July 23rd

By Mutt Mulligan

The right shade trees help the environment & your wallet

Along with high temperatures come high energy bills. One way to lower your utility bills is to strategically plant shade trees in your yard. Research shows shade trees can reduce heat gains by 40-80 percent!

Strategically placed shade trees can help save on energy bills

Now is a great time to take a look at your yard and decide where you need more shade. Ideally, trees should be planted on the southwestern and western sides of the house so they provide shade during the hottest part of the day.

Deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the winter are typically the best choice. That’s because they offer protection from the sun in the summertime, but then let the sunlight shine through during the colder winter months.

Not only are trees good for shading our homes, they also renew our air supply by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. Tree roots stabilize soil and prevent erosion. And, trees help improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water.

For fun tree-related activities you can do with your family this summer check out the TurfMutt Family Activities Guide.