The Incredible Versatility And Benefits Of Planting Trees In Your Landscape
With the unfortunate trend of developers either cutting down trees in a wholesale manner or building homes on treeless fields the property owner must usually begin with nothing when it comes to trees. Architects agree that even a single shade tree of medium height can make a great difference in the overall comfort and the livability of a home.
It is no less than amazing to discover what a tree can do for a home. For example a tree in leaf can reduce noise from the street. If a tree is tall enough to throw shade over the roof it can materially reduce summer heat in a home. Trees can reduce the amount of dust around a house and provide protection from winds.
Trees remove air pollutants making the air quality better. In groups plants act as giant water filtration system. Trees can reduce attic temperatures, and a well-planned landscape can reduce a home’s air conditioning costs by 15% to 50% according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In the winter, trees, fences, or geographical features can be used as windbreaks to shield your house from the wind reducing the wind chill factor.
In South Dakota a study found that windbreaks created to the north, west, and east of houses cut fuel consumption an average of 40%. Even houses with windbreaks placed only on the windward side (the side from which the prevailing wind is coming) averaged 25% less fuel consumption than similar but unprotected homes. If you live in a windy climate, a well-planned landscape can reduce winter heating bills by approximately one-third.
Tree planting and climate-appropriate landscaping also offers substantial benefits to the environment. Trees and vegetation control erosion, provide food, protect water supplies, create wildlife habitat, and clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Then there are the things that shrubs and trees can do to improve the appearance of your house itself. Properly situated, they can alter the lines of your house giving a small house dignity; or reducing the ungainly height of a tall house. They can soften the lines of a new house and provide welcome contrasts in texture and color.
Of course, one should plan from the beginning to plant trees that will harmonize with the colors of your house, as well as suit its architectural style.
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Tags: gardening, health benefits, home, house, landscape, landscaping, planting, saving energy, tree
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