Last year, I wrote about the health benefits of gardening. Today, I’m going to suggest that you consider planting a tree or two in your garden. Indeed, the benefits of planting trees are astonishing!
Disclosure: This post is in collaboration with The Tree Center, which has been nurturing plants for three generations.
At last count, there are 60,065 varieties of trees in the world. Wow! So, finding one that works for your garden is possible, given the assortment out there, including where you live. You can find out more about the different varieties and how to choose the right variety, by clicking the link.
Regardless of which variety you plant, you can enjoy several benefits. Below, I explain just a few of the ways planting trees in your garden can improve your life.
A Cool Spot to Relax
On a very warm day, there’s nothing better than having a shady tree to sit underneath. Thus, trees act as natural air-conditioners.
They are surprisingly effective at cooling the air. The evaporation from just one mature tree produces a cooling effect that is the equivalent of 10 room-sized air-conditioning units running for 20 hours.
Protect Your Home from the Elements
Planting trees in the right position can also help to protect your home from the worst of the weather. In the summer, trees can help keep sections of your house in shade. They can also provide shade for beautiful flowers that you plant close by so the leaves don’t scorch in hot weather.
This will make it easier to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, provided you choose deciduous varieties. There will be no shading effect during the colder winter months.
If you live in an area where cold winds are a problem, you can create a green protective wall to divert freezing air away from your home. You can do so by planting tall evergreen trees that are resistant to windburn.
More Benefits of Planting Trees: They’re Calming
A study by a team from the University of Illinois and the University of Hong Kong shows that looking at trees has the effect of reducing stress levels. During the study, 160 participants were subjected to high-stress situations. Afterward, they viewed one of 10 different 360-degree videos featuring the same cityscape.
Interestingly, researchers found only one difference between each video – the density of the tree coverage. It ranged from 0 to 70% coverage. The denser the coverage, the faster participants’ stress level fell away. You can easily create a similar effect by planting a tree or two in a spot that is visible from inside your home.
Trees Can Improve Air Quality around Your Home
Trees absorb CO2 and release oxygen. So, the air close to them is generally cleaner. But, they have to be planted in the right position. You do not want a dense canopy to trap air close to the ground.
Instead, the air you want to cleanse needs to be able to rise for the tree to get to work on cleansing it. If your main goal is to improve the quality of the air near your home, you may need to do a little extra research.
Conclusions about the Benefits of Planting Trees
Regardless of why you want to plant trees in your garden, take your time and choose the varieties wisely. You do not want to inadvertently plant one that grows so big that it needs to be cut down at a later date. Lastly, choose one that’s proportional to the size of your yard so it fits well with the landscaping.
Can you think of any other benefits of planting trees? Do you have trees in your yard?
Wow, what a great article packed with facts! Thanks for sharing!
Terrific to read this kind note today, Nora!
Our pea tree did by himself,out of the roots. The new three trees are growing wonderful, with a great dislike from our neighbour. Maybe the old tree heared her advice we should destroy them. :-) Michael.
It sounds like the tree will keep rising, as will we :D
Love this post! Nature is so beautiful.
Indeed.
Great share Christy. My garden and all my beautiful trees we planted are what I miss most about my last house. :)
Awe, I hope the new owners are caring for that garden and the trees within it!
I do too. :) x
:)
I live in an apartment and don’t plant trees. But I do like trees around in the summer. As you mentioned, always lovely to sit under a shady tree. Some trees like apple trees and really any fruit tree can be fun to grow and grow in the years to come – and then you can pick fruit that you grew yourself :)
When I read your comment, Mabel, I thought of the apple trees we had in our backyard when I was a kid. I hope one day you have a home with a nice yard with at least one fruit tree :D
I would love to grow trees, but I have little or no space around my house. Even if I try to plant a small flowering plant, our canine will take GOOD care of it. :)
Doggies are curious creatures ;)
Yes, lovely.. I have lots of trees in my garden including a 30 metre/ 100 feet tall spotted gum, which attracts so many bees, birds, koalas and possums. It’s flowering now, so I have hundreds of birds feast everyday, it’s awesome! :)
Ohhhh birds are so relaxing to watch – especially hummingbirds, in my opinion :)
Yes
I agree
We have planted quite a few trees in ours over the years.
Just think of the many years ahead for those trees and what they will see in their lifetime!
Very true 😀
Hugs
Thank you, Christy, for sharing the post about planting trees. As an avid gardener, I love the shade that trees provide. I have fond memories of climbing trees as a child. Hope you have a lovely week!
Climbing trees isn’t for me – I’m not a fan of heights ;) But I’ll gaze at them with admiration all day long! Thanks Linnea.
Cheche Winnie is a dedicated conservationist in Kenya. She’s committed to saving Wildlife, earth, land, plants and Trees throughout the African continent. Please read Her most excellent blog.
Her blog is wonderful, agreed! Thanks for bringing her efforts to more people with the recommendation here, DeBorah.
You’re Welcome. My Pleasure. Cheche Winnie is on fire for the environment. She has even taken a stand against ivory poaching. Winnie is a brave and courageous woman.
You’ve described her beautifully!
❤😇💗💓💕
xxoo
I totally agree! When we bought our little 1 acre with our house 10 years ago, it had 2 trees. We now have 12, including apples, cherries, and pears! Most are smaller blooming type trees, but they count too!
Oh how lovely that you have fresh fruit trees! We had apple trees in our backyard when I was a kid and many a dessert was made using them :)
there lot of benefit of tree but unfortunately we are not aware…excellent topic for blog post….thanks for share christy
Nature is beautiful so let’s celebrate it
LOVED< LOVED this Christy.. Trees and I are ONE.. lol.. :-)
You and trees are a beautiful combination, Sue :D