Trees add a lot to any landscape but choosing the right one at the garden center or nursery makes all the difference in it’s success in the yard.
- Begin by looking for a straight center trunk with fairly symmetrical branch structure.
- Then look more closely at the trunk and primary branches for any wounds or splits that may have occurred from damage or improper pruning. These will be characterized by knotted or splitting bark around branch forks or pruned limbs.
- If possible, pull the tree out of its pot and check to be sure that the roots are not wrapped around the root ball, strangling the tree.