Figure A Figure B Paul James, host of HGTV's Gardening by the Yard , explains the benefits of trees and how to buy, plant and care for them.
Trees are available from many sources.
Although mail-order sources may seem convenient, they can be risky because you can't see the product, and trees sent by mail are often small. Before purchasing a tree, examine the leaves, limbs and bark for insect or disease problems such as cracks or splits. The tree's root ball should have some moisture, and the leaves shouldn't be drooping or yellowing. Pruning may help, but the basic shape of the tree will stay the same. Ask the staff whether the tree you're considering has any known problems or undesirable traits and whether improved varieties have been developed.