3 Tools to Choose the Right Tree for Your Property

With the onset of fall comes tree planting season. Along with that comes the inevitable questions of what tree should I plant and where should I plant it? You want to choose a tree that will grow well and meet the needs and goals you have for your property. The three tools below can help you do that, no matter where you live. 

1. National Tree Benefit Calculator

Start with this tool to see what benefits the trees currently on your property are providing. This tool calculates economic and ecological benefits such as tree dollar value, energy savings and carbon sequestration among others. It is helpful to know what benefits your trees are currently providing so that you can fill the benefit gap with new trees. 

You can find the calculator at www.treebenefits.com
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National Tree Benefit Calculator Start Page

2. Tree Species Selectors

There are many factors to consider when planting a tree - mature height/spread, soil needs, climate, fruiting, aesthetics, etc. You want your newly planted tree to survive to maturity, and likely have some goals in mind for what the tree will provide. You simply put in the variables (or as many as you know) and the selector spits out a list of trees suitable for your planting location. 

You can find a number of tree species selectors in our Resources section. 

3. i-Tree Design

i-Tree Design will help you place trees around your property to maximize the benefits they provide. The tools uses mapping and your building's footprint to determine tree placement. The tool then tells you what  your new tree will provide in terms of greenhouse gas mitigation, air quality improvements and stormwater interception. You can play around with a few different species and locations to determine what works best for you and the environment. 

You can find i-Tree design at www.itreetools.org/design.php

A sample benefit determination produced by i-Tree Design.