Trees help make our neighborhoods in Boulder more beautiful. They can also serve another purpose if they’re planted strategically. With the proper placement, they can help improve your home’s energy efficiency. As a result, you could reduce your utility costs both in the summer and in the winter.
Block the Heat
We can get a lot of sunshine in our area of Colorado, and since we have such a high elevation, the sun can really warm up our homes quickly. If you give your house some extra shade, you’ll be doing it a favor in the summer. With enough shade, your home could be a few degrees cooler or possibly even more.
Trees planted to the west of your house have the most potential in terms of keeping your home cooler. That’s because that’s the direction that the sun will be during the late afternoon and evening, which is when the temperature can really heat up. Since the sun shines down at an angle at that time, you don’t have to plant trees near your home. There can be a bit of a distance since afternoon shadows can be fairly long.
Fall can be an ideal time to plant new trees. The weather is mild, so they have a chance to thrive. They can also establish their roots and get some rest during the winter before they have growth spurts in the spring and summer. Remember to research how big a tree can get before you plant it. This may affect the placement because you don’t want it to be near a power line or encroaching on a neighbor’s property. If you need help keeping your tree pruned or trimmed, Roots Up Tree Company can give you a hand.
Block the Wind
In the winter, you’ll want your home to stay nice and toasty. Unfortunately, the wind is a factor because it can cause our homes to lose more heat. It’s a good idea to plant trees to block the wind so that your home can be more energy efficient.
In Lafayette, wind can actually come from all different directions, but a lot of the time, the most extreme wind comes down from the mountains to our west. That’s why we recommend that you plant a row of evergreens to the west of your home. Evergreens are sturdy and won’t lose their foliage, so they can act as a good windbreak. This is especially true if they’re planted in a row that’s wider than the width of your home. Otherwise, the wind could just whip around them and still pull some heat out of your place.
Trees Help in Many Ways
Trees can be useful in the summer and the winter. If you plan ahead and plant trees now, you could be helping your home stay more comfortable. Call Roots Up Tree Company if you need any assistance.
