Planting Trees in the Home LandscapePlanting trees adds so much to the home and garden landscape. They provide shade, privacy, clean air, habitat for wildlife, and can add value to your property. Trees Add ValueIf your yard doesn’t have any trees at the moment, you may want to consider planting some.Studies have shown that trees and landscaping add value to your property. Adding curb appeal with front yard landscaping can help you sell your house faster. Even if you don’t intend to sell your property now, trees can provide years of enjoyment. If you have trees in your yard, check to see that they are healthy. If they’re near the end of their life expectancy or show signs of damage or decline, you may want to plant new trees that will become established before the old trees are removed. Plant Trees to Conserve EnergyProperly located and planted, trees can help conserve energy costs.According to the US Dept of Agriculture, the net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. A large shade tree planted on the southwest side of the house can provide cooling shade in the summer, helping reduce air conditioning costs. Once the leaves drop in the fall, the winter sun is free to warm your house on cold winter days. Evergreen trees, planted to block cold winter winds, can help reduce winter heating costs. Reduce Greenhouse GasesHave you wondered what you could do to reduce greenhouse gases and address global warming? Planting trees will help!One of the greenhouse gases causing the most concern is carbon dioxide. Plants take this gas out of the air and use it in photosynthesis. Carbon is stored in the wood and living tissues of trees. When leaves fall and are composted , carbon is added to the soil. This improves the soil for plant growth and stores more of the carbon in the form of soil organic matter. Carbon can be stored for hundreds of years in the trunks of trees or in the form of lumber, furniture, and other wood products. By planting trees in your yard, you can help reduce greenhouse gases.
Create a Wildlife HabitatTrees also provide shelter and food for a variety of wildlife. While installing bird feeders will help attract birds to your yard, providing them with nearby trees and shrubs to escape danger, build nests, and obtain food, will be even more effective.Squirrels and other small mammals use trees for nesting sites and food sources. When selecting trees, consider what food value they may offer to the wildlife in your community. Trees Make MemoriesTrees can offer years of enjoyment. Planting trees and watching them grow can be part of your family's memories. Consider planting a tree to commemorate a milestone in your family's life.While raking leaves can seem like a back-breaking chore as you get older, jumping in piles of leaves can be a treat for kids. Hang a swing, build a tree house, or simply relaxing under the shade of a tree on a hot summer day- and savor the memory all winter long. Pruning ang Planting TreesFor more information on trees including pruning and planting- visit these great websites www.treesaregood.org. arborday.org
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