"Tree-mendous" value! A guide to selecting the perfect tree to add value to your property.

"Tree-mendous" Value!!!

If you have ever heard that a tree can add value to your property, then you've heard it right folks, it can!
Due to the trending "buzz" in the media and various social threads lately, about the potential monitary return on an investment in landscaping, I thought I would share my expertise and the types of trees I love to recommend to my clients. After 10 years selling real estate and about the same in designing landscapes, I have a few favorites that are native to the southern Ontario region and can add a big wow factor to any property.

A few important things to consider before you put the shovel in the ground are:

1. Consider placement and mature size of every tree and shrub...they are expensive to move once established and can be a detriment to your value if careful planning is not given in the beginning.

2. Choose a tree for its unique quality and what season you wish to enjoy it most or #inspireabuyer. For example, if you are planning to sell your home in the spring, then a showy spring bloomer such as a Redbud or Serviceberry might be a good pick. If you are planning to sell in the fall or have always loved bright fall colour, then a 'Autumn Blaze' maple, or again, a vibrant orange Serviceberry might be what you're after.

3. Choose each tree carefully. Most trees sold in Ontario have been grown on a farm, moved with machinery, shipped via truck and are sold in fairly tight rows at your local garden centre or nursery. Industry professionals take great care to ensure the health of each tree, but damage can occur in transition, so it is something to look out for. When selecting your tree, look at it from all angles and choose the one that will fit best in your desired location. Look for broken branches, as these may one day be the supporting limbs of that tree. If you are having your tree delivered and planted, make sure it is a good specimen and that it gets planted straight. A crooked mature tree will frustrate you and does not usually #inspireabuyer or add value!

4. Invest in professional tree care. Hire a certified arborist to assess your new tree, prune/shape it for a healthy and beautiful future and ensure your new investment gets a good start.

Here is a list of my favorite urban/suburban trees that can add beauty and value to your property, as well as support our urban forests and help protect migratory birds and pollinators in our environment. Keep in mind that each species often has several varieties that can range significantly in size. Choose your specific tree with care and enlist the help of a professional if you are confused.

1. a & b Serviceberry - Amelanchier canadensis (sometimes know as Saskatoon Berry, Juneberry, Sugarplum, Shadbush). Is a small tree or large shrub and can have multiple stems or a single trunk. I love it because it is beautiful in the spring when covered in white blooms, yet equally beautiful in the fall when the leaves turn orange, red and gold. Throughout the winter months, the Serviceberry's tiny  fruit (red to black) provides food for birds and adds winter interest to the landscape.

2. Ginko - Ginko biloba ( also called Maidenhair tree)

A large tree that is the only species of its kind and is a 'deciduous coniferous'. Unchanged since the prehistoric era, the Ginko is a magnificent specimen to have as a boulevard tree or well placed in a large yard. Native to Ontario during the days of the dinosaur, and re-cultivated for the past 200 years in our region, the slow growing Ginko is a good option for our urban landscapes. *** choose only male trees, as female trees produce horrid smelling fruit that are not recommended for urban areas. The Ginko turns a brilliant Yellow in the fall and has interesting fa shaped leaves.

3. Pagoda Dogwood - Cornus alternifolia (also known as 'green osier' or alternate-leaved dogwood).

Is a small tree with a stately horizontal branching pattern, which is stunning in winter landscapes as it tends to catch snow like a 'Group of Seven' painting. In April and May, the Pagoda Dogwood has lovely flat cream blooms and if well pruned can be a showpiece in any landscape.

4. Red Oak - Quercus rubra (commonly known as the Northern Red Oak)

A strong and stately tree with scarlet leaves in the fall, the Red Oak is a fairly fast growing tree and can reach 20 feet in 10 years. If choosing this tree for your property, proper placement is key to ensure enjoyment and value as it matures.

5. Eastern Redbud - Cercis canadensis 

Is a small tree that can reach 20-30 ft tall and is one of the first to bloom in the spring. Showy pink blooms are a welcome refreshing burst of colour after winters harsh gloom. The flowers grow in clusters from bare stems before leaves, even on the trunk itself, so it is a perfect early spring "wow" factor for those selling their homes in early spring.

6. Sugar Maple - Acer saccharum

This large tree is a true specimen in any suitable Canadian landscape. It needs room to show off its splendour but will reward onlookers with the most incredible fall colour imaginable! Placement is the most important factor when choosing a tree like a Sugar maple and other beautiful maples are available for those yards that cannot accommodate its size. Native to eastern Canada, this tree provides beauty, value and habitat for wildlife. If you have the right location, this tree is an investment indeed and will pay you back with decades of beauty.

I hope you find this post helpful and that it inspires you to get out there and plant a "tree-mendous" specimen this spring.

If you require additional information or would like help in creating a new landscape for your property, feel free to contact me anytime by clicking the link below.