Winter sun helps warm things up so, when deciduous trees loose their leaves, more sunshine and solar radiation are cast on homes and buildings. Money and energy are saved by increasing warming in and around structures. Savings also come from …
I'm planting a tree and shrub windbreak to shelter my home in winter. What should I take into account in locating and designing it?
First, the windbreak should be located upwind from prevailing winter winds. If most of your winter wind comes from the north, then locate the windbreak to the north of your home. Also, wind will tend to curl in around the …
What is the fastest-growing tree I can plant to shade my house?
Tree growth is inherent to the specific tree species. Tree growth is typically defined by the nursery trade as slow (3-6 inches per year), moderate (5-8 inches per year), or fast (10+ inches per year). However, many factors can contribute …
Will my electric or gas utility company provide me with trees for my property?
Your local gas or electric company may provide you with trees you can plant on your property. This is done to encourage the right kind of trees being planted in the right kinds of places, to reduce peak energy demand, …
Are some trees better for energy conservation than others?
It depends on which part of the country you live in.
In northern latitudes with cold winters, dense evergreens planted to block chilling winds are important for conserving heat energy. Likewise, deciduous shade trees with a sparse branching habit are …
Which trees provide the "best" shade in summer?
It’s true, not all tree shade is created equal. Broad-leaved, deciduous trees, in general, cast a broader shadow than many evergreens, such as pine species. This is due, in part, to the shape of the mature tree canopy. When grown …
Choosing the Best Landscape Trees for Home Energy Conservation
eLearn Urban Forestry: Online Training in Urban Forestry
New eLearning Program Targets Allied Professionals to Urban Forestry
As most of us know, healthy urban forests require a strong investment, and not just from the individuals and communities who benefit directly from these forests, but also from the professionals …
Urban Tree Planting (Part 1): Site Selection
Site selection is the first, important step to make when planting trees in an urban environment. Quality sites have a higher probability of supporting long-lived and healthy trees, whereas poorly chosen sites produce poorer-quality trees. Urban environments are challenging for …
What types of evergreen trees can provide wind protection to my house?
Any evergreen that is well-suited to your site’s soils and growing zone can serve as a windbreak. Some of the most common evergreen trees used for windbreaks in the U.S. include pines, spruces, junipers, and cedars.
A note here on …