• Decide where you will plant the tree. Note the soil type and drainage patterns for your chosen location. Observe how much light the area gets, and take note of potential obstacles (overhead wires, buildings) that may pose a problem as the tree grows.

• The best time to plant a tree is early spring or late fall. Evergreens should be planted in the spring.

• Buy native local stock from reliable nurseries with knowledgeable staff. Bring this guide to the nursery and ask questions of the staff about the soil and light requirements for each tree species

• Look for trees with good foliage colour and full-sized, pliable yet firm leaves.

• Select trees with a well developed leader and straight trunk. Branches should be well spaced and evenly distributed on all sides of the leader.

• If you are buying a tree in the early spring, most deciduous trees will be dormant. Branches should be flexible and buds should be swollen and plump. The tree's previous growth can be checked by observing the bud scars on the branches. Very little growth between scars (less than 4 inches) is a sign of a tree in trouble.

• Avoid trees that appear too large for their container. This may be an indication that the tree is pot bound.

• To check for well-rooted plants, grasp the trunk of the tree near the base and try to move the tree in the container. Well-rooted plants should not create a hole in the soil when the stem is shaken.

adapted from information from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln