There are many benefits to planting a tree on your property. Trees lower your utility bills by shading your house in the summer and allowing the sun to warm it in the winter. They clean the air and absorb stormwater runoff. Trees help fight climate change, and they’re even linked to better mental health.

To get all the benefits of a tree, you need to make sure you select and plant your tree so that it can thrive.

1. Consider maintenance and monitoring

Before you plant your tree, think about how you’ll maintain and monitor it so that it will thrive for generations. Trees need more water directly to the roots, and not the trunk, for the first three years after planting. If you live in an arid climate, you’ll need to install or extend an existing irrigation line.

Fertilizer does not fix all of a tree’s problems, and many trees don’t actually need fertilizer. So long as your tree is growing and its leaves look healthy, it doesn’t need any extra nutrients.

Avoid using pesticides and herbicides. Many of these chemicals are linked to negative health outcomes for people, insects and birds. Herbicides intended for weeds can wind up hurting your tree.

Consult with a certified arborist if your tree is showing signs of ill health, such as yellowing or dying leaves. Oftentimes, these may be related to other issues, including over or under watering, compacted soil, too little sunlight, improper pruning, or pests and disease.

2. Choose the right spot to plant your tree

Trees have specific requirements for sunlight, soil and climate. A tree that needs full sun will not thrive if you plant it in shade, while another that needs dry soil might die if you plant it in a wet spot.

“Full sun” means at least 6 hours each day of direct sunlight. “Partial shade” means an area receives dappled shade throughout the day, or 2-4 hours of direct sunlight. “Shade” means 2 or fewer hours of sun each day.

Make sure that your tree doesn’t cause problems as it grows. Plant trees at least 15 feet away from buildings so there is enough room for roots and branches to reach full size. Call the local utility company to mark any underground utilities around the planting location. Make sure that the tree won’t disrupt power lines, underground utilities, sidewalks and other infrastructure as it grows.

Select a site that is far enough from your neighbor’s property that the branches won’t extend into their yard. Or, talk to your neighbor about the benefits of sharing the shade from your tree as it grows.

3. Select the right “climate-smart” tree

The earth’s climate is changing rapidly. Some areas will experience more intense droughts. Others will weather more severe storms. Almost everywhere will be hotter. Some tree experts are now recommending that you plant trees that are suited to the climate conditions your area will experience in 50 or 100 years. Here are a few considerations for choosing a tree species: 

• Weather: Pick a tree species that is tolerant to higher heat or more intense droughts. You could also consider a species that grows at a lower elevation or several miles south of your location. 

• Purpose: Decide whether you want a shade tree, a small flowering tree to brighten up a shady corner, a tree to attract wildlife, or something else. For recommendations, you can consult a local expert (an arborist or plant nursery, for example) or the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Tool for your planting zone. 

• Origin: Native trees are adapted to local conditions and provide essential habitat and food for wildlife like birds and butterflies. You can use a tool like the Audubon Native Plant Database to look up trees that are native to your area. Be careful never to plant invasive trees, including mimosa, tree-of-heaven, Norway maple and black locust. Invasive trees can compromise ecosystems. 

• Size: When a new tree is planted, it takes several years for it to become comfortable in its new environment. The larger the tree, the more time it takes to adapt. The smaller the tree, the less time it takes to adapt. Smaller sized saplings or young trees tend to be less expensive and easier to transport and plant.  

• Season: Fall and spring are the best times to plant a tree in a temperate climate zone. If you live in a more arid climate, winter is the best time of year to plant. Do not plant a tree in the middle of summer or a heat wave as that stresses a newly planted tree. 

• Availability: All garden centers might not carry the tree you want. Specialty nurseries, such as native plant nurseries, may have a better selection. Call ahead or reach out to your town or city. Some municipalities give out free or inexpensive trees, or some have tree rebate programs. 

4. Carefully remove the tree from its sack or container

Do not hold the tree by its trunk, as that can cause the trunk to snap off and kill the tree. If your tree is containerized, hold onto the container and gently slide the tree out.

Do not leave the tree in bright sunlight or hot temperatures before you plant it. Instead, leave it somewhere cool in the shade. Make sure you plant your tree within 24 hours after purchase to prevent the roots from drying out.

Trees that are kept in containers for too long often have roots that grow in a circling pattern. As these wrap-around roots grow, they can “girdle” or strangle a tree. Use your hands to loosen and tease apart the roots. You can also take a sharp serrated knife to shave a quarter of an inch off the sides of the root ball and cut an “X” in the bottom of the root ball to help break up overly compacted roots.

5. Prepare the planting site, and plant the tree

Remove grass and other plants in a several-foot radius from the planting hole. Grass can absorb water and nutrients that a young tree needs to thrive.

Dig a hole that’s no deeper than the tree’s container or sack, and 3-5 times as wide as the size of its container. This helps the roots spread out as they grow, making for a healthier tree.

Gently place the tree in the center of the hole and backfill the hole with the soil you dug out. When filling your hole with soil, don’t go any higher than the root flare — the spot where the trunk transitions into the roots at the base of the tree. The flare should be exposed and slightly above ground. It’s always better to plant your tree too high than too low.

6. Add mulch

Mulch is great to add after a tree is planted. It looks nice and, more importantly, it helps keep the soil moist. Apply mulch between 2 and 3 inches deep, starting at least 3 inches from the root flare — the spot where the trunk transitions into the roots at the base of the tree and working your way outwards.

Avoid dyed and synthetic mulches. The dye and material leach into the soil, and they can absorb extra heat around the base of the tree.

A common mistake is piling mulch against the trunk of the tree. Although you may have seen trees with thick applications of mulch against the truck and root flare — so-called “mulch volcanoes” — this can actually kill a tree. If mulch touches the tree’s root flare, it can invite pests, cause the trunk to rot, or cause the tree’s roots to grow up into the mulch and girdle the tree.

7. Water properly

Right after you plant your tree, make sure to water it around the roots, not the trunk. Trees need 1 inch of water for every inch of diameter. After that, give the tree plenty of water once a week for three years until it’s established. Overall, you want the soil to be moist but not soggy. After three years, it’s best to water your tree during droughts and heat waves.

There’s no need to water if there’s been 1.5 inches or more of rainfall a week. In temperate climates, you can pause watering in the winter months when trees lose their leaves and daytime high temperatures are below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. In late winter or early spring, start watering again once daytime temperatures rise above 40 degrees and you notice buds in the branches on your tree begin to swell.

In arid climates, you may need to install or expand your irrigation system. Make sure you check your irrigation system or hire an expert to check it once a year to make sure it is still watering your tree and working property.