In urban sites the topsoil often has been disturbed and frequently is shallow, compacted and subject to drought. Under these conditions, trees are continuously under stress. For species that are not able to handle these types of conditions, proper maintenance designed to reduce stress is necessary to ensure adequate growth and survival. Many garden centers will, for a minor charge, arrange to have soil samples taken from your yard. The amount of sunlight available will affect tree and shrub species selection for a particular location.
Most woody plants require full sunlight for proper growth and flower bloom.
Some do well in light shade, but few tree species perform well in dense shade. Exposure to wind is also a consideration. Wind can dry out soils, causing drought conditions, cause damage to branches and leaves during storms, and actually uproot newly planted trees that haven't had an opportunity to establish root systems. Special maintenance, such as staking, or more frequent watering, may be needed to establish young trees on windy sites. This aspect of tree selection is often overlooked.