The decision to plant a tree is something that can provide you with a sense of accomplishment and something to admire for decades. However, it is not a decision that should be made without some careful consideration.
The more common motivations for planting trees are to produce shade, add aesthetic value to your landscape, define a property boundary or provide a windbreak. Trees planted in locations that shade homes or block the prevailing winter winds can decrease the amount of energy that is consumed to heat and cool a home.
The soil that a tree is planted in is very important and often overlooked. The moisture requirements of tree are also an important consideration. Some trees are more prone than others to diseases and pests; native trees have better disease and pest resistance, but how a tree is planted and the site that it is planted in can affect its overall health. Trees that become diseased are often attacked by insects (pests). This is because the disease weakens the tree’s defenses, making it vulnerable to infestation by pests. Sometimes trees are cultivated to exploit specific traits. Sometimes you can find trees at your local nursery that are bred because they show a natural resistance to diseases or pests.
One of the most tragic things that can be done to your new tree is planting it too close to utility lines, to a home or other structure. If the wrong tree is placed too close to a structure, that tree will endure a lifetime of corrective pruning and will end up looking disfigured and become more prone to disease and structural issues.
The biggest risk to interfering with underground lines exists at the time of planting. Never assume that your underground utilities are buried deep enough that you will not disturb them by digging.
It is also important to keep in mind that the root of your tree will spread out along the ground in all directions at a distance that is close to the mature height of your tree. This is important because the root system could be damaged if the line needs to be repaired.