Benefits of Trees on Your Property

Planet Friendly

Everyone knows how important trees are to our planet, but often we overlook how important they can be to our community and our property. You don’t have to be a certified arborist to understand that trees filter the air that we breath or that trees provide much-needed shade on a hot day. You don’t have to be an urban forest planner to be aware that trees provide homes for our animal friends. You certainly don’t have to be anything other than an observant person to appreciate the beauty and majesty that trees add to any landscape. Those things and many more are obvious to most people, and they are without question things to think about the next time you are thinking about the trees on your property. But what else?

The simplest way to get the masses to understand the value of something is by attaching money to it, so here I go. Property values increase for a home that is landscaped and has mature trees. There is a caveat here – those trees and that landscape must be well-maintained to be valuable. Poorly maintained trees and landscape can often lower the value of a home. It is determined that a home with well-maintained landscape including mature trees can be 5-20% more valuable. Then there is the energy savings factor – homes with well-placed trees save heating costs in winter through blocking wind, and in summer savings are achieved when tree shade cools the home naturally.

Add Value

Trees reduce soil erosion while reducing water usage on lawns. It may not sound like a big deal, and for many properties it’s not a big deal. Some properties are established and flat, so the erosion of soil is less prevalent. Some are downslope from higher land that sends a lot of water naturally to their lawns and landscape. For other lots, the complicated and well-established root systems of trees do the important job of stabilizing the soil and preventing the rapid evaporation of water on plants and lawns. This keeps everything in your garden looking the way it should.

Trees are beautiful. It’s just a simple fact. They just make anything around them look better. They make entire neighbourhoods more appealing because neighbourhoods that are dense in tree population are just more valuable. Trees and shrubs are a great way to provide privacy to one’s property while still being prettier to look at than a fence. Mature trees can be home to beautiful property features like a treehouse or tree swing. All of these elements create a more positive social environment, while at the same time reducing pollution and improving air quality. It’s no wonder why people can be passionate about trees.

The next time you look at a tree or trees on your property or community, think of how good they are to us. When those trees need help, be sure to find a certified arborist and urban forest planner to service them. It’s the least we can do to protect the trees that bring us such benefits.