Space
Big benefits come from big trees. The space available for growth should be large enough for the tree when it reaches maturity. Be aware that a tree’s root system can cover an area 2-3 times as wide as the crown. Some species under ideal growing conditions may fill a 300 foot circular space. Your space may be suitable for a group of trees that grow well together. Planting groves and stands of trees has advantages over planting single trees.
Conditions
Dallas is naturally divided into forest types. These forest types contain species which grow well together. Following is a description of the conditions and species present for each forest type:
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Bottomland hardwood – wet conditions adjacent to creeks, rivers, lakes, and streams, generally clay soils, with species such as cottonwood, black willow, white ash, green ash, Texas ash, red buckeye, western soapberry, and box elder. Bald cypress is not native to the area, but will do well in these conditions.
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Oak/Elm woodland– seasonally wet to moderately dry areas often bordering creeks, drainages, and low spots. Native species include cedar elm, American elm, Shumard oak, red oak, chinkapin oak, gum bumelia, hackberry/sugarberry, American holly, possumhaw holly, yaupon holly, maples, eve’s necklace (Texas sophora), persimmon, black walnut, magnolia, pecan, honey locust, rusty blackhaw, dogwood, Texas buckeye, Carolina buckthorn, hawthorn, and Mexican plum. Other species that may do well include lacebark elm, golden raintree, catalpa, and Chinese pistachio.
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Cross timber – seasonally dry and droughty, scattered groups of trees growing on hills, openings, and prairie. Soils are usually clayey, but some sandy soils are present that support post oak and associated species. Native species include bur oak, mesquite, osage orange, eastern red cedar, sumac, live oak, lacey oak (blue oak), smoketree, redbud, vitex (chaste-tree), ashe juniper, crab apple, goldenball leadtree, Texas mountain laurel (mescalbean), Mexican buckeye, and desert willow. Other species that may do well include Afghan pine, Japanese black pine, Australian or black pine, and crepe myrtle.
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Species may overlap forest types with some occurring in a wide range of conditions and soil types. Generally species growing in the bottomland hardwood and oak/elm types are more adaptive to compacted urban soil conditions, but may also require more irrigation than species occurring in the cross timber type. Be cautious of over-watering trees from the cross timber type.
Species variety will promote better tree health, help prevent insect or disease infestations, and provide visual interest to the landscape as a whole
Obstructions
Look up, down, and all around. Utility lines may be overhead or underground. Locate obstructions before you dig. Consider the mature size of the tree compared to existing sidewalks, roads, buildings, underground obstructions, signs, and surrounding vegetation. Large growing trees should be planted at a distance equal to at least half their mature height away from any building and never any closer than that to a utility line. Consider medium to large sized deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves in the winter) for the south and east or west sides of a structure. Evergreen trees that block winter winds should be planted on the north side of a structure. Small trees will complement the front of a structure and be less prone than large ones to create problems. Businesses should consider faster growing trees that tolerate pruning and can have the tree canopy raised above signs, canopies, and advertisements.
Form, shape, color, fruit, and bark
Each tree species is unique. Pick what suits your needs and landscape the best. Species information is available
from the Texas A&M Extension Services and the Texas Forest
Service, Texas Tree Planting Guide (Texas A&M).
Additional information is available at, 680 Tree Fact Sheets (University of Florida). When selecting your tree, consider fall color, flowers, fruiting habit, bark, leaf shape and color and crown shape. Picking the right tree will accentuate the space where
you locate it.
Requirements
Each species has specific requirements, tolerances, and
conditions it favors. Matching the tree species to a site where
it can thrive will reduce problems in the future. Species such
as mesquite require full sun and will suffer from over-watering,
whereas dogwood needs full to partial shade and is much more
tolerant of extra water.
The Trinity
Blacklands Urban Forestry Council (Dallas and surrounding
counties) has a Tree Selection Guide that lists these conditions
for many of the indigenous and preferred species of trees grown
in our region.
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