Remember...trees have roots!

Something often overlooked when deciding what tree to plant is the fact that trees have roots!  These are vital for nutrient and water uptake as well as anchoring the tree in the ground.  The new rule of thumb that has been developed is 2 cubic feet of soil for every 1 square foot of tree canopy. 

That ratio is a little abstract, so here's a few numbers:

• A tree with a 60’ spread has an area of about 2,800 square feet. 
• You are looking at 5,600 cubic feet of soil.  Assuming a soil depth of 18” in an urban planting, that would mean a 42' circle of unobstructed space.

So what happens if you don't give it that space?  The tree will grow as large as is can in the space provided.  When the roots fill the space provided, they either find new space to move into or the tree starts to suffer from insufficient resources.  Without additional care, the tree will begin to show signs of stress which can predispose the tree to decline and other damage agents. 

To make a lasting investment in developing a landscape, we have to consider all directions that the trees will grow, even the ones that are normally hidden.