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lree Factors to Consider . 1 The Tree's Purpose Shade A tree's function is the purpose you want it to serve for you. Some of the most common are listed here to help make sure you get the right tree for the light place. . This is why many people plant trees, and well they should! Trees provide a gl'eater cooling effect than man-made structures because not only al'e the the rays of the sun blocked, hut water is added to the air tlwollgh transpiration. Ohservation is the best way to delernline \",here to plant to maximize shade. In the drav.ring, notice the difference between July and early autumn. Plant for where you want the shadow duling the hottest time of the year - and the time of day you desi,oe the shade. High. \>\oide-cl'O\",ned trees with deciduous leaves are the best providers of shade. Aesthetics Trees invariably add beauty to the home landscape, but with some planning this purpose can be served even bettel: One good principle is to never locate a tree where it will split YOUI'lot or a view into equal halves, Another is to use your trees to enhance the house and lot. For example, to give the lot an appearance of greater depth, plant on a diagonal line outward from the front comer'S of the house, This is called framing. Trees planted behind the house and to the side will provide background. Trees can also add visual appeal to a patio, paoloI' play area; or they can be used to separate spaces and provide space enclosul'e. Accents: A tree with color or some other showy featUl'c can be used as an accent point in your landscaping picture. Don't overdo accents. One accent plant in a given setting or "view area" is usually enough. . D N . . . o 5 10 15 20 25' . . for visual accent, select a tree that contrasts with the characteristic landscape in one or more of the design elements - fonTI, size. colol' or texture. The more contrasts, the stronger will be the accent. Form or Shape: Should contrast with the predominanl landscape character in a setting. For example, horizontal line may dominate in a rural midwestern landscape. Accent forms will be those that contrasl with that character such as shapes that emphasize the vertical. Therefore, pyramidal, columnar, or upright oval tree forms \vill tend to accent Weeping forms will also accent as they are uncommon to this characteristic landscape. Size: A tree thai stands out because of its large size will tend to accent. Color: Planting trees for their spring flower color or fall foliage colOl' is quite popular. While such color is often temporary; it is all importanl consideralion. Summer foliage color: \....hile not as intense, can lend an accent element of longer duration, Texture: Foliage texture can be classified as fine, medium 01' coarse. If a tree's te:dure is used as an accent element it should be an abrupt change from textures that pl'Cdominate in the characteristic landscape. Bark texture or piclul'esque branching struclUre can also complement an accent plant, . . . . . . If you wish to have a strong point of emphasis, select a specimen tree \.vith 2, 3, 01' even all 4 of these characteristics, . Wmdbreaks and Screens . Lo\'v.hranching conifers that hold their foliage are most effective for sCl'eening unsightly areas and providing pIiV;:ICY. Noise is best reduced by tall, densely planted trees with fleshy, bt'Oad leaves. If combined with conifel's, some noise reduction can be extended throughout the year. Dust can also be filtered by such a combination. Windb,'eaks can be made most effective through a dense, step.like arrangement of both conifers and deciduous trees, Huwevel~ for protection on south and east sides of a house, deciduous species work best because they allmv incoming solar radiation in \\-;nlcl: . . . Boundaries . Trees can help to visually delineate your property. SmalL narrow-crowned species will do the job \,~rhile not invading YOUl' neighbor's space. .