Pine and spruce planted as a windbreak require 14 – 16 foot spacing in most situations. These two groups of evergreens are shade intolerant, which means that the lower branches can die back if trees are crowded and shaded, creating holes in the lower canopy of windbreak plantings. This will cause a wind tunnel effect at the ground level, which will require corrective planting in the future.

Remember too, that unless a tree's mature height is less than 15 feet, it should not be planted under or near overhead utility lines. There are few things worse than topped trees. Save yourself from future heartaches and plan and plant accordingly. Sewer lines may also become clogged with roots if you plant a tree too close to the sewer line's location. A simple map of your property, showing existing utilities, buildings, trees and activity areas, will help you determine the amount of space you have available, so you can plan accordingly.

Finally, determine whether the tree you want to plant is hardy for your climate, and is adapted to your soil type. You can head off future problems by selecting tree species, which are more resistant to insects and disease, and less susceptible to wind damage. A tree that is native to your region of Illinois will usually be easier to establish and maintain, and is often more resistant to disease and environmental stress.

Correct planting techniques are just as important as the selection of an appropriate species for your site. If you are planting trees or shrubs that have been grown in a container or have a root ball covered with burlap, there are two important planting steps. First, the width of the hole you prepare for your tree should be 2 to 3 times the diameter of the root ball or container. Secondly, the tree must not be planted deeper than it was originally growing in the nursery.

When you are ready to plant, carefully remove soil at the top of the container or root ball, and look for the root collar. This will be a slightly swollen area where the stem of the tree meets the roots then, plant your tree no deeper than this point.

Finally, water the tree to the point of soil saturation at the time of planting. During the first growing season, make sure your tree has one inch of water weekly from rainfall or artificial watering. Mulching the tree will help reduce evaporation and will also keep the roots cooler and less stressed in late summer.

If you are planting bare rooted seedling trees and shrubs, follow the same planting depth guidelines. Look for the root collar and fill the prepared hole to the root collar. Seedling trees sometimes are planted using a planting bar or spade which creates a slit in the ground for the roots. If you are planting using this technique, make sure the slit is deep enough so the root tips are not bent upwards when placed in the slit. This is referred to as J-rooting, and often leads to death of the seedling. Also, take care to keep the seedling's roots moist until it is planted.

There are a couple of web sites that can help you find information on tree selection and growing requirements. The University of Illinois' urban web site has a "selecting trees for your yard" section.

The University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences "Virtual Forest" web site also has an extensive library of tree selection, planting and management information. Finally, the University of Illinois Champaign Extension Unit can be reached at 333-7672, to answer specific questions you may have about tree planting.