Plant Shade Trees to Conserve Energy
If you're planting shade trees this fall, you might think twice about where you place them. Utility companies say that properly positioned, deciduous shade trees can cut your summer air- conditioning bills by up to 25 percent. Deciduous trees drop their leaves in fall, allowing warming sun to pass through their branches in winter, also reducing heating costs.
The east and especially the west sides of your home are most important to shade. The south side is usually left unshaded so winter sun can warm the house during the cooler months and so solar collectors have clear access to the sun. However, in the warmest climates, shading even the southern exposure may be recommended.
The ideal shade tree is about 25- to 50-feet high and has a spreading habit. Such a tree will partially shade the roof of a one-story home but won't get too big for most properties. Your local utility company or city parks department can recommend appropriate tree species. To prevent root damage, don't plant within 10 feet of the foundation of your house.
Water well after planting, and to protect your new investment against insect pests, use Bayer Advanced™ Tree & Shrub Insect Control Concentrate. One application protects trees for up to 12 months. Read the label and follow directions.
Use Bayer Advanced™ Triple Action Landscape, Tree & Shrub Food Granules or Bayer Advanced™ Tree and Shrub Planting Mix Ready-To-Use (product discontinued) to fertilize.
Products Mentioned In This Article
Bayer Advanced
