Fall is an ideal time to consider adding trees to your garden. It also happens to be one of the best planting windows, giving roots a head start before summer heat kicks in.

I can’t tell you the perfect tree for every site, but I can offer the kinds of questions and considerations that lead to better decisions, both aesthetically and horticulturally.

In this episode, I walk through the criteria I use to select and place trees in a design, and I encourage you to look beyond the usual suspects.

We’ll explore how to assess your site, lean on design principles, and think through four-season performance so that your tree supports the bigger picture of your garden for years to come.

If you’re feeling unsure about where to begin, this episode will give you a solid starting place.

What You'll Learn

• Why fall is a great time to purchase and plant trees
• How to evaluate site conditions like sun, soil, and space before making a selection
• Common tree-picking mistakes and how to avoid them
• Why we keep seeing the same trees everywhere and how to choose something better
• Using line, repetition, and texture to support your garden's design
• How to borrow from the larger landscape to create a sense of place
• Questions to ask about what you want your tree to do and how the right tree can simplify your maintenance load

• Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)
• Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica)
• Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas)
• Japanese Umbrella Pine (Sciadopitys verticillata)

• Raintree Nursery
• Great Plant Picks
• OSU Department of Horticulture Plant Finder
• Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs

• Relish Gardens Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on YouTube