Trees and shrubs are the only part of a landscape that appreciates on its own. They add shade, block wind, screen a neighbor’s view, and give a property the sense of maturity that annual color never will. They are also the easiest thing to get wrong, which is why tree and shrub installation is worth doing properly the first time — a poor planting can take three years to show you it failed.
Our tree and shrub installation process is the same on every job: we select material sized and suited to the spot, dig the hole correctly, set the root flare at the right height, backfill with native soil rather than a bathtub of amendment, and mulch without burying the trunk. Everything we plant is chosen for Northern Illinois hardiness (USDA Zones 5a–5b) and the specific sun, wind, and drainage conditions of your property. For species selection and planting standards we follow guidance from the Morton Arboretum and University of Illinois Extension.
More young trees are killed by planting depth and mulch volcanoes than by any disease. Correct tree and shrub installation depth is the single biggest factor in whether a planting survives its first three years.
Trees are set so the root flare sits at or slightly above grade, never buried below it.
Holes dug wide instead of deep so roots spread outward into the surrounding soil.
Burlap, wire, and girdling roots addressed before backfill so the tree is not strangled later.
Mulch pulled back off the trunk to prevent rot, pests, and girdling.
Evergreen rows and staggered plantings that block sightlines without looking like a fence.
Well-placed canopy trees that cool the house and anchor the property.
Right-sized shrubs that frame the house instead of swallowing the windows in five years.
Flowering trees, Japanese maples, and ornamental grasses used as focal points.
Most of our tree and shrub installation work uses balled-and-burlapped or container stock in the size range that transplants successfully and establishes quickly. Larger material makes an immediate impact but establishes slower, and we will talk through that tradeoff for your site.
It depends on space and exposure. Arborvitae, spruce, and mixed evergreen plantings all work well, and staggering two rows gives you a much better screen than a single straight line. We will match the species to your soil and how much room you actually have.
Deep, infrequent watering for the first two growing seasons is far better than light daily sprinkling. We give you a specific schedule based on what was planted and when.
Yes. We handle removal of smaller trees and shrubs, stump grinding, soil correction, and replanting. For large-canopy removals we coordinate with a licensed arborist.
Spring and early fall are ideal for tree and shrub installation in Northern Illinois. Fall planting in particular lets roots establish while the soil is still warm and the plant is not fighting summer heat.
Questions? Call us!