TREES IN THE HOME LANDSCAPE

Trees in the Home Landscape

Trees add so much to the home landscape! They provide shade, clean air,
habitat for wildlife, value to your property, and even memories.

If your yard does not 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. Even if you do not intend to sell your
property, trees can provide years of enjoyment. If you have trees in
your yard, check to see that they are healthy. If they are near the end
of their life expectancy or show signs of decline, you may want to
plant new trees that will become established before the old trees are
removed.

If properly located and planted, trees can help control energy costs. 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.

Have 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.

Trees 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 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 may
seem like a chore as you get older, jumping in piles of leaves can be a
treat for children. Hanging a swing, building a tree house, or simply
relaxing under the shade of a tree on a hot summer day can be a
memorable experience.