Plant a Tree this Fall
The weather has turned colder. Fall is in the air, and it feels great!
During the dog days of August, I have a hard time getting motivated to do much of anything outside in the garden, and it tends to suffer as a result.
This summer has been particularly rough, as I have watched many plants, shrubs, and even trees suffer due to the heat, and severe lack of rain.
But, fall is here, cooler temperatures have settled in, and a good dose of rain was also delivered by the Great Gardener in the sky! These conditions make it the best time of year to plant. Why not do yourself, your house, and wildlife all a favor by planting a tree!
Trees not only add aesthetic value, as they can add beauty throughout the change of seasons. Planted properly, trees can act as a windbreak for your house in the winter time. When planted in the right area, a tree can block out much of the cold winds that might hit your house in the winter months, thus keeping your home a little warmer when Old Man Winter is trying to blow your house down.
In the summer months, a tree planted in the right spot can also provide beneficial shade, and keep the house cooler when everything else is burning up.
Trees provide hours of entertainment, as well. Not only do little boys and girls love to climb a tree, but so do plenty of animals.
Birds find wonderful places for homes in a tree, as do other furry critters. A tree planted so that it can be visible from a picture window will offer many hours of must see viewing, as birds raise their young, squirrels scamper back and forth over branches, and cats try to find a way down after climbing much too high.
The other day, I watched from my porch as a kitten did just that. Though it took less than a minute to climb high and deep into the tree, it took about a half hour to successfully make its way down. That was better than the price of admission to the newest Disney film!
Many trees provide food for various wildlife, as well. Crabapples, cherries, nuts, and berries are the favorites of many birds and animals. Of course, bees, hummingbirds, and even some butterflies also enjoy the nectar of many spring flowering trees. The two Chaste trees by my pool provide plenty of nectar to these pollinators throughout the summer.
So, find the perfect excuse, and plant a tree this weekend. Next spring, when it breaks forth into leaf and bloom, you won’t regret it. Enjoy!