While many surveys suggest that large, mature trees bring the most value to a home or property, they don’t come without a downside.
Trees provide privacy, insulate against noise, have a positive environmental impact, and attract various bird species. This aesthetic and functional improvement directly translates into increased curb and home value. Furthermore, planting trees can increase property value by up to 15%.
Please keep reading to learn how to improve your property with trees.
Types of trees to choose
Ornamental or durable deciduous trees like oaks, hickories, or elms usually have the highest aesthetic appeal and should be among the first candidates if the local climate suits them. In general, trees native to the area or those with low maintenance requirements provide the most potential benefits to a landscape.
If the area near your property has landslide-related issues, consider adding trees that prevent slides, like loblolly pine or bald cypress.
To play it safe, avoid planting trees that require high humidity or water intake, like willow, cherry, maple, and sycamore. Their roots might break sewage or water lines or crack through concrete in search of water.
Smaller might be better
While many surveys suggest that large, mature trees bring the most value to a home or property, they don’t come without a downside.
Although larger trees can look impressive, they shouldn’t be placed anywhere near the house due to their extensive root system and other potential issues. Tree roots tend to spread twice as wide as the tree is tall, so check the tree’s maximum height before planting it.
Some trees, like white oaks, grow up to 100 feet tall and can attract lightning, so they should be placed away from the house and power lines.
Smaller ornamental trees like redbud and Japanese maple are excellent options. Due to their appeal and relatively short size, they can be placed closer to the house.
Placement is everything
Different trees can have other benefits, but improper placement can pose safety risks or even lower the property value.
Some trees, like tulip poplar, might be great in preventing slides, but they can grow quite tall and have brittle branches and limbs, so they need to be placed away from a roof or areas with high traffic.
Saucer magnolia might be a beautiful and appealing tree, but it has a heavy shedding cycle and might be hard to deal with when its sticky petals drop. Placing it in the backyard, away from the driveway or patio, might be the best solution.
Plant deciduous trees west or south of the house for best quality-of-life results. In the summer, their rich crowns provide natural protection from the sun and reduce the need for air conditioning.
How to handle existing trees
The most common method of filling a yard with trees involves planting a sprout and tending to it for years. However, a tree transplant is a faster way to get a mature tree on the property.
A tree transplant is a procedure that uproots an entire tree, moving it to another spot or removing it from the property altogether. Saplings survive transplants much easier since their root systems don’t suffer much. But older trees can also benefit from a transplant, especially if the alternative involves cutting it down.
A transplant can also move a tree away from an area where its growth might prove problematic, such as a nearby roof or power line.
Get expert tree maintenance
Ensuring trees are healthy and well-maintained is the key when assessing the property value. Hire a professional for an inspection to address any safety and maintenance-related issues that trees pose.
