Spring is almost here, which means it’s time to start thinking ahead to what you want to do with your yard this year. Of course, planting some lovely flowers or new shrubs are always great ideas. But if you want to do something for your yard that can make a big difference for your home, you might want to consider planting a tree or two in your yard. Out of all the gardening and landscaping options out there, trees offer some pretty remarkable benefits.
They Add Value to Your Home
When it comes to the value of your home, landscaping and gardening is kind of in an interesting position. Since your yard is the first thing people see when they look at your home, it’s important to keep your yard looking nice and neat. A poorly-maintained yard can absolutely make a home more challenging to sell. But, on the other hand, elaborate gardens don’t necessarily add value to a home.
Trees are an exception, though. Having mature trees in a yard that looks neat and well-maintained can help boost a home’s value by between 7% and 19%. They can do a lot to improve a home’s curb appeal, in turn helping it sell faster, and many homebuyers love the added privacy that mature trees can offer.
However, be aware that trees don’t necessarily offer an instant return on investment. Mature trees are the most desirable and it can take trees five to seven years to fully mature.
You Can Save on Energy Bills
When you live in an area where summers get really warm, you might assume running your air conditioner on a high setting all day is a given, especially if your home is situated in a way where you’ll get a lot of direct sunlight. But having mature trees in your yard can help provide shade for a home, making it possible for you to run your air conditioner less in the summer. They can also help shield your home from cold wind during the winter, helping it stay warmer naturally.
According to the USDA Forest Service, trees properly placed around buildings can help you save 30% on air conditioner usage and 20%-50% on heating.
Improved Air Quality
In addition to helping cut down on energy usage, planting trees can have a lot of other environmental benefits, particularly when it comes to improving air quality. Trees are very effective in absorbing carbon dioxide and reducing smog levels while producing more of the oxygen that we need to live. A healthy tree can produce an average of 260 pounds of oxygen every year while the average person consumes about 386 pounds of oxygen annually, so just one tree can produce over half of the oxygen a person consumes in a year.
They Can Help You Relax
Some studies have shown that trees have some very legitimate stress-relieving benefits. One study by Texas A&M University found that simply looking at trees helped reduce stress levels within just five minutes. Communities that have more trees planted in the have also been linked to lower crime rates and anxiety. Plus, it can be easier to relax and enjoy your home when you have the extra privacy that trees offer.
Before you start planting your trees, be sure to do your research to figure out which type of tree would work best in your yard. Some types of trees work better in certain climates than others, so you’ll want to make sure you pick a type of three that will thrive in your yard. Also, be sure to consider how a tree’s roots will grow and if they might cause any problems. Silver Maples, for example, have roots that tend to grow pretty shallowly, which can cause roots to pop up through lawns and disturb concrete. The last thing you want is for your beautiful new trees to cause problems for you later on.
