Autumn is the best time for tree planting. Here are some of our tips when you are looking at a tree to buy. These rules apply whether you are going to a local nursery or purchasing the tree online. It is important to remember that trees can have a long life time and can easily out live you. Here are some of our tips.

1. Garden Position. You need to pick trees which will fit in your garden. Choosing an oak tree for a small town garden is not the best choice for example. Over time the tree will grow bigger than the size of an average town garden. Pruning such trees to keep them under will likely make them look ugly and additionally it is time consuming. If you choose a tall growing tree then you need to work out if you will block sunshine over a wide area. Additionally when planting near neighbors gardens you want to be careful with growing tall trees or ones which will overhang into their garden as badly chosen trees can frequently cause bad feelings between neighbors.
2. Garden – Soil. It is important to know the type of soil you are going to plant your tree in. A tree which grows best in well-drained sandy soil is not going to survive in a heavy clay soil which retains water. Be aware of the fact that planting a big tree which grows a surface root system in light soil or boggy soil runs the risk of been blown over as it gets bigger.
3. Garden - Climate. If you are buying a tree you need ensure it will survive on its own in its new climate. For example trees bought anywhere in the UK and Ireland will mostly grow anywhere else within the UK and Ireland with some exceptions on soft fruit trees. However if you are in a northern state of the US and buy a tree from a southern state then you will have to be more careful. The altitude of garden is also another factor you will need check as this can affect the growing ability of trees.
4. Check how you tree species looks throughout the year. You need to choose if you want one which produces an array of blossoms in the spring, or one which leaves turn different colours in the autumn.

If you are buying from a nursery choose trees which look well grown and show no signs of disease. If the tree is growing in a container ensure it has not become completely pot bound. If the tree roots have been forced into a certain position then when it is planted chances are it will not branch roots out into the new ground and make it liable to be blown over. (If buying mail order then ensure you have a right to return the item at their cost if they supply a substandard tree)