Look for an arborist with professional credentials, such as certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or a registered consulting arborist from the American Society of Consulting Arborist. Request references for work that the professional has done that is …
Which types of trees should I plant on the south side of my home so as not to shade the winter sun?
The northern latitudes of our continent are cool during the winter months when the sun is in the southern hemisphere. This time of year we want the warming effects of the sun to reduce the energy usage of our homes …
What is enviroscaping and how can it help conserve energy?
Enviroscaping is the practice of landscaping to modify the surrounding environment. The purpose behind the practice of enviroscaping can be to create a sustainable or low-impact landscape, to enhance the natural environment, and also to conserve energy.
In many parts …
Could I grow enough trees in my yard to absorb all the carbon dioxide my lifestyle generates?
Unless you have a very large yard, measured in acres of land, it is unlikely that you could offset your carbon footprint by planting trees. However, trees do absorb CO2, so planting trees in any size yard can help offset …
Experts talk about carbon dioxide as a pollutant. Is it poisonous?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) can be poisonous at very high concentrations.
If you’ve seen the movie Apollo 13, you know that one of the crises the NASA engineers had to overcome was devising a carbon dioxide filter to keep the …
What is the minimum number of trees needed in my landscape to provide energy conservation benefits?
Each yard is unique in its orientation to the summer sun, winter winds and spaces available for planting trees. In some situations, your neighbor’s trees may be providing your property with shade, cooling effects or blocking cold winds. In this …
Which trees should I avoid planting if I have tree allergies?
Trees produce a lot of pollen at certain times of year. However, some trees are “dioecious,” meaning they have either male or female reproductive parts, not both, like monoecious species. If you can find a dioecious tree that is a …
Can trees negatively affect energy consumption for heating and cooling?
Trees too close to your home can produce unwanted shade that will decrease sunlight, prevent ice from melting on pavements, and increase heating costs during the winter. To combat these issues, plant deciduous trees that lose their leaves and allow …
How do I prevent my trees from causing problems for my neighbors?
When you plant a tree in your yard, think about all of the ways it will affect your neighbors. Will it shade their garden? Will it push on fences? Will it shade their solar collectors? Of course to assess this, …
How do urban trees reduce flooding?
Floods can occur anywhere, but urban areas experience increased frequency and severity of flooding events. This is a result of the high percentage of impervious surfaces, such as pavement and roofs, which force water to “run” rather than soak into …