Conserve energy and money: plant trees
Want to conserve energy and cut your home heating and cooling bills? Tree and shrub planting typically pays itself off in energy savings within seven to ten years. Get started with these guidelines.
Guard against winter winds
To stop winter winds before they enter the house and to capture warm winter sunlight, plant trees or tall shrubs within 20 to 50 feet of west-facing windows. Evergreen species provide a double benefit of blocking winter winds while also providing summer shade.
If space allows, plant a windbreak—a row of evergreen trees spaced 10 to 20 feet apart, planted in rows perpendicular to the to the primary winter wind direction, usually running along the west and north sides of the property. Properly planted windbreaks help to prevent drafts and can reduce heating costs up to 20 percent. If trees or windbreaks aren’t possible, consider planting vines and shrubs next to your home, creating a blanket of air space that insulates your home in the winter and the summer.
Keep it cool
If you’ve planted evergreens on the north and west side of your home to keep you warm in the winter, those same trees will shade your home from solar heat in the summer. One mature tree shading west walls and windows from the afternoon sun can reduce roof and wall temperatures by 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while air conditioning costs can be cut by up to 25 percent by strategically planting trees and shrubs.
To keep your house naturally cool, plant trees on the east side of your house as well as the west. When planting near windows on the east side of your house, be sure to select deciduous shade trees so you can reap the summer shade but also gain solar heat in the winter. Planting a tree or shrub near your air conditioning unit to block the sun may increase the unit’s efficiency by up to 10 percent. Be sure branches and leaves do not restrict the unit’s air flow.
Keep in mind that pavement reflects solar energy and will radiate heat to the walls of your home. Planting low shrubs and ground covers will help reduce the reflection of solar heat from roads, driveways and patios.
Where not to plant
Avoid planting trees in front of windows on the south side of your home, since they will block solar heat in the winter and in the summer won’t provide shade due to the angle of the sun. If you absolutely must plant a tree near your south windows, choose a tree with small leaves that will let in light, such as a honey locust or Kentucky coffee tree.
More tips
- Choose a tree or shrub that will fit well in your unique space, light, and soil conditions, making sure it is a species resistant to most diseases and insects.
- Plan for the mature height and spread of a tree, and be sure it won’t interfere with an overhead power line or the structure of your home.
- Plant trees no closer than 10 feet but within 50 feet of your home for energy savings.
- Plant the tree at the correct depth. Visit http://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/2007/04/planting-trees/ for more information.
- Plant a tree species with strong wood since it will be close to the structure of your home. Prune the tree while young to promote strong branch structure.
- Monitor trees near your home in order to ensure their structure and safety. Ask a professional arborist if you need help with tree care or selection.
For more information about planting for energy conservation, visit the Tree Benefits, Forest Ecology and Fun Facts page.
