Trees for Your Landscape

Planting a tree on your property can increase the value of your home and provide many benefits to you and your home. Trees provide shade, privacy and beauty. Trees can also help lower your electricity bill by providing shade on your home, which will work to keep your house cooler in the summer. A cooler house translates into less need to run your air conditioner. Before You Start Before you select a tree for your yard, consider the following: •    How large will the tree be at maturity? •    Is the tree species known to attract pests such as termites?    •    Will the tree affect the other plantings in the yard when it reaches maturity? •    How much maintenance is required? •    Do you want a summer or spring bloom? Common Residential Trees: Magnolia Trees Magnolia trees bloom full and pretty. There are few types of magnolia trees. Star magnolias bloom early in spring; Saucer magnolias bloom large, but later in the season. Fruit Trees Fruit trees are a great option for families. Be sure to explain to your children that lifecycle of a fruit tree and that it may take a few years to see fruit. However, after the first few initial years, the benefits of a fruit tree are wonderful. Apple trees are one of the nicest blooming fruit trees as well as lemon trees. Check with a local gardener to learn what types of fruit trees grow successfully in your area. Dogwood Trees Dogwood trees are known for their year-round beauty. They bloom in spring and have full foliage in the fall. In the summer, the trees produce a unique branching pattern. Birds favor dogwood trees and tend to flock to them. If you are a bird lover, a dogwood tree is an excellent option. Japanese Maple Trees One of the many trees in the maple family, the Japanese Maple tree provides lots of shade and experience full-bloom in the summer. tree image Dwarf Alberta Spruce Trees Dwarf Alberta spruce trees are commonly planted along the entryway or driveway of a home. They are often planted in pairs to achieve a formal, balanced look. As their name implies, they are short trees, even at full maturity. Arborvitae Trees Arborvitae trees are a type of evergreen and are commonly used to create a privacy wall between properties. Additional Tree Benefits: •    Provides privacy around your property. •    Protects your home from the wind •    Provides shade. •    Fun for kids to climb on.