Incorporating trees into your landscaping offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing the beauty of our landscapes to positively contributing to our environment. Trees provide shade, reduce energy costs, support local wildlife, increase property values, and so much more. Explore the many advantages of incorporating trees into your landscaping and start contributing to a greener, more sustainable community, all while enjoying the unique beauty they have to offer.
Benefits of Planting Trees
There are many reasons to plant trees, from their aesthetic appeal to their environmental contributions and more. Here are some of the top benefits of planting trees here in Northern Colorado.
1. Trees Provide Shade
Have you ever visited a park on a hot summer day and relished the refreshing shade of a towering tree? Or sat on your back porch during the heat of the day, shielded by a tree in your yard? Trees are often planted for the shade they provide, and while this may seem like a simple pleasure, it serves a very practical and useful purpose.
2. Trees Contribute to Lower Energy Costs
Similarly, trees can help reduce energy consumption by shielding your house from the elements, whether it's the scorching summer sun or the frozen winter winds. Planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your home provides summer shade, easing the load on your air conditioning and lowering your energy bill. In winter, when these trees shed their leaves, they allow the sun to warm your home, reducing the burden on your furnace during the cold months. Additionally, planting evergreen trees and shrubs on the north side of your house can serve as a windbreak, insulating your home from the harsh winter winds and further enhancing energy efficiency.
3. Trees Add Privacy to Your Landscape
Trees also serve as an excellent barrier against unwanted sights and sounds. Whether your house faces a busy road or you share a backyard with your neighbors, planting trees will provide you with peace and privacy. Evergreens in particular are fantastic privacy trees, with dense foliage that shields your space year-round.
4. Supports Local Wildlife
Planting trees benefits local wildlife by providing shelter, protection, and food sources for animals like birds, squirrels, and various other creatures that are crucial for healthy ecosystems. Trees encourage biodiverse environments that offer opportunities for enjoyable and educational wildlife observation. By planting trees, individuals can actively contribute to preserving and enriching local ecosystems, fostering a healthier balance between urban environments and natural habitats.
5. Planting Trees Attracts Pollinators
Trees provide habitat for birds and wildlife, while also attracting crucial pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Flowering trees and fruit-bearing trees are particularly effective at attracting these pollinators, which play vital roles in our environment.
6. Trees Can Serve as a Food Source
Speaking of the significance of pollinators, without them, we wouldn't have naturally grown produce! If you've never savored a freshly picked peach from your own backyard or indulged in a cherry pie made from your homegrown harvest, you're truly missing out. The variety doesn't end there— from apples and pears to plums, apricots, nectarines, and beyond, enjoying fresh fruit straight from your backyard is a delight for anyone. Check out what fruit trees grow well in Colorado here!
7. Add To the Aesthetic of Your Landscaping
Planting trees significantly enhances the aesthetic appeal of outdoor spaces by introducing natural beauty and visual interest. Whether in parks, along streets, or in private gardens, trees provide pleasing views with their varying forms, foliage colors, and seasonal changes. Their presence not only enriches the landscape but also creates inviting environments for relaxation, recreation, and enjoyment.
8. Trees Improve Property Value
Considering the natural beauty that trees contribute, it's evident that their aesthetic appeal, cultivated over the years, can significantly increase property value. Homes with well-landscaped yards featuring mature, healthy trees can command up to 10% higher value compared to properties with minimal landscaping. Therefore, enhancing your property with trees is not just an investment in beauty but also in financial worth.
9. Trees Contribute to Improved Air Quality
Another noteworthy environmental advantage of trees is their ability to purify the air. Trees improve air quality by absorbing harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and other pollutants. Additionally, as they suck these harmful chemicals out of the air, they release clean carbon dioxide back into the air, giving us fresh, filtered air to breathe.
10. Benefits to Your Health and Happiness
After considering these benefits of planting trees, their value is truly undeniable. But, if this weren't enough, research has also consistently shown that spending time around nature and plants has a significant impact on stress and anxiety reduction. Hospitalized individuals show improved outcomes and faster recovery rates when surrounded by trees and greenery, whether through window views or daily walks. Children also benefit from outdoor time in natural settings, showing better focus and retention of learning material.
Helpful Tree Planting Tips
Know Where to Plant
Understand your plant's sun and water requirements, as well as its mature size, when selecting a location.
Know When to Plant
The optimal times to plant trees and shrubs in Colorado are during the spring (March 15-June 15) and fall (September 1-October 15). New plantings thrive in moderate temperatures.
Plant Your Tree
Proper planting is necessary if you want to have a healthy tree. Find in-depth, step-by-step instructions on how to plant a tree here!
Water Your Tree
After the initial watering, new plants need to be watered at least once a week, and 2-3 times per week during the summer heat. Proper moisture is crucial—too much is as harmful as too little. Regular, deep watering is better than frequent, light watering. To check soil moisture, dig 8 inches deep and 8 inches out from the hole's edge. If the soil crumbles, it's time to water; if it forms a ball, wait a few more days. It is also extremely important to not forget to water throughout the winter! Colorado winters are dry, and new plants need extra moisture to survive. Water once a month if daytime temps are above 40˚F and there hasn't been regular precipitation. Learn more about the importance of winter watering!
Learn More About Proper Tree Care
There are so many more important things to know about properly caring for your newly planted tree or shrub. Check out our Tree & Shrub Planting Guide, or feel free to let us know if you have any tree care questions!
Consult the Tree Experts at Bath Landscape!
We want to make sure you are able to find the best tree for your space. Ensuring the right location, appropriate growing conditions, setting realistic expectations, and awareness of your intended uses are all very important factors in picking out a tree that will grow and thrive. If you are looking to have a new landscape designed and installed by a team of highly experienced professionals, fill out a contact form to get the process going. If you just want to talk to someone about purchasing a tree to add to your existing landscaping, we have an on-site Nursery & Garden Center staffed by professionals who will be able to help you pick out the perfect tree, have it delivered to your home, and even plant it for you. Shop trees online, or get in touch with a nursery professional today!
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