What important factors should be considered before planting or recommending a tree?

Before planting or recommending a tree, considering size limits and growth rate is crucial for ensuring that the tree will thrive in its intended location and will not cause issues in the future. Size limits help assess how large the tree will grow both in height and spread. This is important because trees need ample space to expand without interfering with power lines, buildings, or other structures. Additionally, understanding the growth rate allows an arborist to predict how quickly the tree will reach its mature size, which can impact long-term planning for landscape design and maintenance.

The right tree for a specific area must match the available space and future landscape maturity, as this affects not only aesthetic suitability but also the relationship with surrounding plants, human activity, and infrastructure. Properly considering these factors helps minimize future complications such as overcrowded plantings, structural damage, or excessive maintenance challenges.

While price, leaf color, flower type, soil texture, and weather can all play important roles in tree selection, they do not address the fundamental aspects of growth potential and space requirements, which are essential for the successful establishment and longevity of the tree in its environment.