Is that tree right for your compound?

I grew up in Bukoto and our compound had two towering palm trees which explicitly beautified the compound. Although the palm trees shed heavy leaves every now and then, that was the least of our concerns. In the six years I saw the trees, they were not harmful in any way until one of them clogged a sewerage pipe in the ground.

One of the tree’s roots grew into the pipe thus blocking sewage water from flowing into the septic tank. It took a visit by National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) officers to sort out the problem. Without further delay, my aunt cut down the offending trees and the lesson we learnt was that not all trees are good for the compound.

CONSIDERATIONS
John Giribo, a sector manager with the National Forestry Authority (NFA) in charge of Lwamunda, says before one plants trees, the size of the compound should be consindered, the surroundings and above all, on one’s personal preference.

Giribo adds, “But the mistake most people make is copying how other people design their compounds instead of going with their inner personality and preference.” He advises that it is best for you to have a plan of how you want to design your compound before you go ahead to plant trees.

TREES TO OPT FOR
Trees that create beauty
The beauty of the tree could be derived in the shape and the colour of leaves of the tree. However Simon Kisaakye, the Client relations manager with Compound experts and cleaners says, “Trees should co-exist with the home owner’s other details like party hosting, children (shouldn’t be poisonous in nature) and unique like the sassafras and the Redbud.”

Fruit trees
John Giribo a sector manager National Forestry Authority (NFA) in charge of Lwamunda sector, says you can opt for fruit trees like mango, orange and avocado trees as these not only make the compound look beautiful, they also avail you with fruits seasonally. However, Giribo warns, “Fruit trees can become messy during the fruiting season.”

Trees that require less maintenance
It’s best for one to consider trees that require less maintenance like the dogwood It is also important to consider season and disease resistant plants.

Root-friendly plants are good
“Trees with tap roots are good to plant since their root emphasis is pointing down into the ground with less serious fibrous roots,” states Kisaakye. Trees with tap roots create no side effect to surroundings such as perimeter walls unlike the wildly fibrous roots that cause external damages to structures.

WRONG TREES
Trees for timber
Simon Kisaakye, the client relations manager with Compound Experts and Cleaners, discourages people from having trees like pine, brovellia, sygnus, mahogany, among other timber trees in their compound. He says these have a tendency to over grow into big uncontrollable sizes that don’t deserve to exist in domestic compounds.

However, Giribo explains, “If you have a big enough compound with enough space, why not have a mahogany? As long as the compound is big enough, one can have timber trees.”

Additionally, John Meddie Segane, a landscape designer with EI Designers, says trees like mahogany should not be anywhere near the house because it has deep roots. “However, if you have a large compound/land, then it should be at least between 30- 70 metres from the house or even more. This is possible if one has at least two acres of land or more but if you have a 50 by 100 feet plot of land, this is too small to contain a house and a mahogany.

Trees that shed heavily
Trees that frequently shed leaves make compound, maintenance difficult since it will require one to sweep it daily. Therefore, instead of having trees like the black walnut, Segane says, it is best to opt for a species that does not shed regularly like the avocado tree.
Kisaakye deems trees like palm trees that shed heavy branches dangerous to have in the compound especially since the branches can damage property like a parked car. “The eucalyptus often drops big, heavy, resin-filled branches. More so, its bark peels off annually adding to seasonal maintenance chores.”

Trees with a lot of pollen
Giribo also notes that it is advisable for one to consider which fruit tree they want to plant in the compound since some trees like fycus natalasis and Mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei) make the compound messy with pollen.
These at times cause severe allergic reactions to many people. He adds, “even if you don’t have allergies, planting any of these trees may affect your neighbours.”

Wild roots trees
Some trees have tap roots while others have roots that are fibrous in nature.
“Most trees with fibrous roots, like Ficus benjamina should not be planted in a small compound because with time, the tree roots spread wide just like their canopies and end up causing root related difficulties to the available structures. For example, a tree can cause cracks in the foundation of the house therefore trees with such roots should not be planted too close to the house.” Kisaakye explains.
According to Giribo, one should opt for trees with tap roots like Oak and Walnut which will dig downwards into the ground instead of those with roots that grow out.

Poisonous plants
Kisaakye says, “Poisonous plants and trees are dangerous for one to have in the compound since they can be dangerous if swallowed and sometimes they can cause skin irritation in case one comes into direct contact with them.”
Plants such as Agave and Asparagus among others deserve to be included in rock gardens, outside residential gates and not in the general compound where everyone has access.

Dealing with the wrong trees
•Timber trees planted in a small residential compound should be cut down and replaced with other plants.
•Trees with wild roots should be cut down before it’s too late or costly.
•Get rid of the poisonous species like Angel’s Wings also known as Caladium, Croton Dumb cane and English Ivy, around your home.
•De-congest the compound using the experts’ guidance. This is done by the experts or with their guidance in line with the owner’s intentions of planting.
•Start the compound project afresh in case it’s all messy. For example if the compound is mixed up, with timber trees or uncoordinated plants, poisonous species around, weeds eating up the gardens, diseases, pests and insects encroaching on the gardens, before experts come in.

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