Toronto’s 217+ tree species (including the many evergreens that flourish in its unique temperate climate and assortment of terrains) provide the shelter and privacy that yearlong shades of green offer, not just for humans, but also for the wildlife that also call the city home. We’ll help you choose which evergreen tree your garden requires depending on the space available.
Understanding Your Space
Make sure there is enough space for your tree to grow
Understanding your area will enable you to make wise judgments regardless of the size of your garden.
- Measure Your Space: Use a measuring tape or a garden planning app to measure the length and width of the area where you plan to plant your trees. Take into account of any current garden features, walkways, or structures that might affect your planting strategy.
- Conduct a Soil Test: Obtain a soil testing kit from a local garden centre or send a sample to a laboratory for analysis. This will help you identify the soil’s pH and nutrient level, which is crucial for choosing trees that, will thrive in your particular environment.
- Observe Sunlight Patterns: Spend a few days noting how sunlight moves across your garden. Knowing if your area receives full sun, medium shade, or full shadow is crucial because different evergreen species have different light requirements.
- Consider Microclimates: Your garden might have microclimates – areas where conditions differ from the overall climate. An area beneath a canopy, for instance, may be cooler and wetter than a spot close to a wall.
- Assess the Drainage: Check how water drains in your garden by observing after a heavy rain. Insufficient drainage can lead to root rot. If you need to improve drainage, use raised beds or make soil modifications.
Types of Evergreen Trees
Toronto offers a variety of evergreen trees suitable for different spaces. Here are some popular options:
Small Evergreen Trees
Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Hinoki Cypress, Boxwood
- Ideal for: Small gardens, containers, and patios.
- These trees are perfect for adding greenery to limited spaces. Their compact size makes them easy to manage and incorporate into various landscape designs.
Medium Evergreen Trees
Eastern White Pine, Serbian Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce
- Ideal for: Medium-sized lawns, providing privacy screens.
- Medium evergreen trees offer a balance between size and coverage, making them suitable as privacy trees without overwhelming the space.
Large Evergreen Trees
Norway Spruce, Douglas Fir, White Cedar
- Ideal for: Large properties, creating windbreaks and significant privacy barriers.
- These trees are excellent for expansive properties where they can grow to their full potential, providing substantial privacy and protection from the elements.
Picking the Right Tree
Important factors to consider, when selecting evergreen trees:
- Growth: Trees grow at different rates. Fast-growing species such as Eastern White Pine can quickly fill an area, but they may require more frequent pruning. Slow-growing species like dwarf Alberta spruces mature more slowly and while they are low maintenance, may take longer to mature. Make sure that you are planting the tree for ample height and width requirements to avoid crowding later.
- Tree Maintenance: Not all conifers are easy to maintain. For example, the Serbian spruce is very low maintenance, whereas the Boxwood requires regular pruning to maintain its form. Reflect on the time and effort you wish to devote to the care of the trees.
- Resistance to Pests and Diseases: Some evergreen trees resist pests and diseases better. Norway spruce for instance is much more tolerant to needle cast disease than the Colorado blue spruce.
- Weather and Soil Suitability: The Toronto climate may not be appropriate for others. Be sure to get the right kind of trees that could live through the harshest climate conditions in your neighbourhood. Also, make sure to match your soil type with the tree in your garden. For instance, Douglas firs can face drier situations while White Cedars want moist, well-drained soil.
- Aesthetic Requirement: Consider the visual appeal of the trees. Think about their foliage, colour, texture, and shape, as well as how they will look all season. Use variety – mixing different types of evergreens in your landscape can make it interesting.
Designing with Evergreen Trees
Strategic planning is required to create a beautiful evergreen landscape:
- Spacing and arrangement: Proper spacing ensures healthy growth and prevents overcrowding. Plan the layout to enhance functionality and aesthetic appeal.
- Landscape designs: Incorporate evergreen trees into various designs, such as formal gardens, naturalistic landscapes, or mixed borders.
- Seasonal interest and colour variations: Choose evergreens with different textures and colours to maintain visual interest throughout the year.
Where to Buy Evergreen Trees in Toronto
Buy only from reputable tree-selling companies
Buying from trustworthy garden centres and nurseries guarantees you will receive high-quality, healthy evergreen trees. The following advice will help you choose the best trees:
- Reputable nurseries: Visit local nurseries known for their quality and variety of evergreen trees.
- Healthy trees: Look for trees with vibrant foliage, strong branches, and no signs of pests or diseases.
Planting and Caring for Your Evergreen Trees
Proper planting and care are crucial for the health of your evergreen trees. Follow these steps:
- Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball. After the tree is positioned in the hole, cover it completely with soil and water thoroughly.
- Ongoing care: Water the trees regularly, especially during dry periods. Prune as needed to maintain shape and health. Fertilize annually to promote growth.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these pitfalls to ensure your evergreen trees thrive:
- Overcrowding trees: Give each tree enough space to grow to its mature size.
- Ignoring soil and light requirements: Plant trees in suitable soil and light conditions.
- Neglecting regular maintenance: Consistent care is key to healthy trees.
A stunning evergreen paradise that improves your property all year long can be made by carefully planning ahead of time and choosing the perfect trees. Plan your ideal green area now by asking questions or sharing your experiences to learn more about the world of evergreen trees.
Are you ready to transform your outside space entirely with the perfect evergreen trees? Caledon Treeland provides an extensive collection of evergreen trees for sale in Toronto for all lawn sizes. Don’t miss out on expert advice and top-quality trees. Call us now at (905) 880-1828 to start creating your dream landscape today!