About Sustainable Tree Planting

Western Washington is home to diverse forest regions, each with unique characteristics influenced by tree species, climate, wildlife, and plant life. Each forest faces its own challenges, such as water management issues, climate change, and the need for biodiversity conservation.

While you can design and plant a landscape, tree planting companies can help you with sustainable practices that are best for the environment. If you want to plant new trees in your environment, it’s important to consider sustainable tree-planting practices for several reasons, many of which we’ll discuss in this blog post.

Benefits of Planting Trees in Western Washington

There are many benefits to planting trees in Western Washington, such as:

Environmental benefits:

How do trees help the environment? Planting trees provides nearly innumerable benefits. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate climate change while providing shade and cooling the surrounding environment. Trees also provide plenty of habitat and food for various species, helping to promote a diverse and balanced ecosystem. Yet another benefit of planting trees is that they help manage water resources by reducing runoff, improving groundwater recharge, and preventing erosion. This is especially important in areas with significant rainfall.

Social and economic benefits:

Trees add life to a landscape and provide much-needed shade for parks, yards, and more. Adding trees to a landscape has been shown to improve mental health, enhance community cohesion, increase physical activity, and even reduce crime. Trees can also provide economic benefits by increasing property value. While it’s easy to overlook trees, there are many benefits of adding them to a landscape.

Choosing the Right Trees for Sustainability

When considering planting a tree, there are plenty to choose from. But how do you know which ones are best suited for Western Washington’s climate? Consider native trees that are ideal for our unique climate. Western Washington has cool, wet winters and moderate summers. Conifers and evergreens are great options for planting. Consider trees like Douglas Fir, Oregon Pine, Western Hemlock, and Ponderosa Pine. Deciduous trees, such as the Oregon Crabapple tree and Oregon White Oak, also grow well.

Choosing native trees is an easy way to provide habitat for wildlife. Consider choosing trees that produce food for them, such as nuts, fruits, seeds, or nectar. In addition, planting various trees, such as canopy and understory trees, will enhance the biodiversity of your environment and provide structural diversity.

Best Practices for Sustainable Tree Planting

With just a little bit of planting and some simple steps, you can ensure success for your tree now and in the future. After you’ve chosen the trees you’d like to plant, you’ll need to consider when and where to plant. Fall is often the best time to plant trees in Western Washington. Rains help to soften the soil and help young saplings stay hydrated.

Planting in the fall also gives the trees time to establish their root systems before the harsh winter and summer months. When choosing where to plant, consider sun exposure, rainfall, drainage, and soil composition. With each tree you have chosen, plan a location in your yard that suits its needs.

When planting, start by digging a hole twice the pot’s width. Clear away any excess dirt, such as rocks. Gently remove the tree from the pot by loosening the roots from the sides. Center the tree inside the hole you have dug with the root collar flush with the ground. Begin to backfill the area with dirt, compact the soil around the plant, and remove any air pockets. Lastly, mulch should be added around the tree no more than three inches around the base, as this will protect the tree from weeds and help nourish the soil.

Need Help? Choose Pacific Arboriculture

When you choose Pacific Arboriculture to help with your tree planting needs, you’re ensuring that you’ll benefit from our expert knowledge and commitment to sustainable practices. Our tree and plant health care services not only guarantee that you’ll have beautiful trees for years to come, but they’ll also improve the environment and your landscaping.

In your search for tree-planting companies, choose one that is experienced, knowledgeable, and professional. For our variety of services close to you, such as Federal Way tree services, Maple Valley tree pruning, and Tacoma tree services, request a free quote from Pacific Arboriculture today.