Ed
Perry
Environmental Horticulture Farm
Advisor
University of California Cooperative
Extension
It’s a
well-known fact that trees, shrubs, lawn and other landscape plants add much
value to your property. According
to Diane Relf, Environmental Horticulture Specialist at Virginia Tech
Cooperative Extension, landscaping is also one of the most cost-effective ways
to enhance and sustain the quality of our environment. These benefits are possible whether you
live in the city, the suburbs, or the country. In a Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension
publication entitled “The Value of Landscaping” (Publication Number 426-721,
revised 2001), Relf explains that increasing research is documenting the depth
to which we benefit from plants.
Relf
writes that some of the environmental benefits provided by landscape plants
include:
- Plants
Protect Water Quality: Proper landscaping reduces nitrate leaching from the
soil into ground water. Plants
also reduce surface water runoff, keeping phosphorus and other pollutants out
of our waterways and preventing septic system overload.
- Proper
Landscaping Reduces Soil Erosion: A dense cover of plants and mulch holds soil
in place, keeping sediment out of lakes, streams, storm drains and roads, and
reducing flooding, mudslides, and dust storms.
- Plants
Improve Air Quality: One tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere annually, equaling 11,000 miles of car emissions. Landscape plants, including shrubs and
turf, remove smoke, dust, and other pollutants from the air. One study showed that 1 acre of trees
has the ability to remove 13 tons of particles and gases
annually.
- Landscaping
Lowers Summer Air Temperatures: According to the EPA, urban forests reduce
urban air temperatures significantly by shading heat sinks (places where heat
collects or builds up), such as buildings and concrete, and returning humidity
to the air through evaporative cooling.
Trees shading homes can reduce attic temperatures as much as 40
degrees.
- Landscaping
Conserves Natural Resources: Properly placed deciduous trees reduce house
temperatures in the summer, allowing air conditioning units to run 2 to 4
percent more efficiently.
Deciduous trees also allow the sun to warm the house in the winter.
Homes sheltered by evergreen windbreaks can reduce winter heat loss and are
generally warmer than homes without such protection. By using trees to modify temperatures
and protect against wind, the amount of fossil fuels used for cooling and
heating is reduced.
- Landscaping
Screens Busy Streets: Well-placed plantings offer privacy and tranquility by
screening out busy street noises and reducing glare from
headlights.
Your
home landscape will look most attractive and serve you best if you carefully
plan and maintain your trees and shrubs.
A well-planned landscape will help with energy efficiency as well as
providing other benefits for you, such as beautifying your yard, providing a
habitat for birds and other wildlife and providing shade and wind protection for
your outdoor activities. And don’t
forget, a nice landscape also improves the value of your
property!