Trees

Selecting the Right Tree

Selecting the right trees for your landscape is possibly the most important decision you can make for the long-term quality of your yard. Planting the right tree in the wrong place or planting the wrong tree in the right place can have dire consequences for years to come. Choosing the right tree for the right place includes:

  • Allowing generous room for growth
  • Choose a planting location
  • Evaluating planting area conditions
  • Selecting a tree that will flourish in your chosen planting spot

Soil Types

Be sure to check soil conditions that will affect the future growth and success of your trees such as low fertility, compaction and pollution contamination.

Nursery Selection

Look for the following when purchasing a tree:

  • Avoid broken or dead limbs
  • Avoid damaged bark
  • If tree is dormant, scratch the bark to make sure it is moist and green inside
  • Make sure the root ball is moist, or container and soil is moist, and the roots are not exposed
  • Select a tree with a straight, single leader

Irving's Tree Guide

Presented by the Irving Parks and Recreation Department through the Irving Tree Board, this colorful tree guide publication (PDF) serves as a guide for residents that may have questions regarding how to plant a tree, proper pruning, maintenance, disease and other issues that trees face in north Texas. Included is a list, along with photos, recommending the 25 best trees for Irving.

Hard Working Trees

Trees perform an astonishing variety of valuable functions that benefit our environment, such as:

  • Beautifying urban environments: Trees provide visual interest to neighborhoods and business districts alike with their vibrant colors, attractive shapes, fragrances, flowers, and interesting wildlife residents.
  • Conserving energy: Trees can lower air conditioning bills from 10 to 50 percent by shading a home from the summer sun.
  • Conserving water: A tree’s leafy canopy slows and filters rainfall.
  • Increasing property values: Well-placed, high-quality trees can raise property values by as much as 20 percent. During new construction, remodeling or other major projects, remember to protect your natural investment by temporarily fencing around your trees to prevent root and bark injuries and soil compaction.
  • Providing wildlife habitat: Trees provide shelter and food to birds, insects, and small reptiles and mammals.
  • Reducing pollution: The leaves on trees remove carbon dioxide from the air, filter microscopic dust particles and even remove some toxic pollutants.