Are you thinking about planting new trees in your yard?
Planting trees comes with many benefits you’re probably already aware of, such as providing shade, adding natural beauty to your property and reducing your carbon footprint. But did you know that where you plant trees and which type you choose can actually reduce your power bill?
In our hot and humid climate, the air conditioners in our homes sometimes struggle to compete against the warm air that seeps in through doors and windows. That can unfortunately translate into higher power bills.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that strategically positioned landscaping can save up to 25 percent of your home’s heating and cooling costs. And while purchasing trees requires an up-front investment, the right tree in the right place can provide a return on your investment in around eight years.
Baldwin EMC recommends planting deciduous trees, those that lose their leaves in the fall, near the east-facing windows of your home to reduce how much solar heat gets through them. As they shed their leaves in fall and winter, they’ll allow heat to come in and add to your home’s warmth.
Be sure to take the location of overhead power lines into account as you plot out your spring planting. Large trees, those with a height/spread of more than 40 feet, need to be no less than 60 feet away from powerlines and poles. No trees of any height should be planted within 20 feet of power poles.
And as always, please remember to call 811 and have your underground lines located before you do any digging.
Use the tree planting guides below to help you make a safe decision about where to plant.
