Also, if you are considering fruit trees and live near an orchard, have a chat with the farmer. Some varieties are more prone to diseases than others; planting a variety that is not disease-resistant might hamper the local farmers's efforts to eradicate those diseases.

Our Gemeinde has banned certain kinds of trees and shrubs, due to the outbreak of Feuerbrand a few years ago - check with your Gemeinde, they are usually very helpful about that sort of thing.

Our canton has very strict height limits and set-backs for trees and hedges, and the local preference is for no trees at all. Trees have been the subject of many a neighborhood dispute, a couple of lawsuits, and at least one tree-poisoning incident around here. As others have mentioned, do have a chat with your neighbors before planting - you could save yourself years of misery.

And just an FYI, despite the strict rules, there is also a 5 year complaint limit. A neighbor must lodge an objection to your tree within 5 years of planing in order to force you to cut it down. If he/she does not do so within 5 years, the tree is allowed to stand. However, the height limits are always in force; one will be required to keep the tree pruned t to the limit (8 or 12 meters, depending on placement) at all times.