![]() Rather than selecting a tree or shrub and then trying to fit it into your landscape, first assess your landscape. It is all too easy to select a plant on impulse without considering the conditions your landscape offers. Plant Selectionīecause there are so many woody plants available for use in the landscape, you should choose your plants carefully. Maine’s evergreen shrubs include needled types like junipers and broadleaf types like rhododendrons. Some of Maine’s deciduous shrubs offer both excellent flowering and fruiting, and outstanding fall color. Like trees, shrubs can be deciduous or evergreen. ![]() ![]() The two groups overlap somewhat, since large shrubs can be limbed up to form small trees, and small trees are sometimes multi-stemmed. Shrubs are generally smaller than trees and are typically multi-stemmed. Shrubs are often selected for their flowering and fruiting characteristics, but they are also valued for their form, texture and fall color. Shrubs add depth and interest to the landscape, within the framework formed by trees and buildings. Deciduous trees shade homes in summer and allow more light to penetrate in winter. For example, evergreen trees make better year-round windbreaks than deciduous trees. The differences between trees also become important when deciding on the functional aspects of a landscape. The appearance of evergreens does not change dramatically over the year, while deciduous trees’ texture and color change greatly from season to season. Evergreens provide a classically beautiful winter scene, while the branching pattern of deciduous trees allows for an interesting visual texture during the winter months. It is important to consider what the landscape looks like at all times of the year. The distinction between deciduous and evergreen trees becomes important when planning a landscape. Maine’s evergreen trees are all needled and include pine, spruce, and fir. ![]() Evergreen trees hold their leaves throughout the winter. A surprising member of this group is the larch, which has needles, yet is deciduous. Examples of deciduous trees are maples, oaks, and willows. Deciduous trees are those that lose their leaves each fall. Trees are divided into two main groups: deciduous and evergreen. A tree improperly selected or cared for can detract from the overall landscape, and can become a liability.Ī tree is a woody plant that produces one main trunk, supports a more or less distinctly elevated canopy of branches and reaches a height of 15 feet or more. Because of their permanence and importance in the landscape, take care to select the best tree for each situation. Many live and enhance the landscape for 100 or more years if they are given proper care. Trees are the most permanent plants we grow. Hundreds of species and varieties of woody plants can be grown in Maine - a tree or shrub exists for nearly every situation. Many offer fragrance in addition to visual characteristics and some have fruits that are edible by either people or wildlife. Trees and shrubs vary in leaf color and texture, bark texture, overall form, flowering qualities, and fall color. These woody plants add to a home landscape in many ways: they provide a source of shade to otherwise open areas and protect the home from forceful winds. Prepared by Diana George Chapin, Former Graduate Assistant, and Lois Berg Stack, Extension Ornamental Horticulture Specialistįor information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit .įind more of our publications and books at /publications/.Īll Maine landscapes may be embellished through the planting of native and introduced trees and shrubs. Bulletin #2366, Selecting, Planting, and Caring for Trees and Shrubs in the Maine Landscape (PDF)
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