It would be nice if we could just go out, buy a tree, plant it, then relax and enjoy its shade. Unfortunately, it's not quite that easy. A variety of factors will influence the success or failure ofyour tree. A little research into the tree you are considering and the place you are planting it will pay off in the long run.

Size.You probably have a spot in mind for your tree. Take a good long look at the site. Imagine what the tree will look like once it grows. Do you have room for a tree that's 100 feet tall with a 50 ft spread? 50 ft with a 25 ft spread? Will it shade your neighbor's garden, block windows, cover your chimney, or interfere with outside lighting? Trees need space. If a tree grows too large for its space you eventually get three choices: living with problems, trimming it heavily to fit the space (often spoiling natural good looks and health), or removing it. A good choice now can avoid paying for tree removal later.

Root System. A tree with a greedy system of surface roots is a poor choice close to the house or in your lawn or garden area. The tree will compete with your lawn and plants for water and nutrients. A tree too close to your house could even cause soil shrinkage - as water is withdrawn from soil by the tree, it shrinks away from under the foundations of the house, causing cracking. This is a particular problem in clay soils - the norm in Stillwater. Trees with vigorous root systems planted too close to the house can also seek out cracked pipes, eventually clogging sewers. Some trees grow heavy surface roots that lift and crack nearby pavement - definitely not a good choice for planting near sidewalks, driveways, patio or pool area. That same tree causing problems with foundations, sewers and sidewalks may be just fine if planted near the edge of a large property.

Tree Structure. Avoid trees having weak or brittle wood or weak crotches. (For example, the Bradford Pear. Other trees with this problem are discussed on page 11.) Such trees may break easily in wind or storms, becoming hazardous to people and property. Trees with brittle wood are accidents waiting to happen in storm swept or windy areas such as Stillwater, although they are absolutely beautiful where no such threat exists.

Electric Lines. How close is the site to overhead electric lines? During storms, wind blown or ice laden trees that contact power lines are a common cause of power outages. Selection of the proper tree avoids the problem-if trees don't grow into lines, they won't have to be trimmed away. Atree too large for its site ends up being trimmed, often spoiling its looks. Actually, no tree should be planted directly under electric lines- stick with shrubs if you need greenery in that area. (See Diagram on page 9 for directions on keeping your trees away from electric lines.)

Light and Air. Sunlight is crucial to development of all plants, particularly trees. Some trees need a lot of sun; others prefer some shade. Shade loving trees are not a good bet in Stillwater- even fairly sheltered areas get a lot of hot sun here. Be sure to look at your planting site at different times of day AND different times of the year. The amount of sunlight may change from season to season and even throughout the day.

Drought Tolerance. How much water does the tree need to flourish? Will it tolerate Stillwater's frequent long dry spells? Or will you have to be spending more time than you wish bringing water to the tree?

High Maintenance? Some trees, such as Fruited Mulberry, Soapberry or Fruited Osage Orange may have extensive fruit, flower or foliage drop. This may not be a problem if planted at the back of a large property or in a natural setting. It can be an enormous difficulty if fruit and blossoms are dropping on a walkway that needs constant cleaning up.

Pest and Disease Problems. All localities have problems with particular insects or diseases. To avoid difficulties, gather information on pests or diseases common to your area and avoid tree species known to host them. Information particular to Stillwater can be found on page 22. Recurring insect pests or diseases in an area will plague some trees. Very often damage is slight. But if the results of a particular insect or disease will spoil the enjoyment of the tree (or cause you to wage eternal battle), you would be wise to plant a less troublesome one. Sometimes varieties of a particulartree have been bred for resistance, allowing you to have the tree ofyour choice without the accompanying problems of the original variety.

Diversity. What kind oftrees are in the area? No one type of tree should be planted in excess of 5% of any local population. Too many trees of the same type allow disease and insects to multiply rapidly if a favorite host is readily available. A variety oftrees adds beauty to the environment and discourages swift spread of disease or insects that might invade the vicinity.

Questions about particular trees and their structure, size at maturity, and susceptibility to pests and diseases are readily available through several sources. This guide will attempt to answer many of these questions. The Stillwater Tree Board has made a list ofTop 12 choices that successfully grow in Stillwater. The list is shown on page 12. More information can be obtained from local nurseries, books, the Internet, and directly from theTree Board at 742-8342. Information on the planting site is best collected by some observation and research on your part. Lack of planning can turn good intentions into serious problems. A little preliminary time and trouble will reward you with a healthy thriving tree that you can enjoy for many seasons.