Planting a tree is one of the best things you can do for a property, but it's also a long-term commitment, and the Okanagan's hot, dry summers are unforgiving on the wrong choice. Get the species and the planting right and you've got shade, beauty, and value for decades. Get it wrong and you're watching something struggle and replanting in a few years. Here's how to think it through.
Start with what you want from the tree
Before species, get clear on the job. Are you after summer shade over a patio? Privacy screening from the neighbours? Fruit? A feature tree that anchors the yard? Each of those points to different species, sizes, and placement. A tree planted for shade over a deck is a different decision than a tight evergreen screen along a fence line.
Match the tree to our climate
The Okanagan is semi-arid: hot, dry summers and cold winters, with low humidity. The trees that do best here are ones adapted to that, or ones you're willing to water through establishment and beyond. Drought tolerance, cold hardiness for our winters, and resistance to the local pests all matter. A species that thrives on the wet coast can be a constant struggle here.
Things to weigh when choosing
- Mature size. The cute sapling becomes a big tree. Make sure there's room for it away from the house, foundation, and power lines.
- Water needs. Be honest about how much you'll water. Drought-tolerant species save you grief in our dry summers.
- Roots. Some species have aggressive roots that go looking for water and can lift pavers or invade lines. Keep those away from the house and septic.
- Mess and maintenance. Some trees drop fruit, seeds, or lots of debris. Fine in the right spot, annoying over a patio.
- Deciduous vs evergreen. Deciduous gives summer shade and winter sun; evergreen gives year-round screening and windbreak.
The right way to plant
How a tree is planted matters as much as what you plant. The most common mistakes are planting too deep and digging a hole that's too narrow.
- 1Dig wide, not deep. The hole should be two to three times the width of the root ball but no deeper than the root ball itself. Roots spread out, not down.
- 2Plant at the right depth. The root flare, where the trunk widens into the roots, should sit at or just above ground level. Planting too deep slowly kills trees.
- 3Loosen the roots. If the tree is root-bound from a pot, gently tease the roots out so they grow into the soil instead of circling.
- 4Backfill with native soil. Refill with the soil you dug out, not a hole full of rich potting mix that roots won't want to leave.
- 5Mulch, but not against the trunk. A ring of mulch holds moisture and moderates soil temperature. Keep it a few inches off the trunk.
- 6Water deeply and consistently through the first couple of seasons while the roots establish.
The first two years are everything
A newly planted tree lives or dies on establishment. Deep, consistent watering through the first two summers, while it grows the root system it needs, is the single biggest factor in survival here. After that, a well-chosen tree should be far more self-sufficient. Skipping the watering in year one is the most common reason a new tree fails in the Okanagan.
We help homeowners choose and plant the right trees across Kelowna and the Okanagan, and we'll be honest about what'll thrive in your specific spot. See our tree planting and selection service, or give us a call to talk it through.