With spring in the air, you’re eager to hit up the local nursery and grab some trees for your yard. Stop! Before you head out, knowing precisely how many trees your yard can comfortably accommodate is important. That’s because planting trees too closely together is a recipe for disaster.
Below, learn why the proper spacing of trees matters, then call us for tree services in Jefferson City.
Why It’s Smart To Pay Attention to Tree Spacing
Trees start small but can grow into monsters in no time. Planting trees without giving them room to spread their wings, so to speak, could cause your trees to struggle or even die. Here’s why proper tree spacing is a must.
1. A Tree’s Root Zone Can Spread Farther Than You Think
Did you know that a tree’s root system can spread up to dozens, sometimes hundreds, of feet away from its trunk? Perhaps the most famous example of this is Pando, a quaking aspen in Utah with roots stretching more than 100 acres away from its base.
Most trees won’t have a root system quite that large, but the point still stands. By planting your trees too close together, their root systems can interfere with one another. That means your trees will compete for nutrients and water. On top of that, excessive root growth can alter your soil composition.
2. The Canopy Spread Can Interfere With Other Trees
Just as a tree’s root system can grow impressively large, so too can its canopy. Your baby tree might look like little more than a twig now, but in 10 years, it could have a massive canopy with a diameter of 20 feet or more.
That growth rate may sound appealing, but imagine what will happen if you plant several trees closely together. Each tree’s canopy will shade the other, and neither will be able to get the sunlight exposure it needs. That means your trees will keep growing taller and taller in an endless quest for sunshine. This is why the proper spacing of trees matters.
3. Overgrown Trees Can Be Dangerous
As poorly spaced trees compete for sunlight, nutrients, and water, they grow spindly and weak over time. Such trees don’t only look unsightly but can also be very dangerous.
Weak trees can topple onto power lines, causing a major fire that could spread to your home and neighboring houses. And picture the damage one of those trees would do if it fell on your roof. Struggling, unstable trees can even fall on people, resulting in serious injury.
Need Guidance on the Spacing of Trees? Call Pro Tree of Knoxville
If you’re the proud owner of several new trees and need help determining the proper planting distance, give Pro Tree of Knoxville a call. We’ll give you tips on spacing your trees to ensure they live long, productive lives.
Call (865) 294-0062 to schedule service, or continue reading for guidance on understanding stress cracks in trees.