Waukesha County Home

"You see a lot of these homes built 30 or 40 years ago and the landscaping work was done without the thought that the shrubs or trees would someday be way too big for the house," Hanson said. "Eventually they grow up the sides of the house or cover the win- dows." Another option is the flowering pear. This fruitless variety of pear tree produces tall, slender trees that become drenched in white blooms each spring. "They will get bigger, like a maple," Han- son said, "but they produce a nice shape and color without any fruit to clean up." When it comes to fall color, maples tend to top people's lists, but before planting one, homeowners will want to carefully consider the tree's location. "Maple trees are nice, but they get huge so you don't want to put one right next to your house," Hanson said. You also don't want to plant maples near the home's septic system. "I would stay away from a silver maple, especially, anywhere near the house or sep- tic field," Hennessey cautioned. "The roots of silver maples will look for water so that will wreak havoc on the septic system in addition to causing foundation problems." Not to mention, they can be messy and tend to drop a lot of limbs. Instead, Hennessey suggested the Freeman maple, a sturdy hybrid that is a cross between a silver and a red maple and boasts brilliant red colors in the fall. "I would still avoid placing it near a septic system, but it's a good alternative," she said. Other runners-up include Wisconsin's native American hornbeam (Carpinus car- oliniana) in place of the popular ornamental amur maple. Also called musclewood or iron- wood, the American hornbeam's fall display includes vibrant orange and scarlet hues. Not sure what you want? Bring along some photographs to show the nursery staff or landscape design team. "Photographs of the house and the area you're looking to landscape with a tree very easily tell us what type of tree would best fit the area," Hennessey said. What's a homeowner's best bet to finding the right tree? "Asking questions is the best thing a homeowner can do to get the right tree for the yard, the space and what they want," Hennessey said. Tips for after you find the perfect tree ■ While you can plant a tree anytime between frosts, planting in the spring and fall tend to be more accommodating to the tree. "If you're planting in spring and we get lucky with some nice rains, then the tree can get established faster," Hennessey said. It's still possible to plant trees in the sum- mer, but you'll definitely want to make sure the tree is well-hydrated before you plant it, as well as after. ■ Don't plant the tree too deep. Accord- ing to Weid and publications from the UW- Extension, planting a tree too deep can com- promise the tree's roots and contribute to the decline and failure of new and estab- lished trees in the landscape. ■ Mulch around, not against, the tree trunk. Build a 4- to 5-foot diameter of mulch around the base of the tree. "Don't create a pyramid of mulch that goes up against the trunk," Hanson said. "Having mulch up against the tree trunk can invite fungus or bugs that can cause disease and rot of the bark." A better way to mulch is to build a bank or berm of mulch around, but not against the base of the trunk. "Like you're creating a little swimming pool with the mulch around the trunk," Hanson explained. "That way water can col- lect inside the mulch ring." ■ Overwatering is just as bad as too lit- tle water. How much and how often to water the tree depends on the type of tree and weather, but Hanson offers this handy tip: just feel the mulch around the tree. "If the mulch area is damp, then it's good. But if you reach your fingers into the mulch and it's bone dry, then it needs water," Han- son said. ■ Trees prefer long, slow drinks. Han- son recommended placing the hose at the base of the tree and turning on the water to just a slow trickle for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time. With the proper tree in the ground and the proper care, your tree should enhance your home'Òs landscape for years to come. MAY 2016 HOMES PLUS 3 248830001 Distributed by: ©2016 by Conley Media Waukesha County Homes Plus is published monthly by Conley Media - Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. A publication of Conley Media Sales Director: Jim Baumgart 262/513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com Editor: Dan Muckelbauer 262/513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262/513-2690 pscheel@conleynet.com Homes Plus Volume 5 ■ Number 5 ■ May 2016 Trees Continued from Page 1

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