1. Education

Discuss in my forum

How to Pick a Healthy Tree

By , About.com Guide

1 of 4

Look For Healthy Foliage
How to Pick a Healthy Tree

Tree with Poor Foliage

Steve Nix/About Forestry
Every community in the United States has a nursery or nurseries selling trees that do not meet the quality you should demand. Often, they have attractive house and garden plants but their trees fall short on quality.

Here are photos of trees from one nursery I found within a mile of my home that sells inferior trees - every single day. People are paying premium prices at this family run nursery but are not getting a premium tree.

Always choose your trees with care and from a quality grower!

Here are four simple steps you can take when purchasing a tree from a nursery to protect yourself from buying an unhealthy tree. Even when offered a bargain price for a tree, it is never worth it if you have to nurse a sick tree.

Quality grown trees can easily be spotted across any small lot! They have a look of well-being with good form. The leaves are appropriately colored for the season and are insect and disease free (always look under the leaf for pests).

Undersized, yellow leaves that prematurely drop are obvious signs of poor health. Look at an example of poor tree vigor in the above photo of a stunted cherry that lists for over $15.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.