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Escaping from the hot sun by running under the shade of a large tree is proof trees are nature's air conditioners. In fact, trees can lower the temperature of a parking lot by up to 25 degrees when compared to the nearby blacktop.

Yet, besides the comfort trees provide us, by planting trees around our homes is a great way to lower energy bills, beautify your property, increase the value of your home value, lower the noise level of the neighborhood and provide some much needed urban environment (habitat) for our feathered friends.

According to the Department of Energy (DOE) adding trees to your property can save up to $250 per year in energy costs. A complete landscaping of your property can cut utility bills by 25%. Trees can cool in the summer and protect homes from harsh winter winds. Trees also add beneficial water vapor used by man, plants and animals alike.

Before running out and planting around your home there is some required homework that is recommended. The Solar Energy Research Educational Foundation recommends you observe the orientation of your home to the sun as well as the intensity and common direction of the wind around your property.

They recommend planting trees and shrubs that shade as much of the roof, walls and windows as possible on the east and west sides of your home. The key here is to know your trees and shrubs BEFORE you plant them. What are the individual heights at maturity of the trees you are considering as well as their mature shape. A short tree for a two story home will not provide the shading desired. Some trees are more dense than others which means a more dense tree will block more direct sunlight. And the size of the "crown" (the spread of the limbs from the trunk of the tree at maturity) is something to be considered for the location before you plant.

Do not plant trees too close to your home! Know the mature size of the tree you wish to plant and make sure it is planted far enough away from your home so that at maturity it will not touch your roof, gutters or siding and cause damage.

If you are looking to cut winter heating bills, trees can also help. Evergreen trees on the north and northeast sides of a home can create wind barriers and block the cold, winter winds. Shrubs, bushes and vines planted next to a house can also add as natural insulation for a home. Be aware that too much of a good thing is not beneficial, especially if you block the view of your home to the extent you have provided a haven for burglars.

While the energy savings and the comfort provided by trees and other landscaping is wonderful, this is not the end to the benefits from taking the extra effort on the exterior of your home. A research study at Clemson University lists maintaining beautiful landscaping as a cost-efficient way to increase the value of a home. The study showed houses which received an "excellent" rating from a local landscaping professional could expect to sell for a price six to seven percent higher than equivalent houses with a "good" landscape rating. In fact, the study showed improving a rating from "average" to "good" raised the home premium about five percent.

You can contact the National Arborist Association (NAA), a public and professional resource on trees and arboriculture, to find a local arborist. The NAA has more than 2,900 company-owning members who recognize stringent safety and performance standards and are required to carry liability insurance. You can find a tree care service provider by calling 1-800-733-2622 or by visiting the NAA website for a zip code search. Good luck!

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