This is the fun part, where your planning and work pay off. Before deciding on a planting site, consider the possible effects of moving a plant to the area. Will the plant be too successful and crowd out what is already growing? Can you transplant and not damage roots of existing plants? Are you meeting the growing needs of the plant (amount of sunlight, water, soil conditions) so that the plant will be healthy? Are you going to run into conflicts with other people using the area, such as local farmers? Certain plants are hosts to rusts and diseases that can affect farm crops, while other plants can become invasive in fields. Do you want to produce hardwood lumber for a future harvest? Here are some potential uses, with suitable species:

1. STREAMSIDE RESTORATION

How many of us have seen a favourite stream go from prime fishing habitat to silted, sluggish brook. These areas should be rich in wildlife, yet often are severely degraded. To restore badly eroded and silted streams, you will often need to plant willow and alder along the banks. These species grow quickly under difficult conditions and their roots help stabilize the soil. Once the stream banks are more secure and the shrubs are providing shade, under-plant a species such as yellow birch. Trees and shrubs planted in floodplains often have to tolerate wet conditions. Eastern white cedar, balsam poplar, black ash, red maple, black spruce, red ash and others suit this purpose. Know how each species likes to grow some tolerate shade, while others prefer full sunlight.

2. URBAN LANDSCAPING

Trees can help convert unused and degraded urban areas into ecologically healthy and diverse parks, nature trails and "green spaces"; provide beauty and shade and reduce air pollutants. Red oak and white birch are excellent choices for city plantings, as park trees or planted along streets. Sugar maple, white pine, red spruce and eastern hemlock are other trees that do well in urban situations such as recreation or natural areas. Shrubs such as alternate leaf dogwood and mountain ash beautify areas and attract desirable wildlife. Red berried elder and common elderberry make effective plantings in July, the scarlet berries of the elder and the white flowers of the elderberry contrast with the dense green foliage.

3. SOIL PROTECTION AND CROP IMPROVEMENT

In rural areas, windbreaks and hedgerows slow the wind and help prevent soil erosion by wind and water. They also have a positive effect on crops, with yield increases of 5-40% commonly reported. Mixed plantings of conifers and deciduous species will also attract beneficial birds and insects. Species often used in these types of plantings include white spruce, red pine, eastern white cedar, mountain ash, serviceberry, hobblebush, honeysuckle and willow.

4. ENERGY CONSERVATION

Sugar maple, red oak or white ash provide summer shade and reduce cooling costs when planted to the south of your home. Plant a windbreak with conifers and shrubs along the north side of your house to block prevailing winds and lower heating bills. A well planned shelter-belt can also prevent snow from piling up around the house and on the driveway.

5. RESTORATION OF DEGRADED FORESTS

Across much of the province, forests have been simplified and important components may be missing even in mixed wood stands. Under-plant red spruce, yellow birch, Sugar maple, white pine, and/or eastern hemlock, at rates of 5-20/acre (12-50/ha). In stands that are primarily white spruce, create small openings and plant red oak and white ash. Yellow birch and sugar maple grow well if other trees provide shade. Add rare species such as ironwood, hobblebush and witch hazel where appropriate.

6. WILDLIFE ENHANCEMENT

While all trees and shrubs have value for wildlife, certain species are favoured over others. They may provide food for rarer types of birds; offer a food source throughout winter; blossom early; or provide dense cover for small mammals. Plant both deciduous and coniferous species, from low shrubs to tall trees. Learn about needs of birds and mammals you want to attract. Eastern white cedar and red berried elder attract cedar waxwings, while hawthorns form a dense, thorny growth that provides a safe haven for many smaller birds. Conifers are excellent wildlife trees, especially mixed with other species. Choke cherry, serviceberry, wild raisin, willow, mountain ash, red osier dogwood, beaked hazelnut and wild rose are also beneficial.

7. REDUCING GLOBAL WARMING

Windbreaks and other energy saving plantings save money and reduce the amount of fossil fuel burned to heat or cool homes and offices. This reduction means less carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming, is released into the atmosphere. Trees also remove carbon dioxide from the air as they grow and release oxygen. Planting a mix of native trees and shrubs is an environmentally sound way to achieve this goal.