November 11th

By Mutt Mulligan

How your green space saves you some green

Did you know that your living landscape offers financial benefits to you and your family, in addition to affording many health and environmental perks? Here are the top 5 ways living landscapes pay you back.

• Property values: A beautiful landscape improves curb appeal and can increase home values by as much as 17%. Each front yard tree adds 1% to a homeowner’s house sale price, while large specimen trees can add 10% to property values.
• Money trees: According to the Urban Forest Coalition, 100 million mature trees around U.S. residences save approximately $2 billion annually in reduced energy costs. Strategically placed trees save up to 56% on annual air conditioning costs. In the wintertime, evergreens that block winter winds can save 3% on heating.
• Shopping sprees with trees: In tree-lined commercial districts, people shop more frequently, take longer shopping trips, and are willing to spend 12% more for goods.
• Exerci$ing in nature: Per a British study of people who exercise in nature, outdoor exercise delivers an estimated £2.2bn of health benefits to adults in England each year.

You can use the National Tree Benefit Calculator to estimate the economic and environmental value trees provide on an annual basis! For more about the amazing benefits of living landscapes, visit LivingLandscapesMatter.com.