TEL: (406) 826-3881
FAX: (406) 826-5700
E MAIL:[email protected]
WEB:www.lawyernursery.com
6625 MT Highway 200
Plains, Montana
59859-9216 USA
Newspaper Article Archive - November 2016 issue
High Energy Costs Reduced
by Planting Trees
With today’s energy prices at all time highs in most areas of
the country, reducing energy costs at residential or commercial
properties is an increasing priority.
Besides turning off the lights when not in the room, what else
can be done? Help your customers construct a plan to strategically plant shade giving or wind reducing vegetation. A well
designed landscape can offer a return on an initial investment in
less than 8 years in energy savings.
Computer models devised by the U.S. Department of Energy
indicate that an annual energy bill savings of $100-$250 can be
achieved for an average household, just by planting three wellplaced trees.
Residential shading and screening with deciduous trees
save energy.
Shade provided from large trees and cooling from evapotranspiration (water vapor released from the trees) can reduce surrounding air temperature by as much as 9°F. Locations
directly under trees can benefit from cooling as much as 25°F or more than surrounding open areas.
Deciduous trees are often used to shade a structure; trees tall enough to cast a shadow over a roof line or dense
enough to block a window will be most effective. A deciduous tree that blocks out the sun in summer will then
allow the sun to warm a building in the cold of winter.
Good choices for tall shade trees to place on the southern side of a structure (depending on location in the country)
are Ash, Maple, Buckeye, Birch, Hackberry and Linden. Other species that reach a height of 40’+ are also used for
shading roof lines. Shorter trees or shrubs can provide sun protection from low sun angles from the west.
Trees will also provide additional protection from hot or cold seasonal winds. Planted in multiple layers, windbreaks serve to reduce the velocity of winds around a structure. A layer of canopy trees, understory trees, conifers
and two layers of shrubs will provide maximum effectiveness against prevailing winds.
The next time someone protests about the high retail cost of an 8’ potted Sugar Maple, be prepared to explain the
exponential energy and comfort savings they will enjoy for years to come.
Newspaper Article Archive - November 2016 edition
Copyright ©November 2015 by Lawyer Nursery, Inc. 6625 Montana Highway 200, Plains, Montana, 59859, USA. All rights reserved. No part of
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