Whether you have a small suburban lot or a big, rambling yard, a big, shady tree offers an indefinable attraction and beauty. "There’s no question that mature, well-placed trees hold an allure most people cannot deny," says landscape designer Kat Aul Cervoni, founder of Staghorn NYC landscaping firm and The Cultivation by Kat, an online gardening resource. "Aesthetically, they give a property depth and dimension that varies throughout the season. And flowering trees can take center stage and be a show-stopping part of your landscape."
In fact, many builders now incorporate both new and mature trees as part of their overall plan. "We're seeing a shift toward master planned communities with an emphasis on nature," says Christopher Janson, principal and architect at LRK architecture firm. "There's a transition toward nature being thought of as an amenity. For example, instead of offering fitness centers, communities are marketing their connections to an outdoor trail system. We're seeing a more holistic approach as people have become aware of the need to engage with nature."
It's impossible to quantify all the benefits a tree can offer—and how much trees raise the value of a property. But that hasn't stopped people from trying! Several recent studies show that large, mature trees add significant value to a property—to the tune of thousands of dollars. Not to mention all the enjoyment they give homeowners who live on site. Read on to learn everything you need to know about choosing the right trees to add value to your home.
How Much Value Do Trees Add to Your Property?
A recent study by the University of Nebraska evaluated the economic and quality-of-life benefits trees provide. "It found that well-tended trees may impact the selling price of a home, as well as the number of days it remains on the market," says Pete Smith, urban forest program manager and arborist at the Arbor Day Foundation.
Although it's difficult to pin down a specific dollar figure nationwide, yard trees in good condition may add 10 to 20 percent to the value of your home. One study in Portland, Oregon found that trees near a home added an average of $8,870 to sale prices, and reduced the amount of time a home spent on the market.
Other benefits large trees offer that are harder to put a dollar figure on include maintaining property values overall in neighborhoods, providing windbreaks and shade, protecting against erosion, and absorbing stormwater runoff and the traffic noise. These are all good reasons to save and plant trees in your yard, says Smith.
If your property does not have trees, planting a tree can yield big returns in the long-run. "In terms of landscaping, it may be the single biggest improvement you can make because it has the longest lifespan," says Smith. "There's also the experience of watching it grow and the emotional connection with trees, not just the financial benefits."
If you're building new, it's worth discussing whether or not any existing trees are good candidates to preserve on your building site, says Janson. This may require consultation with a certified arborist, but it's certainly worth bringing up before any mature trees are removed from the site.
Where Should You Plant Trees to Save Money?
If you're looking for energy savings, specific placement of your tree is important. "Deciduous trees planted along the south and west-facing walls of the home can reduce heat gain in the summer," says Greg Huber, a Georgia Registered Landscape Architect and program coordinator of the Center for Urban Agriculture at the University of Georgia. "They also allow the benefits of radiant heat in the winter."
Deciduous trees are those that lose their leaves come fall, such as maples and oaks. But evergreen trees offer benefits too; they can block prevailing winter winds. In the northern part of the country, says Smith, plant evergreen windbreaks on the north and northwest side of the house.
Shade trees also provide a cooling effect to your outdoor spaces, making it much more appealing to be outdoors during the nicest times of the year, says Cervoni. They also may block direct sunlight into specific rooms during peak times, potentially reducing cooling costs.
What Kind of Trees Should You Plant?
Planting a tree is an investment in the future, says Huber. It may not be something that provides immediate benefits, but it's definitely a lasting contribution to your home and neighborhood—not to mention the pollinators and wildlife you attract and support by planting a tree! Many families also choose to plant trees to memorialize a loved one, a marriage, or the birth of a child.
It can take 15 or more years for a tree to reach maturity or gain significant height and width to cast a decent amount of shade. But there are a few fast-growers that Cervoni recommends:
- River birch for interesting peeling bark and pretty multi-stemmed form
- 'October Glory' or 'Autumn Blaze' maple for glorious autumn color
- Eastern redbud for brilliant spring color and charming heart-shaped leaves
- Crape myrtle for long bloom time
- Cryptomeria japonica 'Radicans' for an attractive evergreen option with unique texture
When shopping, read the plant tag or description so you understand exactly how much room your mature tree will need. The biggest mistake people making when planting trees? Planting too close to the house or other plantings. Finally, pay attention to underground utilities, sewage and water pipes, and septic tanks for tree placement because tree roots can infiltrate and damage these, causing expensive repairs, says Cervoni.
Are There Trees You Should Never Plant?
Every tree has its place, but some trees may be too big for many suburban lots. These include trees such as tulip-tree poplars and weeping willows. "Thirsty" trees such as willow, cherry, river birch and sycamore also may cause maintenance issues because they tend to seek out moisture.
Some trees with heavy shedding cycles, such as London plane, saucer magnolias and river birch, tend to be messy, dropping petals and sticks frequently, which may get on your nerves, says Cervoni.
One tree to absolutely never plant: Bradford pear (Pyrus calllerayana). Once the darling of developers everywhere, this tree has weak wood that splits, just about the time when the tree is mature and looking its best, says Cervoni. Plus, it has stinky spring flowers that smell like rotting fish or urine, which doesn’t exactly promote curb appeal!
Trees to Plant
Autumn Blaze® Red Maple
Summer Red Maple Shade Tree
Forest Pansy Pink Redbud Tree
Ruffled Red Magic Crape Myrtle
Heritage® River Birch
