Episode 5: How to Choose the Right Tree for Your Garden

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Fall is an ideal time to consider adding trees to your garden. It also happens to be one of the best planting windows, giving roots a head start before summer heat kicks in.

I canโ€™t tell you the perfect tree for every site, but I can offer the kinds of questions and considerations that lead to better decisions, both aesthetically and horticulturally.

In this episode, I walk through the criteria I use to select and place trees in a design, and I encourage you to look beyond the usual suspects.

Weโ€™ll explore how to assess your site, lean on design principles, and think through four-season performance so that your tree supports the bigger picture of your garden for years to come.

If youโ€™re feeling unsure about where to begin, this episode will give you a solid starting place.


In this episode, I cover:

  • Why fall is a great time to purchase and plant trees
  • How to evaluate site conditions like sun, soil, and space before making a selection
  • Common tree-picking mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Why we keep seeing the same trees everywhere and how to choose something better
  • Using line, repetition, and texture to support your garden’s design
  • How to borrow from the larger landscape to create a sense of place
  • Questions to ask about what you want your tree to do and how the right tree can simplify your maintenance load

Trees and plants mentioned:

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If this episode helped you think differently about how to choose a tree, share it with someone whoโ€™s planning their next garden move.

Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.

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