WOOD THAT YOU COULD ... PICKING PROPER TREE IMPORTANT.

Byline: Angela M. Lemire Staff Writer

Rooting out costly damage caused by trees such as cracked sewer lines or foundations or buckled stonework can be as simple as choosing the right tree to plant.

``The most common mistake is picking something that will grow into too big of a tree, with an aggressive root system too close to foundations, walls and concrete,'' said Randy Mineo, owner of Chatsworth Nursery Center & Custom Landscape. ``Where everything is - in relation to everything else - is key.''

Of course, picking the tree that best suits your needs and taste means knowing a lot about your property, including the size and constraints and the climate. And in the San Fernando Valley, there are also microclimates to consider. Temperatures, terrain, moisture and winds can differ from neighborhood to neighborhood - depending on one's proximity to canyons, river valleys and hills - and affect climate-sensitive trees.

Still, you don't need an arborist's license to plant a tree.

Knowing how to answer some basic questions before making that trip to a local nursery and consulting the experts there goes a long way.

``The first consideration should be purpose,'' says Bud Arntzen, who heads production for Woodland Hills-based Boething Treeland Farms Inc. ``Do you want shade? Something ornamental or that will bear fruit? Is the tree for privacy or screening? Maybe you just want something that will break up the starkness of your back yard, or you want to add dimension and height to your existing landscape.''

Arntzen's own nursery office is dwarfed beneath a dense and sprawling canopy of a 20-year-old mulberry, a deciduous tree that sheds its thick, green leaves every winter.

The mulberry's shade cools hot summer temperatures by as much as 20 degrees and cuts air conditioning costs by about 15 to 20 percent, Arntzen notes, yet its bare branches during winters enable direct sunlight to warm the building.

Behind the office, along a back fence facing the Ventura Freeway (101), a row of tall, mature redwoods completely screens the freeway from view and blocks harsh sun rays from the southeast.

Arntzen added, ``After you figure out what you want your tree to do, you can start looking at personal preferences, like whether you want big or small leaves or needles, something deciduous or evergreen, or if you want some seasonal colors. And go from there.''

Perhaps the most important consideration, though, is the yard's size and proximity to nearby structures, such as the house foundation, ornamental stone work or patios and underground utility lines such as sewer pipes. Homeowners also should take into account nearby gardens and smaller trees, which could suffer from too much tree shade.

After finding that perfect spot, pick a tree that can mature within the available space both above and below ground.

``The smaller the area, the more you have to think about the root system,'' said Arntzen, who recommends a minimum 20-foot distance from sewer lines as a rule of thumb. ``Some trees have a more aggressive root system, while others have a minor root system.''

Also, roots can be tamed by installing ``root barriers,'' that is, underground containers that force roots to grow downward rather than laterally.

Local growers also can assist homeowners in choosing trees to best survive the microclimates of their particular neighborhoods.

As a general rule, low-lying valley areas that have less air movement and trap cold pockets are more prone to frost and give cold-sensitive trees less chance at survival; homes upslope from valley floors or on hilltops get more exposure to warm air currents that time of year, advised Arntzen.

Pines - which help create the feel of a mountain retreat - are safe bets as they withstand both heat and cold.

The albizia julibrissin or silk tree - a deciduous to semi-evergreen with ferny-leafed branches - is another versatile tree that's popular for Southern California inland valleys. This variety also makes an excellent small shade tree and blossoms with pink, fluffy flowers during summers, says Arntzen.

Additionally, homeowners should consider maintenance and aesthetics.

Mineo says planting a ``messy'' tree in an inappropriate spot is another common mistake.

Landscapers should keep olive and fruit trees that shed flowers and fruit far from pools, he notes.

And redwoods - which shed stubborn reddish-brown stains - can discolor pool water and stain patio furniture, wood decks and concrete structures permanently.

Follow these basic guiding principles when shopping around, and you're less likely see expensive maintenance and repairs years later when your new trees mature.

TREE PLANTING TIPS

After picking that perfect tree, the second challenge is making sure it gets off to a good start.

Follow these simple planting tips and consult your nursery expert for any special care your tree variety might require:

1. There's no time like the present to plant trees, with May and June being prime planting time before summer's extreme temperatures arrive.

2. Dig a hole two times the width and nearly two times the depth of the tree's container. Fill the dug hole halfway with humus. Add gypsite and fertilizer according to the following measurements:

CONTAINER SIZE GYPSITE GRANULAR FERTILIZER

1 gallon 1 handful 1 teaspoon

5 gallon 2 handfuls 2 tablespoons

15 gallons 4-6 handfuls 1/2 cup

3. Mix thoroughly with half the soil dug from hole, to create a mix of 50 percent soil and 50 percent conditioners. For citrus and avocado trees, create mix using 1/3 humus, 1/3 sand and 1/3 soil, in addition to gypsite and fertilizer.

4. Compact mix with hand.

5. Remove tree from container. Scratch roots.

6. Place plant in hole, making sure plant's soil level is 1/4-inch above ground level. Backfill sides with same 50-50 mix.

7. Create water basin around the plant, wide enough to catch drip falling from outermost leaves. Treat plant with vitamin B-1 and water, with one tablespoon of B-1 per gallon of water.

8. After planting, follow nursery's watering instructions.

- Source: Chatsworth Garden Nursery and Custom Landscaping, 10538 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth.

CAPTION(S):

10 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) Know how to choose the right tree for your yard, or you could find yourself out on a limb

(2 -- color) This Italian stone tree, an evergreen, can provide a shady, needle-leaf canopy 32 to 50 feet above ground.

(3 -- 4 -- color) California sycamores, as pictured, above left, at Boething Treeland Farms Inc. in Woodland Hills, can be striking additions to outdoor landscapes with careful pruning. Above right, besides giving that feel of a Rocky Mountain retreat, needle trees provide shade and good privacy screening year-round.

(5 -- color) The Brazilian pepper tree, a leafy evergreen, is moderately sized at maturity and provides good shade year-round, but its invasive root system needs plenty of room to grow.

(6 -- color) Fruit trees remain popular in the Southland. They make good ornamental shade trees and provide that annual bonus.

(7 -- 10 -- color) From left: The first step in planting a tree is to prepare a hole to accommodate its base. Then, humus, gypsite and granular fertilizer are added to the soil and the tree is placed in the ground. The items needed to successfully plant most trees are readily available at local nurseries.

David Crane/Staff Photographer

Box: TREE-PLANTING TIPS (See text)