| I happen to love landscape trees. They provide a | | | | they also allow the sun in during the winter, due |
| sense of scale in the landscape. They offer shade | | | | to the loss of their leaves at this time. So not |
| on a hot summer day. Trees also can provide | | | | only do they cool the home, but also provide |
| beautiful flowers, pretty leaves and great fall | | | | warmth. |
| color. The vibrancy of October Glory or Red | | | | Evergreen trees, if placed correctly, can be used |
| Sunset Red Maples is breathtaking at this time of | | | | as windbreaks, protecting homes and reducing |
| year. | | | | heat loss. Less fuel for heat is then needed. |
| However, there are many other reasons to | | | | Homes sheltered by evergreens are warmer in |
| include trees in your landscape. Ornamental, | | | | the winter months than those that are not. |
| evergreen and shade trees all enhance the | | | | Typically, evergreen trees should be placed so as |
| environment and provide cost savings in various | | | | to block the winter northwest winds. Evergreen |
| ways. | | | | trees are also a way to provide noise reduction |
| According to the American Public Power | | | | on your property. By utilizing them as a screen |
| Association, air conditioning costs can be reduced | | | | along a noisy street, they serve as a noise buffer. |
| by 50% by the use of trees. This is due to trees | | | | Trees also help with both water quality and |
| shading the windows and walls of a home. Large | | | | drainage issues. Tree roots absorbs undesirable |
| shrubs can also provide shade, but not to the | | | | elements from leaching into our water supplies. |
| extent that landscape trees do. | | | | They also absorb water runoff on properties. |
| The Environmental Protection Agency determined | | | | Landscape trees can also prevent soil erosion on |
| that trees shading homes can help cool attics | | | | slopes. In addition, flooding is often reduced. |
| tremendously. Actually attic temperatures can be | | | | And if these weren't enough reason to use trees |
| reduced as much as 40 degrees. Anyone who | | | | in the home landscape, consider the fact that |
| has been in a hot attic can appreciate this fact. | | | | they also serve as a shelter for wildlife, |
| While trees can offer shade in the hot months, | | | | particularly birds. |