| Most of us are aware that planting trees can help | | | | savings. Deciduous trees are preferred for this |
| boost the value of our homes, but did you know | | | | type of shading because they shade well during |
| that strategically placed trees can alleviate energy | | | | the summer and lose their leaves during the |
| costs year round? Not only does the presence of | | | | winter, allowing sunlight to pass through when it is |
| trees naturally cool the air through the process of | | | | desirable. |
| evapotranspiration, but trees can serve as both | | | | -Shade windows. Windows receiving direct sunlight |
| sources of shade and wind barriers to reduce the | | | | allow a lot of heat into a home, reducing energy |
| energy demands on your home. | | | | efficiency during the warm months. Special care |
| Although here we offer general suggestions as to | | | | should be taken to shade windows, especially |
| the placement and types of trees you may plant | | | | those facing east and west, without planting too |
| to reduce the energy costs in your home, it is | | | | close or sacrificing desirable views. |
| important to understand that many other factors | | | | -Shade concrete or asphalt. Because such |
| not addressed here must be considered in the | | | | surfaces absorb light and heat the surrounding |
| decision regarding where trees should be planted. | | | | area, paved areas, especially dark colored ones, |
| For example, trees must be planted appropriate | | | | should be shaded for maximum cooling around the |
| distances from buildings, concrete, power lines, air | | | | home. |
| conditioning units, underground cables as well as | | | | -Shade the air conditioning unit. Trees may also be |
| one another, and planting decisions should be | | | | planted to strategically shade outdoor air |
| made based on the type and mature size of the | | | | conditioning units. This gives the air conditioning |
| tree. It is advised to consult with or hire a | | | | unit cooler air from which to pull, saving energy. It |
| certified arborist prior to implementing any of | | | | is important to ensure that the air intake has |
| these suggestions. | | | | room for ventilation and does not become |
| The idea behind planting trees for the energy | | | | blocked. |
| benefits is to shade your home in the summer | | | | -Block winter winds. In addition to shading a home |
| and create a barrier to block the bulk of cold | | | | during the summer, trees can serve as a barrier |
| winter winds. The most effective approach to | | | | against cold winter winds and help reduce heating |
| strategic tree positioning is affected by the | | | | costs in a home. Evergreen trees such as spruces |
| environment in which you live. In the warm | | | | and firs are best for creating such barriers, which |
| climate of south Texas, for instance, shading a | | | | are called windbreaks. Windbreaks should be |
| home in the summer would take priority over | | | | positioned upwind of a home, often on the |
| blocking wind in the mild winters. Likewise, a | | | | northern side, in a straight or curved row. Be sure |
| homeowner in Canada would place more emphasis | | | | to verify the direction from which winter winds hit |
| on protecting against winter winds than shading | | | | your home, because features such as mountain |
| the home. Some tips for planting trees to reduce | | | | ranges can have an effect on wind direction. |
| energy costs are: | | | | Trees should be planted appropriate distances |
| -Shade the sides of your home receiving the | | | | from a home in order to effectively shade the |
| most direct sunlight. The east and west and, to a | | | | home, and the correct distance is determined by |
| lesser extent, south sides of your home receive | | | | the trees' mature heights and crown sizes. It is |
| the most sunlight. While some experts argue | | | | advised to consult with an experienced arborist |
| against planting shade trees on the southern end | | | | who is familiar with your local climate prior to |
| of a home, most agree that shading the east and | | | | planting trees at your home. |
| west sides of the home can result in true energy | | | | |