Trees are essential for our environment, and everyone needs to plant at least one in their lifetime. They purify the air around your home and increase the value of your property. Trees also provide food and shelter for animals while preventing soil erosion. They can block noise and transform your home into a serene space. If you are renovating your landscape, adding trees can be beneficial to you.
Trees have numerous benefits. Keep reading to know why you can add trees to your landscape.
They Look Good
Trees look beautiful, and some produce attractive flowers that add to the aesthetic appeal of the landscape. Their seasonal variations add to their elegance, and with time, the trees can become landmarks.
They Provide Shade and Act as Wind Breakers
Tree shade can help cool the house during summer if you plant them on the south side of the house. A cooler house means you spend less money on air conditioning. Trees can also help provide shade when you are outdoors. Having trees in your compound can help break wind and reduce cold air from reaching your home, which can lower heating costs during cold seasons.
Reduce Air and Noise Pollution
You know that trees convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. Trees also purify the air by getting rid of air pollutants. If you live in a noisy place, you can consider planting conifer trees if you want some peace and quiet. Trees are natural noise buffers that can reduce the noise in your home.
Prevent Soil Erosion
Trees can prevent soil erosion by reducing the strength of raindrops and wind on land. Having several trees in your compound can help you keep the soil in place. If you have a garden, you can consider planting trees to help the vegetation stay in place.
Increase Property Value
Having trees makes your landscape more attractive, and increases the property value. If you plant some tree species, the property automatically appreciates.
Wildlife Habitat
If you love animals, then you will want to have trees in your compound. Trees are natural habitats for birds and small critters. Get an outdoor camping experience by having birds wake you with their chirps. If your interest is in insects, you will enjoy having trees as several insect species thrive on trees.
Emotional and Social Value
Trees can help you connect to nature, as well as improve your mental and emotional well-being. If you love having social events, you can have picnics with your friends and families under the trees. If you have children, they will be happy to have a swing under the trees.
Personally planting trees can give you a sense of fulfillment. Once the tree grows up, you can recount all your memories and pass them on. Planting trees is an excellent way to remember your loved ones.
Architectural Support
Trees can become the backbone of your landscape as they create roofs and walls for outdoor spaces. Depending on your creativity, you can use trees to create beautiful spaces. For instance, if you have vase-shaped trees, you can create a space that appears like it has a cathedral ceiling.
Food and Wood
Trees provide healthy fruits for your diet. By planting fruit trees, you are sure to get more benefits than just shade. You can provide your family with fruit, as well as providing sustenance to birds and other animals. It also feels good eating the fruits of your labor.
The wood you get from chopping off overgrown branches can be good firewood for use in winter. You can also plant trees to get wood from them. However, be sure to replace the trees you have cut.
How to Choose the Best Trees for Your Landscape
Knowing the importance of having trees in your compound, you might think about how to get started. Here is how you can choose the best trees to plant:
- You need to look at the growing space. You should look at the space the tree will occupy. As a tree grows, it will become bigger, and this can affect the surrounding areas.
- The type of tree also matters. Small trees are mainly ornamental and do not grow taller than 20 feet or wider than 10/20 feet. If you want a shade tree, you should have enough space, as they are large trees that grow up to 30 feet tall and 60 feet wide. However, you can have a tree that is both ornamental and provides shade since there are trees bred for that specific goal.
- You need to consider your landscape needs. What is the purpose of the tree? Is it to block wind and noise, prevent soil erosion in your garden, or create an outdoor space? Knowing the purpose of your tree will help you determine the type of space you need.
- You need to consider the climate in the area you live in. if your area has harsh winters, you need to plant trees that can withstand very cold weather. The soil type and water requirements are also necessary, if you do not want your trees to die shortly after planting them.
If you want a tree that contributes to your winter landscape, you can consider getting deciduous trees. They shed their leaves during fall and have a different look in winter. For privacy throughout the year, you are better off with evergreen trees.
- You need to think about your outdoor needs. If your goal is to have an outdoor patio, you need to choose trees that do not shed too much. Expect things to be messy since trees will always drop twigs, leaves, flowers, fruits, and even seeds. You have to consider pathways and proximity to the fence. The trees you choose must coexist with you.
Final Thoughts
Trees are essential to the environment and are crucial to the world’s survival. Without trees, the world will be a worse place to live. With all the good things they do, trees are a must-have for any landscape. If you want to spruce up your landscape, consider getting a few trees and see the changes they will bring. From fresh air to shade, you have plenty of choice when it comes to trees for your landscape.