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A Sapling Growing Strong
Trees transform a landscape
By Sarah Sangosti
Daily Times-Call
A 7-year-old girl steps lightly on the gray pea
gravel trail, and it crunches only slightly beneath her weight. She’s
inviting fairies to come live in her forest. Although the trees were
recently planted and still small, she’s sure the fairies will be quite
happy living among the Ponderosa pine, ornamental pear trees and
butterfly bushes. The wildflowers could be the fairies’ playground, and
the birds can keep them company.
The small mounds her grandma had made in the
miniature forest are like small hills she and the fairies can explore
together. She progresses along the trail, passing birdbaths and feeders
along the way, and soon she exits the mini-forest grandma made for her
and her siblings.
The child is at Meadowlark Farm, her grandma’s home
that is situated on 10 acres outside Longmont. Robbie Dunlap named her
home Meadowlark Farm because the birds can be heard chirping from the
adjacent property.
Dunlap recently purchased this property and is
transforming it from flat Front Range pasture into prosperous land
brought to life with trees. Her land is now home to Colorado Blue
spruce, Austrian pine, cottonwood, elm, crab apple and willow trees.
Some of these have been on the property for years and project themselves
high into the sky, while others were only recently planted.
Dunlap is a descendent of a long line of tree
lovers and has lived in forests much of her life. When she decided to
move to Colorado to be closer to her three grandchildren, having trees
near her was a necessity.
“Trees are vital to our spirit. We have to protect
them, plant them and take care of them,” she said.
Dunlap isn’t alone. Many people are invigorated by
trees and understand the impact they have on the human spirit, the
economy and the environment.
The International Society of Arboriculture noted
people like trees nearby because they make life pleasant. Many people
react to trees by feeling peaceful and rested in a grove of trees.
Scott Grimes, past president of the Colorado Tree
Coalition, president-elect of the International Society of
Arboriculture/Rocky Mountain Chapter and member of the National Arbor
Day Foundation, said a variety of studies prove trees help create a
sense of well-being and relaxation. People who live near trees have much
better relations with their neighbors, as well.
He also said there is evidence that hospital
patients with views of trees from their rooms recover faster and with
fewer complications than patients without similar views.
But trees provide more than tranquility. They also
have environmental and economic advantages. Homeowners can benefit from
trees by considering their emotional, environmental and economic values
when using trees in their residential landscapes.
A landscape with properly-placed trees can
transform a bland view into one of grandeur.
"Trees can frame favorable views, screen unsightly
views, provide background for landscape plantings, soften or complement
architectural elements or create interesting patterns,” Grimes said.
Trees can also “shade patios, create habitats that attract birds,
butterflies and animals, and provide living sculptural elements to a
property.”
Besides beautifying the landscape, trees also alter
the environment by conserving water, moderating the climate and
improving air quality, the ISA noted. Water is conserved because trees
store some of it and reduce storm run-off and the chance of flooding.
Climate is controlled because trees dictate the effects of rain, sun and
wind on the landscape. Air quality is controlled because tree leaves
filter air and remove dust and other particles people may otherwise
breathe.
The environmental benefits of trees correlate with
the economic value they possess. By helping moderate the climate —
creating shade and wind breaks — trees reduce the amount of money
homeowners potentially spend on energy bills. Air conditioning costs are
less in homes surrounded by trees, and heating costs are reduced in
homes with trees providing a windbreak, the ISA noted.
Additionally, trees increase property value. Grimes
said a survey by Arbor National Mortgage Inc. discovered a house with
trees in its landscape could be 20 percent more saleable than a house
without trees in the yard. It also noted 60 percent of real estate
agents surveyed said healthy shade trees affect a potential buyer’s
first impression.
“Studies have shown that well-cared-for, mature
trees can increase property values significantly. One study indicated
that a property with a well-designed and maintained landscape
complemented by large trees could expect a sales price 4 percent to 5
percent higher than equivalent properties with ‘average’ landscaping and
by up to 15 percent higher than a property with ‘fair to poor’
landscaping,” Grimes said.
For example, he said in the metro area, a home with
a median price of $260,000 that had large trees in a well-designed,
cared-for landscape could mean an increase in sale price of up to
$39,000, or 15 percent.
It’s important for homeowners to remember that
although trees can create a sense of peace, improve the environment and
increase property value, they also require an investment of money and
time. The ISA noted a tree’s biggest cost is at the time of purchase.
