Will your new yard be an oasis or a long-term headache?

New Englanders are a patient breed, having learned that spring will eventually arrive, no matter how cold and snowy the winter, or the bouts of March weather. Signs of nature’s return are all around us: Crocuses and daffodils bloom, buds swell, maples and willows bloom, migratory birds return, and meadows are filled with new green growth.

The connections between parks and the wildlife they support form the foundation of ecological communities. Plants provide shelter and food, in other words, a home in which wildlife can thrive. Think of a large, mature oak tree. It is a home with a special character and countless established relationships with its residents, who move in and sometimes move out.

Older trees are great for many reasons, but they require more regular preventative maintenance to ensure their longevity. In contrast, a newly planted tree has great future potential and fewer immediate maintenance concerns, but it will take time to become a trusted resource and member of the community.

The topic of this week’s column is what to look at when selling a home, and what to be aware of when buying a home – whether it’s new construction (fresh saplings) or an older home (mature oak).

Getting your garden ready should be part of the process of getting your home ready to be listed. Garden aesthetics range from formal forms with clipped hedges, straight lines and leaves out of place to wilder, more natural and freer forms. Often times, we associate cleanliness and tidiness with higher curb appeal, but this doesn’t have to be the case. In the gardening industry, there is a phrase “care cues” that suggests that even landscaping can be intentional. Keeping paths, paths and lawn areas clean and clear, complemented by well-defined bed edges, demonstrates intent and care for your garden, giving potential buyers confidence that the rest of the property is similarly managed.

For example, proactive pruning of trees and shrubs to remove dead, damaged or diseased limbs is a signal of care. This is especially important if you are selling an older home with established trees. Future homeowners want to enjoy the benefits of summer shade, lower energy costs, and the environmental value of your mature trees.

When purchasing a home, ask the seller about their tree care practices. Because trees and shrubs are long-lived, you should focus on their health when weighing the garden portion of your home buying decision. (Perennials are certainly important, too, but they’re easier to change than larger, woody plants. Think of trees as the structure or “bones” of the garden that you can embellish with herbaceous color and texture.)

Consider sight lines and whether existing plantings block your view from others or provide privacy. If the sellers are gardeners, most will be more than happy to talk about what they did, why, and what their garden means to them. You, of course, are under no obligation to follow their path, but context is helpful in understanding what you’re inheriting when you buy the home.

For new construction, research the placement and spacing of any newly planted trees. Often, trees are planted for their current appearance, not for how well they will grow over time. A tree planted too close to the foundation will only cause a headache for the homeowner later. Sewer lines and sewer lines or leach fields are another good item to look for when considering purchasing a home – remember that tree roots evolved to anchor trees and seek out water.

Another factor to consider in new construction is whether environmentally harmful plants have been installed as part of the subdivision’s landscaping. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) confirms. List of prohibited plantswhich now includes popular landscape plants such as Callery Pear trees and Chinese silver grass. These plants, along with others on the list, are damaging our forests, forests and natural spaces.

The meaning of community in its broadest sense includes not only human interactions, but also interactions with the natural world. Being a good neighbor today means more than friendly conversations at the garden gate; It also means environmental stewardship, as our garden choices impact the immediate neighborhood and beyond.

Whether you end up with a new home or an existing one, the garden will grow with you and, over time, become a reflection of your personality and values. Home ownership is a long-term investment, and is often the largest purchase most people will make in their lives. Gardens are also worthwhile investments because they provide a myriad of intangible benefits and are an integral part of the moving process from one home to another.

Ulrich Lorimer is director of horticulture at the Native Plant Trust in Framingham. Send your gardening questions, along with your name/initials and hometown, to [email protected]