This may seem like a bit of an abstract topic, but bare with me. Trees make up the foundations of many properties, not just Equine ones. Planning out the planting of new trees on a property can really help give them the best opportunity at being an asset, rather than a hinderance.
When establishing anything new and large scale on a property, there is only ‘One bite of the cherry’. Trees are not easy or cheap to have to move or replace once they have been planted. Any existing trees on a property don’t really come with the option to fully plan out their future existence, however new ones do. The position, whether they are deciduous or evergreen, the species, the height and perhaps quantity are all factors that need to be considered prior to planting day.
One of the most obvious benefits of having trees on an equine property is shade! A tree placed in the right place in a paddock, or a group of them around an arena or paddock, provide great shade to both horses and humans. There are many properties that don’t have trees or many, and that’s ok if they aren’t viable because there are other options for providing shade.
Trees really help to showcase a property, and present your business or even just your home in it’s best light. Even potted trees at entrances of barns or houses, really help to add a touch of leafy attractiveness. However with beauty comes maintenance! Particularly at this time of year, when all the Autumn leaves from the deciduous trees are falling, and they need to be regularly raked up. Trees break in storms, and their branches sometimes fall and create destruction on what they hit. Roots can sometimes grow in very inconvenient places, and require removal.
Despite all the destruction, trees will stay with a property for many years to come. Some trees will have special meanings of memories, milestones and memorials, and all trees will generally allow for a philosophy to be left for future generations or future owners of the property.
Trees like anything have their pros and cons, but if they are planned out well, and maintained, they will make your property sing, and remind you on days when the skies are glum, that you are truly lucky to have them part of your lives.
Feature Image courtesy of Living Equine, of Bart’s Farm ©
– Skye Pickering Dip. Horse Business Management.