A Property's Value Can Grow on Its Trees

· Check the lay of the land. Contours add interest to a property. Two concerns with residential topography are drainage and frost pockets. If a grade doesn't take water off the property, you will have puddling, and maybe a wet basement if the contour sends rain flowing against the house wall. Water must be directed away from structures. Frost pockets can form in low areas because cold air flows downhill. Therefore, if a home is sited low, it could be the coldest part of the property or neighborhood.

· Find the boundaries. A survey can confirm if the property stakes are in place. If boundary lines aren't marked, you might have to pay for a complete survey. Finding the lines also tells you if the neighbors are respectful of the property by staying within their boundaries and not using a little of your lot for their shed.

· Visit the property after dark to check lighting. Is it lighted for safety? You can rework the lights for accents, but you might find that you have to do something about public spaces or neighbors' lights shining into the home's windows.

· Take a shovel to the property, if the owner allows. Dig up a little soil and have it tested at a garden center or cooperative extension. It would be beneficial to know the pH and texture of the soil. You can always improve it. If you find a lot of shale and a shovel won't penetrate, you will have a challenge ahead. On the flip side, you could get good news and learn that it's a well-drained mix of loam and organic material with a pH of about 6.5.

· After you move in, live with your landscape for a minimum of a year to watch the plants perform and to learn about what you are looking at. You might find a hidden treasure. I see "problems" that a homeowner is having, such as moss in the lawn, as an asset. Encourage the moss carpet with an application of iron sulfate, or aluminum sulfate, which is faster acting but less available.

During your observations, continue controlling what you know are weeds and preserve plants that show promise. Because of the ephemeral nature of some plants, it takes a year or two to notice some of them.

If the circulation pattern to enter the house or park your car is not clear or comfortable, you might want to do a landscape redesign. Check the walks, patio and driveway for loose masonry and cracks. It might have to be redone in several years, and paving can be expensive, depending on its scale.

Irrigation systems are pluses for gardens, as long as they are in good working order and installed sensibly. Confusing networks of hoses, tubes and valves are worse than not having irrigation, especially if there are no records of how systems are placed. Before you purchase a home with irrigation, get service guidelines and a layout.

If you don't wish to do the inspection yourself, hire an experienced landscape professional. Call landscape architects, contractors or designers and see if they will consult. For advice in specific areas, the following specialists can help:

To locate a consulting arborist who does not perform pruning services and therefore will offer you unbiased information on tree care, use the American Society of Consulting Arborists online referral directory at http://www.asca-consultants.org/ . Call 301-947-0483 for more information.

Schedule a drainage consultation with a professional. Check your Yellow Pages under environmental, civil, soil or other engineering specialty that meets your requirements. Excess water and drainage issues are also a concern of soil conservationists. Get more information through the Natural Resources Conservation Service at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/partners/for_homeowners.html .

For information on irrigation, look in the Yellow Pages under irrigation consultants or irrigation systems and equipment.

Joel M. Lerner is president of Environmental Design in Capitol View Park, Md. E-mail or contact him through his Web site,http://www.gardenlerner.com.