energy into growing roots, sometimes it's just too cold in New Hampshire for that to be a good idea. In fact, the ground can be frozen, inhibiting root growth. Spring can be a better alternative so that your tree can avoid the stress of a freeze.
   
   
5. Dig the right size hole. 
   Before you start digging, be sure to call Dig Safe! Once you've confirmed your dig site is free of utility lines, you can create a hole two to three times as wide as the root ball of the tree. Dig to the depth of the root ball. The root ball should rest on the bottom of the hole so the tree is at the same level as it was in the container. Be careful when handling the root ball; turn it to its best side so it faces the desired direction. If your tree has a burlapped root ball, remove the burlap.
   
   
6. Backfill with displaced dirt.
   When you have the tree positioned, backfill the hole with displaced dirt. It should be somewhat loose so the roots can grow into the hole and anchor the tree. You probably don't need to add compost or fertilizer. If the displaced soil is fairly good quality, that will do. Fertilize the tree the following year. 

If you're interested in finding an NH home perfect for putting down roots, we can help. Contact us today for help with Franconia homes for sale or Holderness homes for sale.