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News Feature for Newsletters, Newspapers and Magazines |
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United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
P.O. Box 2890
Washington, DC 20013
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Trees in the Home Landscape
Trees add so much to the home landscape! They provide shade, clean air,
habitat for wildlife, value to your property, and even memories.
If your yard does not have any trees at the moment, you may want to consider
planting some. Studies have shown that trees and landscaping add value to your
property. Even if you do not intend to sell your property, trees can provide
years of enjoyment. If you have trees in your yard, check to see that they are
healthy. If they are near the end of their life expectancy or show signs of
decline, you may want to plant new trees that will become established before the
old trees are removed.
If properly located and planted, trees can help control energy costs. A large
shade tree planted on the southwest side of the house can provide cooling shade
in the summer, helping reduce air conditioning costs. Once the leaves drop in
the fall, the winter sun is free to warm your house on cold winter days.
Evergreen trees, planted to block cold winter winds, can help reduce winter
heating costs.
Have you wondered what you could do to reduce greenhouse gases and address
global warming? Planting trees will help! One of the greenhouse gases causing
the most concern is carbon dioxide. Plants take this gas out of the air and use
it in photosynthesis. Carbon is stored in the wood and living tissues of trees.
When leaves fall and are composted, carbon is added to the soil. This improves
the soil for plant growth and stores more of the carbon in the form of soil
organic matter. Carbon can be stored for hundreds of years in the trunks of
trees or in the form of lumber, furniture, and other wood products. By planting
trees in your yard, you can help reduce greenhouse gases.
Trees also provide shelter and food for a variety of wildlife. While
installing bird feeders will help attract birds to your yard, providing them
with nearby trees and shrubs to escape danger, build nests, and obtain food,
will be even more effective. Squirrels and other small mammals use trees for
nesting sites and food sources. When selecting trees, consider what food value
they may offer to the wildlife in your community.
Trees can offer years of enjoyment. Planting trees and watching them grow can
be part of your family's memories. Consider planting a tree to commemorate a
milestone in your family's life. While raking leaves may seem like a chore as
you get older, jumping in piles of leaves can be a treat for children. Hanging a
swing, building a tree house, or simply relaxing under the shade of a tree on a
hot summer day can be a memorable experience.
For more information on Backyard Conservation practices, contact your local
conservation district or the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Or call
1-888-LANDCARE (toll free) for a free colorful Backyard Conservation booklet and
tip sheets.
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- Backyard Conservation is a cooperative project of
- Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Wildlife Habitat Council
- National Association of Conservation Districts
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