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Trees Are Part of the Property Dance - Size Matters - Part Two

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Dagny's Real Estate

Trees Are Part of the Property Dance - Size Matters - Part Two

Trees by the house


Your property is all part of a choreographed dance.   Each part plays a part in the whole.    Without one part, the remaining parts are disfunctional.   Trees are a large part of the dance, and should fit just like the flowers, the green lawn, the freshly painted exterior, and the beautifully updated and decorated interior.   The size of the tree matters in relation to where it is on the property, and where in relation to the house.

Trees by the house



The plantings around a house and on the land should complement the size, style, location, of the home and the area.   A home in Arizona or Texas would look silly with a huge New England maple tree next to it (and I doubt it could grow in that climate..)   A home in Wilton CT in New England would look silly with large cactis around it, also.    If the home is small, the plantings around the house should not be too over bearing, and conversely, if a home is large and stately, it needs larger trees and bushes.  

Dwarf Hinoki Cypress in Wilton CT

A modern or contemporary home will need a totally different style of landscaping than a traditional colonial.    The contemporary home will need a simpler looking tree, such as a Dwarf Hinoki Cypress or stately Blue Atlas Cedar, whereas a colonial may want for a maple or oak tree.  

A small ranch style home would stand out as a very comfortable, cozy home with smaller trees, and shrubs, and a mansion home would need a larger tree.    There are trees that make a statement, such as the elegant columnar junipers.   On the other hand, a hurry up tree for really tall screening is the Leland Cypress, as it grows at least three feet per year.   There are weeping trees, and drooping trees, depending on the effect one may want.  
An Umbrella Pine is a very soft different looking evergreen which looks somewhat artistic and unique, but it matures to 15 feet wide and 25 feet tall, so it needs space.  Always remember to leave a tree room enough to grow properly to maturity where you plant it.    Check out Part One for more info on this....

Blue spruce in Wilton CT


There are certain that are great for hedges, a
nd situations that are appropriate for hedges.   A fabulous use for an ilex or boxwood hedge is as a back drop for a flower garden - the green hedge sets off the colors of the flowers.   Some hedges are needed for privacy, and need to be larger and taller, such as a hemlock hedge, or arborvitae hedge.    They can be pruned every year for a long time. 

Right adjacent to the house, one should plant a slower growing variety, such as the Dwarf Alberta Spruce or the Dwarf Hinoki Cypress.    That makes a statement, but doesn't need pruning for a very long time. 




Trees Are Part of the Property Dance - Size matters - Part Two

Christie Lane Craven
Blackwell Real Estate - Odenton, MD
Your Anne Arundel County Agent

Great point Dagny, we have had some listings where a bit of tree trimming has been necessary before we even took photos so you could really see the front of some really nice properties!

Jun 25, 2010 04:49 PM
Sara Goss
HatmakerGroup.com GMAC Real Estate - League City, TX
Realtor - Houston Bay Area, Texas

"Your property is all part of a choreographed dance."
This is an interesting way to think about the appropriateness of the plantings around a home and how they affect the overall appeal. You are obviously prepared to advise clients on any actions they need to take. Nice blog.
(I think of it as 3d composition.)

Jun 25, 2010 04:54 PM
Dan Edward Phillips
Dan Edward Phillips - Eureka, CA
Realtor and Broker/Owner

Very good post!  There are many homes on the market that require major tree surgery.

Jun 25, 2010 05:24 PM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Dagny - Thank you for sharing a very good blog about property trees.

Jun 25, 2010 05:56 PM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Good morning, all...    I feel that the NorthEast is the biggest loser on this one.   Most property owners here do not do much with their trees to enhance their properties..    The mansions are usually planted fairly well, but most property owners leave all seedlings to the edges of the lawns, and they eventually grow into huge ugly (for where they are) trees.   These top pictures were taken in a 1/4 acre area, and still the trees were the neglected part of the proerty.

Jun 26, 2010 12:28 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Dagny, this is the first post I remember talking about trees, and how they can enhance a property. Good choice!

Jun 26, 2010 03:13 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Thanks, Lottie!    I enjoy landscaping, and get a kick out of the fact that so few property owners are conscious of the effect trees have on the look of their place...

Jun 26, 2010 10:36 AM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

Hmmm...Dagny, I would have never thought of that aspect of keeping up the maintenance of a property...I'll have to read the first part too...thanks...

Jun 26, 2010 03:34 PM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Dagny, superb post on trees around the house! Most people don't pay attention to what kind of trees they have or how they go with the house. Excellent!

Jun 26, 2010 06:48 PM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

William - Most property owners do not pay attention to the trees, but they sure can cause major damage in a storm!

Maria - some neighbors, years ago, took down all trees that had leaves on their 2 acre lot.  From then on, they have had only a few leaves to clean up - they have all evergreen trees........  Their property is beautiful, by the way!

Jun 26, 2010 11:44 PM