Landscape design tree placements

By employing the design principles of scale, line and balance in exemplary ways, high end landscapes in the Houston area make elegant use of trees. Well-placed trees connect the open space with the man-made architecture, yoking them together into a unified whole. At Exterior Worlds, landscape design tree placement within your Houston landscape is part science, part art. While the initial goal may be the practical consideration of creating shade, we have an opportunity with a landscape design tree project to unify the look of your property and give it long-lasting stylishness.
When you are talking about objects in the landscape that are not easily moved, such a trees, bush planting and foundation planting—research pays off. You don't want to invest a lot of time and money into them only to arrive at a displeasing outcome in a few years when the plants have matured. In general, tall trees planted at the corners of the house soften the edges and anchor it in the site. By creating the illusion of association, they can make a small house appear larger. Medium-size flowering trees, such as dogwood and crape myrtle, have a voluminous affect, perfectly suitable for a cottage-style home.

As an example of their use in an urban landscaping plan, a row of trees along a street might offer a sense of enclosure or noise barrier. At the same time, you also might want some well-placed openings that welcome viewers to enjoy the garden space from the street. We can help you achieve both goals.
Trees are also important elements in estates landscaping. They create necessary walls and boundaries by drawing lines in the expansive space. They complement your home’s architecture, such as the way narrow trees accentuate its height or a blank wall seemingly invites the placement of a tree. For traditional homes, the upright, columnar effect of species found in some oak, juniper, or cypress groups are easily handled. Spreading and weeping trees reinforce the horizontal lines of contemporary homes.

Trees can be important contributors to a landscape design for low maintenance. Colorful foliage can address year-round color needs; for instance, the fruit-bearing American holly is a good choice for southern gardens. However, beware of planting too much of the same species, because the landscape will have little to offer when these trees stop flowering. Instead, we encourage our clients to choose plants with staggered bloom cycle throughout the year.

One important aspect of your landscape design tree project is Houston tree lighting. Lighting, with the ensuing interplay of shadow, light and movement, turns trees into magical beings at dusk and dark. Also, lit trees give a property more depth and dimension. We are experts at developing the most appropriate lighting schematics while also ensuring the health of your trees.

For a successful landscape design tree project, an investment in a residential landscape designer such as Exterior Worlds is a smart use of resources. Our knowledge is invaluable when you take into account the long-term impact of trees. By determining what trees you need for balance, environmental reasons and overall visual effect, we help you assess the trees’ influence on your garden design.

Houston Tree Planting

What types of trees can you plant?
Houston is a good place to grow almost any type of tree. Our hot and humid climate makes this a good environment for a variety of species that thrive in this part of the world. The most popular species for planting tend to be household names, such as live oak, red oak, water oak, pine, magnolia, cedar, and holly. One of the best things about investing in this service is you can have it done just about anywhere in your yard. The only restrictions on tree planting is we do not want to get too close to the house where roots can damage home foundations, and we do not want to get too near larger trees where sunlight may be blocked by branches.

Is there any limit to the size trees that can you plant in people’s yards?
No. Any size tree can be installed on the property. The methods of transporting and planting of course vary according to tree size, which can be anywhere from 15 gallons to over 300 gallons. Trucks are used to bring them in, with the roots and adequate soil and moisture carefully wrapped around them to ensure their vitality during transport. Cranes and special harnesses are used to lift and lower them into the ground.

Can I do my own tree planting if I am working with saplings?
We do not recommend this. Tree planting is something that you definitely need a landscape design firm to do for you. The hardest thing for a do-it-yourselfer or an amateur to calculate is the proper soil depth for planting. Most people assume that the deeper they dig, the better the tree will grow. This actually impedes root development and also impedes the development of a strong and healthy trunk base.

How do I keep my trees healthy after planting?
Maintaining tree health takes botanical expertise and consistent care that is best handled by a professional landscaper under an annual maintenance contract. Deep root fertilization needs to be done once a year by an expert who knows how to dig around roots without damaging them. Special insect treatments need to be done for scale, bores, beetles, and other pests based upon the time of year and the species of tree being cared for.

How much does this service cost?
It depends on whether we are planting smaller trees that can be hand moved or the very large ones that require truck and crane rentals. Hand moved trees can be planted for anywhere from $300.00 to $2,000.00, and represent a good investment in the aesthetics of a home a person plans to live in for many years to come.

Renting trucks and equipment in Houston adds considerable cost to tree planting labor costs. For larger hollies, cedars, oaks, and magnolias, for example, you may be looking at anywhere from $2,000.00-$18,000.00. This type of investment is reasonable for people who have moved into a relatively new custom home on an uncharacteristically barren lot whose resale value will immediately improve with the addition of trees that make the home look much more established and organically robust.

Tree Preservation

We just bought a tree-covered lot on which to build a new home. What can Exterior Worlds tell us about tree preservation?
We always remind our clients that trees are more delicate than most people realize and, unfortunately, construction kills a lot of them. Because trees are large organisms, it takes a while for them to die. Five years or more can pass before they finally do die and by then your builder is long gone. Their chances for survival are much greater with a little TLC.

What can be done to save the trees we want during construction?
We see three main offenders when it comes to the survival of trees during construction:

• Soil compaction. The main killer of trees during and after construction is soil compaction. The most common, yet overlooked, cause of compaction is foot traffic—in fact, compaction from foot traffic is the main killer of trees on a construction site. Additional soil compaction occurs when construction vehicles drive over the root zone and when construction materials are set down on the roots. If soil is piled onto the root zone that also compacts the soil and suffocates the tree by cutting off the exchange of gases in and out of the soil.
• Root damage. Root damage usually happens when digging for foundations, swimming pools, landscaping, irrigation systems, drainage systems and landscape lighting.
• Soil contamination. Soil contamination is normally due to construction materials, such as paint, turpentine, lime, cement, or acid, leaching into the soil.

What tree preservation method can builders use during construction?
Preconstruction:
One tree-saving action is to fence off the root zone to force traffic and storage away from the trees. Trees also benefit from deep root fertilization prior to construction so that they have as much nutrition as possible during building. If you know a tree’s roots will be cut or damaged due to the construction, have the roots trimmed beforehand. This measure is much less stressful on the trees than having the roots ripped and torn. Paths and bridges made of eco-friendly materials reduce the impact of the construction. Sometimes a temporary irrigation system is installed, especially if construction is expected to go on for a year or so.

Construction:
Hand-digging for utilities, electrical, plumbing and irrigation systems goes a long way in tree preservation efforts. Compressed air can be used to blast the soil away from tree roots. It allows contractors to see the roots and run underground conduits without cutting them. During construction, root barriers can be used to prevent damage due to installing new conduits for hardscapes, such as outdoor water fountains and outdoor kitchens.

How can Exterior Worlds help us after construction?
After construction, we suggest another deep root fertilization to ensure health. We also advise that trees be inspected and treated for insect infestations. Insects can kill really quickly when Houston’s weather turns hot and the trees are stressed from construction. Aeration is another important tool in tree preservation as it promotes root growth and combats compaction.