“What’s a good tree?” I am often asked. “It depends,” I usually answer. “What are your requirements?”
Folks don’t often know they have requirements, but a few questions can reveal much. Do you want the tree to live? Then you will want to choose one that is adapted to your growing conditions, which may include features such as poor or saturated soil, much or no sun, icemelter blowing or flowing in, or — an interesting one — “people pressure.” People pressure comes on public sites where folks might hang on young branches, or park their vehicles over root systems.
Tree requirements
Other requirements might have to do with function in the landscape. Do you want to block a view, or wind? Do you want to shade the southern or western exposure of a structure for comfort and energy savings? Hold a slope?
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What about appearance? That’s the first thing people typically consider, but appearance means nothing unless the tree lives and thrives. Please do start with those growing conditions, which will guide you to a handful of species that will work for you.
For appearance, you might place a tree in the landscape in a way that — in time — visually anchors or frames a home or structure. You can probably think of trees in your life that do this, or in some iconic landscape where someone did this centuries ago. Flowers, leaf color, sentimental favorite? First identify species that will thrive in your growing conditions, know what you want the tree to do, and you can then narrow your options based on ornament or sentiment.
Climate change
All it takes is a look at the Purdue Climate Change Research Center’s work on how climate change will affect Indiana to get an unbiased reality check as to how climate is changing, and is expected to change, here in Indiana (see ag.purdue.edu/climate/).
Models vary somewhat, but they generally predict a future for southern Indiana that includes more rain in spring and fall, higher rainfall during storm events, drier summers, and more summer days with uncomfortably high temperatures. Scientists with the U.S. Forest Service have been working on what this means for our trees, in production and in the built environment. The roughly 17 species that I recommend for Columbus-area streets will go under this lens soon, as some of those species will be considered to be “resilient” under most climate-change scenarios, and some will not. Stay tuned, and know that a changing climate is now a factor if you want your tree to live long and prosper.
For those who want to learn more, or who want to know how best to select and care for trees, public and private, there will be two opportunities in the New Year. Indiana Community Tree Stewards will offer training Feb. 7 and 8 in Scottsburg. The cost is a reimbursable $35, and the reward is a chance to get current on tree selection and care for community trees, and to share that by volunteering in your community. To register, or for more information, go online at surveymonkey.com/r/TSScottsburg2019.
Columbus Tree Canopy Partners will also be considering ways for Columbus to qualify as a Tree City USA, and to regain the environmental services of a healthy tree canopy in light of recent losses. If you want to help, contact me at the email address below.
Changing conditions and vital research continue to change best practices for trees. Please consider how the trees in your care — home, business, church, nonprofit — can bless future generations.
Kris Medic has been Purdue Extension Bartholomew County’s educator for agriculture, natural resources and community development since 2013. She is returning to writing and private practice in semi-retirement, and can be reached at [email protected].
