| First take a look at your house and determine | | | | Make sure that the tree is far enough away from |
| how your house is orientated to the sun. In the | | | | the house so that when the tree is mature |
| winter, most of the sun's heat will be generated | | | | animals cannot use the tree as a way of entering |
| from the south. During the summer this changes | | | | your attic. Also you will want to be mindful of |
| and the most heat is generated from the | | | | leaves clogging the gutters. If the total spread of |
| southwest. It is important so you can strategically | | | | the mature tree is 50 feet, then the limbs will |
| plant your trees, so the tree blocks the majority | | | | spread 25 feet in each direction when the tree is |
| of the sun's rays in the summer while minimizing | | | | mature. You will want a space of at least 15-20 |
| blocking the sun's rays in the winter. | | | | feet from the house to the tip of the branch |
| Next, you should choose what kind of tree you | | | | spread of a mature tree. Remember, that air |
| want. Ideally you will want a tree that creates a | | | | circulation is as important as shade when keeping |
| dense shade and grows very tall; preferably | | | | the house cool. |
| 60feet +, which a spread of over 25 feet. One | | | | Another thing to consider when planting such a |
| thing to keep in mind is that during the hottest | | | | large tree is that the root system will also |
| part of the summer, the mature tree will create a | | | | become very large. Make sure that the tree is far |
| shadow at 4 p.m. that's as long as the tree is tall. | | | | enough from any septic lines, drain tiles, and |
| Generally, the southwest or southeast side of the | | | | foundations, as this can create problems down |
| house is the best location for a shade tree. | | | | the road. |