The Benefits of Shade Trees for Your Property

Are you thinking about revamping your landscaping this summer? If you are, consider incorporating shade trees into your new yard. Discover 5 benefits shade trees can provide for you and which types of shade trees are the best for your yard.

1. Shade trees help cool your home

Beat the heat for years to come by planting shade trees around your home. Planting trees in your yard to help block your roof and windows from the sun can dramatically reduce the amount of sunlight your home receives. To use shade effectively, plant shrubs and ground cover around your home to absorb the harsh sun. As you are planting your trees, be aware of where your trees will cast their shadow. Shading your yard from east to west is the most common practice, but be conscious of the way your home is facing relative to the sun.

2. Foliage adds to the value of your property

Your current home may not be your forever home. Home buyers love to see mature foliage as part of the landscaping of a home. If you are considering to sell your home in the future, planting shade trees now could add some real value to your property. Yards become more attractive in the spring, summer, and fall, which are conveniently also peak home buying seasons.

3. Having trees in the yard are great for children

If you have kids or are thinking of having children, trees are great for the whole family to have fun under. Enjoy the shade of your trees by having an afternoon picnic or dinner in the grass. Allow the kids to play in the yard by hooking up a little swing for them to have fun on. Having trees in the yard will keep your children out of the sun and protect their skin from the harmful rays.

4. Planting trees increases the health of your yard

Having trees in your yard will increase the amount of water retention in the soil. In the summer time, this may be the saving grace for the lawn you have been sweating over for months now to make luscious and green. The extra bit of shade your lawn receives will prevent the water from evaporating and drying out so quickly.

5. Trees are good for the environment

Not only do shade trees benefit your home and the people in it, but they also contribute to the environment. Trees reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air around us and replace it with oxygen which is necessary for our survival. The roots of trees also stabilize the soil and help prevent the ground from washing away in severe rain storms. This ultimately contributes to improving soil quality and preventing soil erosion.

Top Shade Trees to Plant in Your Yard

If you are looking for the best and fastest growing types of shade trees for your yard, here are some of our recommendations for you!

• Tulip Poplars – fast growing shade tree perfect for both the front and back yard
• Royal Empress – this tree is among the fastest growing and also very beautiful in the spring
• American Red Maple – one of the prettiest shade trees which will fit in any part of your yard
• Weeping Willow – a very low maintenance tree that provides a lot of shade in just a few years of growth
• Northern Red Oak – perfect for acidic soil, the broad branches will create a great place for kids to play or swing
• ‘Green Vase’ Zelkova – this tree is great for small yards or along the sides/in front the front yard of a home
• American Sycamore – great for an urban yard that allows it some space to grow
• Eastern White Pine – an evergreen tree that will keep your property shaded all year long

If you are looking for other ways to improve the comfort of your home, read our blog post that covers 5 ways for you to have cleaner air in your home. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call!