I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth
is prest
Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
– Joyce Kilmer
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth
is prest
Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
– Joyce Kilmer
Trees are marvelous creations. Trees create a pleasing environment by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water, and harboring wildlife. Trees soften the effects of sun, wind, and rain. The heat of the sun is absorbed or deflected by leaves on deciduous trees in the summer and allowed to stream through in winter.
Even the ethereal wind can be affected by trees. The more compact the foliage on the tree or group of trees, the greater the windbreak. The downward fall of rain or hail can be absorbed or deflected by trees, which provides some protection for people, pets, and buildings. Trees store water and reduce storm runoff and the possibility of flooding.
Temperature in the vicinity of trees is cooler than that away from trees. The larger the tree, the greater the natural air conditioning. By using trees in the cities, we moderate the heat of pavement and buildings in commercial areas.
Air is improved through the use of trees, shrubs, and grass. Leaves filter the air we breathe by removing dust and particulates. Leaves absorb carbon dioxide from the air to form carbohydrates that are used in the plant’s structure and function. In this process, leaves also absorb other air pollutants – such as ozone, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide (an average of 13 pounds a year) – and then give off pure, clean oxygen! An acre of trees produces enough oxygen for 18 people each day. You gotta love those trees.
By planting trees and shrubs, we also create a beautiful environment. Birds and other wildlife are attracted to the area. This year I am particularly enjoying the humming birds. The natural cycles of plant growth, reproduction, and decomposition, both above and below ground, maintains harmony in the garden.
So what does this have to do with real estate? Whoa, doggies, I’m glad you asked. I am certainly no arborist or great authority in this area, but trees are generally held to be a benefit to a piece of real estate. In general, a mature specimen tree will add value to a property. Beautiful landscaping also enhances the enjoyment and hence marketability of a home.
Streets with little or no shade have to be repaved twice as often as those with cover. Studies indicate people are more inclined to go out and exercise in green surroundings. Areas with trees statistically have lower crime rates.
Then should we all run out and plant a zillion trees on our lots? I think not. First of all, trees require care. When my family moved out to the country 4 years ago we inherited a bunch of trees. None of them were planted with any forethought, nor were they pruned properly to create a healthy, happy tree. We had branches criss-crossing at odd angles, growing in on itself, etc., etc. We saved a few, got rid of others.
We did run out and plant an acre of Blenheim apricot trees. Though we love them, they do take time and effort … and they cost money to keep them watered, pruned, and sprayed against pesky insects and dread plant diseases. (But at least 18 of our friends can come out each day, stand in the orchard and breathe. That’s the good news.)
It’s hard to remember in the heat of summer how hard the wind blew and the rain pummeled us during the winter. But lots of trees lost branches and caused damage. Trees can’t just be left to grow willy-nilly forever. At some point you’ll have to call in a tree surgeon, unless you relish the idea of hanging off a bough with a power chainsaw. I thought not.
Remember my friend who’s leaving her house to her cat? A few years ago she and her husband (and presumably the cat) were asleep in bed in the middle of the night when the whole house exploded. A huge pine fell over in a storm, crashing through the roof. They woke up inside the tree. Luckily, no one was injured. (Cat ran away for 3 days but showed up none the worse for wear.)
When you decide to work on your landscape, it’s a good idea to spend some time and money on design. Make sure you have someone who knows something about trees counsel you on selection and size. Common mistakes include choosing messy trees for areas you want clean (like that slate patio), planting trees too close to the house (the root system is huge!), or planting too small a tree. The smaller the tree, the cheaper the price. But if you hope to enjoy your property sometime in this century, you might want a larger tree or switch to a fast-growing one.
A tree can add health, color, fragrance and design flair to your home. Go out and hug a tree today!
And be kind to your Realtor.
