Or you may find your entire yard plunged in deep shade and your lawn turned into a dirt patch because the tree grew much larger and more dense than you expected. Don't assume you can plant the same tree as your neighbor a block away, advises Leo Kelly of Kellygreen Design Inc., president of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association. Conditions in your yard may be quite different. And make sure you choose a tree that is hardy enough for your climate. Once you have considered your site, says Jerie, ask yourself what you want the tree to do.
Some trees create much more litter than others.
Once you have a list of criteria, you can browse books and catalogs or take your list to a good nursery. Those scrawny little plants in the nursery are deceiving. Measure out the full-grown spread in your garden with a tape measure to make sure the tree won't end up blocking your windows or gobbling your yard. Consider dwarf varieties that will grow to the right size and stop. Fill it with water.