They also require maintenance, which might mean hiring a professional
arborist.
When purchasing trees, Mike Hughes, owner of
Timberjax Tree Experts in Berthoud and member of the American Society of
Consulting Arborists, said the biggest thing to remember is simply
because a tree is sold at a local nursery doesn’t mean it will grow well
in and survive in Colorado. He said homeowners should talk to the
nursery professionals to decide what tree will work best.
Homeowners should also discuss their area of town
because soil conditions vary throughout the city, along with the
exposure the tree will get and what they hope to gain from the tree. The
nursery employees should help homeowners make wise investments, he said.
He also said the best trees to purchase are ones that were grown in
Colorado, as opposed to another state, because they’re already adapted
to the environment.
Ken Wicklund, city forester for the parks and
forestry division of the city of Longmont, said homeowners must take
tree location into consideration when planting. Think about how a tree
will look when it’s matured — are there power lines it might hit when
fully grown, or will it grow too close to the home’s foundation? Also
inspect the tree closely before purchasing it. Make sure the root ball
is solid, there are no trunk wounds and its trunk is a single unit, he
said.
As soon as the tree is purchased, it needs to be
planted, Hughes said. Dig the hole two-and-a-half times bigger and no
deeper than the root ball.
Wicklund said to work the soil, and add amendments
if needed so the tree will have a prosperous growing area. Wicklund said
people can call (800) 922-1987 to have their underground utilities
marked before digging begins.
Hughes said the tree will need supports for about
one year after planting to protect it from wind. Use manufactured straps
to protect the bark and a connecting material that will stretch, but
will still catch the tree in a big wind. Use wood chips, not rocks,
around the tree to help it retain moisture, he said.
Water management is important to a tree’s survival.
It’s best to install a drip watering system for landscape trees, if
possible, so the owner won’t have to spend much time keeping the soil
moist, Hughes said. Also, dig a small trench around the tree to help it
retain the moisture it receives. Watering the first year, even in
winter, is extremely important to the tree’s health. Regular watering
after it’s established is also important.
After planting and throughout its life, the tree
will require maintenance. This could include pruning or spraying, and
always watering, Hughes said.
His biggest piece of advice is for homeowners to be
realistic about the number of trees that can fit in their landscape. Lot
size is important, and a yard with too many trees for its size could
mean tree removal when they get too large.
Dunlap’s Meadowlark Farm is large enough to occupy
80 trees. The trees have room to grow and stretch to the sky. As her
grandchildren play in the mini-forest, time will fade and soon their
fairies will be a childhood memory — a memory grandma planted in their
minds through a vision of a sapling growing strong.
Sarah Sangosti can
be reached at 303-776-2244, Ext. 294, or by e-mail at
ssangosti@times-call.com
SIDEBAR INFORMATION:
These trees grow well in the Longmont Area
The following is a partial list of Mike Hughes’
most requested trees. They are the ones he thinks work the best on the
northern Front Range.
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Green ash — moderate insect
problem, good drought tolerance, moderate maintenance required,
large space needed
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Western catalpa — good drought
tolerance, undesirable messiness, low maintenance required, large
space needed
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Regal elm — moderate insect
problem, light disease problem, good drought tolerance, low
maintenance required, large space needed
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Cockspur hawthorne — excellent
drought tolerance, low maintenance required, small space needed
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Linden — light insect problem,
good drought tolerance, undesirable basal sprouts, low maintenance
required, medium space needed
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Bur oak — light insect problem,
fair drought tolerance, undesirable winter injury, low maintenance
required, large space needed
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English oak — light insect
problem, good drought tolerance, low maintenance required, medium
space needed
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Swamp white oak — light insect
problem, good drought tolerance, undesirable slow growth, low
maintenance required, medium space needed
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Fruitless pear varieties — light
insect problem, good drought tolerance, low maintenance required,
small space needed
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Serviceberry — good drought
tolerance, low maintenance required, small space needed
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Juniper — light insect problem,
low disease problems, excellent drought tolerance, undesirable
prickliness, low maintenance required, small to medium space needed
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Bristlecone pine — excellent
drought tolerance, undesirable slow growth, low maintenance
required, small space needed
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Pinion pine — moderate insect
problem, excellent drought tolerance, low maintenance required,
medium space needed
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Blue spruce — light insect
problem, good drought tolerance, low maintenance required, medium
space needed
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