What type of tree is best to plant close to the house?

Question

We are buying a new home that has no trees... so what is the best tree to plant here in Central Texas? What type of things should I consider when tree shopping?

Answer 1

Certainly you could plant fruit trees near your house,but

they draw bugs,bees and flies to your living space. The

best choice would be a beautiful redbud tree. I'd plant

REDBUD.

Answer 2

Small scale if any. Trees are not meant for planting near the foundation. That's asking for trouble. I 'm wrestling with a pear and a crab planted at the corners.

Answer 3

Any citrus fruit trees would be great,where I live it is so common to have several orange trees and the likes but still I should tell you that you have to clean up the leaves in the fall other than that, the trees are always green and beautiful and in spring they have these white heavenly smelling beauties on them. and the fruits just seems like shining lights when it rains.

Answer 4

Redbud is an understory tree. It will not do well without larger trees to shade it.

Things to consider:  

Height. How tall will the tree get? The larger the tree, the further from the house you want it. Roots can wreak havoc with the foundation.

Width. How wide will a tree get? The width is usually measured around the drip line. Take half of that, because the other half is on the other side of the trunk.

Soil. What type of soil do you have? You have to determine what type of soil you have, and then either amend it by bringing in compost, or finding a tree that will tolerate the type of soil you have.

Water. How much rain does your area get? If you are in a desert area, you need to find trees that will do well with little water. The first 2-3 years, the trees need heavy watering to get them established. Once they are established, then you can cut back on watering.

Ornamental or Shade. Are you looking for trees to shade the house? Or just give landscape appeal? Fast growing trees are usually not long lived. They have weak wood and drop branches.

Small trees are usually under 20 feet. Medium trees are under 30 feet. Tall trees are 40 feet and over.

Don't plant trees in the hope that you can keep a large tree (like a pine) from getting too big by pruning. It won't work. Look at the information label. It will tell you how big on average the tree should get.

Hardiness Zones. Do you know what planting zone you are in? You have to pick a tree that will do well in your planting zone. A white birch won't survive in Texas's heat.

I hope this gave you enough information to get started.