How to choose a tree for a private garden

The garden owner’s needs and desires

Selecting the trees is one of the most important choices in planning a garden because they grow and develop for decades and even centuries. Trees are the backbone of the garden! Investing in making the right choice of tree that has a future will save lots of heartache in the future and large expenses related to poor planning, damage to buildings and pavement or the need to uproot a planted tree that doesn’t develop as anticipated.

We first ask our customers whether they want a fruit or ornamental tree for their gardens. Lots of people want to make optimal use of their gardens and enjoy the various fruits they can pick directly from the tree once ripe. Of course, the most popular fruit trees for private gardens are citrus trees: lemon, orange, clementine and pomelo. They are followed by tropical fruit trees, such as mango, avocado and lychee, then the deciduous, like cherry, apple and plum. Despite the clear advantages to fruit trees, ornamental trees also make important contributions to private gardens. The first of these is, of course, shade. We look for shade to bring down the temperature in gardens in the hot summer months. Second is the added aesthetic value that these trees can add to the garden, be it with their flowers, fall colors, the privacy they provide or their interesting sculptural effect.

Environmental factors

Afterward, the garden’s environmental elements need to be considered:

• When you come for a consultation at the nursery, bring your garden’s measurements (in square meters) and, to the extent possible, a clear and professional sketch of the garden so that we can optimally place the trees together. Remember that trees develop over decades and can grow to heights of up to 25 meters with a diameter of 20 m. It’s important to consider how the tree will look in adulthood and to prepare based on its growth potential.
• Verify the location of plumbing (and whether the pipes are plastic or older materials), buildings, walls, paths, pavement and decks near the place of planting because when we select the tree, we need to consider the capacity for its root system to develop and its trunk to expand. There are trees with invasive roots that are not well-suited for planting near pipes, pavement, paths etc. to prevent future damage (such as Albizia, Ficus and Brachychiton species).
• Verify the location of electric cables and high power lines in the area – these can pose a real danger when planting trees. Take the tree’s adult height into account and plant it so as to prevent future hazards.
• Regional suitability – trees grow in different types of climate and soil. Every tree needs ideal conditions that are specifically suited to it to grow and thrive. Check the geographic location and height above sea level of the place of planting. We will also address the soil because Israel has many and varied types. We’ll address that point here in general and examine a tree’s suitability for saline soil, chalky soil and other types of light and sandy soil versus heavy soil that retains water for longer, sea spray, humidity (that may cause powdery mildew and Sternorrhyncha) and more.

What is its intended purpose?

Once we are familiar with the area, we’ll discuss the tree’s intended purpose:

• Is it intended to provide shade? A tree can be a natural and beautiful source of shade in a garden and shield the house and the garden to keep temperatures down. However, if you have plants in the garden that require a lot of sunlight, too much shade may harm their development, and this requires thought when planning the garden.
• Will the tree be planted near pavement? Some trees have roots or trunks that may damage nearby pavement. There are also trees whose fruits or flowers may rot and make a mess on the pavement, so it is useful to plan and prepare in advance by choosing suitable trees, knowing their characteristics.
• Another example: is a tree suitable for a patio? We recommended that you choose a tree with prominent design and aesthetic characteristics to create an impressive display on the patio. In selecting a tree for a patio, you need to be very specific in your criteria (does it make a mess, not require upkeep, grow moderately or rather the opposite?).
• A tree intended to provide privacy needs to have dense foliage and suitable characteristics and design so that it can work as a hedge or divider. By using adapted trees with the right traits and design, you can hide neighbors’ eyesores or those on the street as well as preserve privacy in the garden and at home. Correctly choosing a tree with suitable traits removes the need for a lot of maintenance over the years. A tree’s adult height also must be considered when matching it to its intended place of planting.
• When selecting a tree based on personal preference, also consider the nature of the garden. Are you trying to create a garden with an Israeli character, simulating a natural grove? Do you want to create a garden with tropical characteristics? Rockery? Are there animals in the yard? Do you want to attract animals like bees, butterflies and birds? Consider the level of maintenance of the garden: do the owners of the garden intend to take care of and maintain the garden themselves, and do they want to maintain it at a high or low level? Or will a gardener come to take care of the garden on a regular basis?
• Unique ornamental characteristics – trees of different species and varieties differ in their appearance and properties. Below are some examples to illustrate:
• Canopy shape – pyramidal, narrow, round, spreading, weeping, domed, layered or oval
• Fall colors – many trees have impressive fall colors and are a significant and impressive aesthetic element in a garden. There are also evergreen trees that never shed their leaves.
• Flowers – does the tree have significant flowering, and how does it look in terms of shape, color, size and flowering intensity, and do they fall and dirty their surroundings? Many trees have spectacular flowers that beautify a private garden for weeks and even months.
• Fruit – does the tree bear fruit, and how do they look in terms of shape, size and color? Is the fruit edible? Is it likely to rot and fall, making a mess? Is it juicy, and does it attract insects and birds?
• Tree size – in adulthood, is the tree small/medium/large? Remember that the tree you buy at a nursery is only a few years old, and it will reach completely different dimensions at maturity and with the passage of time. Think long-term when planning a garden!

Find the right tree in the catalog

After you have made decisions, we invite you to visit our website: ilan-nursery.co.il

There you can look through our catalog and search for trees that suit your garden, filtering by different search categories. Our nursery professionals will be delighted to provide you the most correct and professional advice concerning trees that suit your needs exactly. Contact Joy or the office to schedule a tour and choose the trees that suit you best. On a tour of the nursery grounds, which cover over 550 dunams, you can choose your tree straight from the soil. After the tour, we’ll professionally prepare your tree and deliver it to your home. On the tour, we’ll also explain the right manner to plant the trees you select and how to optimally care for them so that they thrive in your garden.