Evergreen trees, commonly called pines, offer year-round beauty to a homeowner’s property. Whether planted randomly in your front, side, or back yard, or used as a hedge line along your property's border, coniferous evergreen trees can make a welcome addition to your home, especially since their required care is fairly minimal. You can use only pines in your lawn or add them to other kinds of trees for a blended style of foliage.
When selecting young pines from a local nursery or planter for initial planting in your lawn, you may want to get all of the same kind, such as Colorado blue spruce, or a mixture of varieties for a more natural wooded look. Buying trees the same size ensures that they will probably grow at a comparable rate to maintain a symmetrical appearance about your property. Pines can grow a foot or more in height each year. Some varieties spread side to side as much as eighteen to twenty-four inches, so plant them far enough apart to make sure they don't stretch into each other, stifle their growth, or assume a crowded or ungainly appearance.
Fall, with its cool temperatures and sunny days, is the ideal time for planting young trees. A four- or five-foot pine has an excellent chance of making it through the winter and commencing new growth in the spring. Younger trees can also do well, but you may need to supply a little extra care, depending on soil and weather conditions in your area. Check with the nursery personnel where you plan to purchase the trees. Or you can find pine tree care information at Internet Web sites by doing a search.
If the soil in your area is as moist as it should be and not unduly dry for the season, you may not need to water the new trees at all. During the next year or two, however, if your area is hit by a drought, you may want to run a hose extension or a sprinkler system around the trees to give them the water they need to thrive. Water them early and late in the day, but avoid midday watering, when the sun is hottest in summer. A healthy dose of fertilizer will bring new shoots to your pines in no time; you'll be amazed to see how fast they grow. Ask the nursery attendant for their recommended brand.
Trim dead, brown branches to promote new growth. If some branches become heavy or unwieldy, you may have to prune them back to restore balance to the tree and symmetry to your lawn.
Pine trees offer a delightful haven for all kinds of wildlife in your area, from nesting birds in the spring to hibernating ground creatures in the fall. Since they don't have leaves to shed for raking, you'll save lawn care time. Visit your local nursery to view the selection of evergreen trees. Priced typically from $75 to $150, you may be tempted to take a few home, hopefully with a good deal and a wise investment.
