If you're you looking for cost-effective yet eye-pleasing ways to lower your energy bills, then planting trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and hedges could be the answer. In fact, landscaping may be your best long-term investment for reducing heating and cooling costs, while also bringing other improvements to your community.

A well-designed landscape will:

• Cut your summer and winter energy costs dramatically.
• Protect your home from winter wind and summer sun.
• Reduce consumption of water, pesticides, and fuel for landscaping and lawn maintenance.
• Help control noise and air pollution.

Landscaping your property - should you do it yourself or hire it done?

Preliminary considerations:

• fences
• sidewalks
• utilities
• swimming pool
• garages
• outbuildings
• trees
• large rocks

• how does the sun move over your property?
• when do you get the most sun?

• playground for the family
• show place
• attract wildlife

• is water readily available?
• what kind of soil do you have?
• will it be easy to mow?

• planting a couple of shrubs?
• complete overhaul?
• new construction area?
• adding a water garden or pond

Landscaping has many benefits for the homeowner:

• add value to the property
• cut heating and cooling bills
• make the surroundings more pleasant

Landscaping is a natural and beautiful way to keep your home more comfortable and reduce your energy bills. In addition to adding aesthetic value and environmental quality to your home, a well-placed tree, shrub, or vine can deliver effective shade, act as a windbreak, and reduce overall energy bills.

Deciduous trees planted on the south and on the west will help keep your house cool in the summer and allow sun to shine in the windows in the winter.

Not all landscape problems can be solved with plant materials alone; pavements and structures are equally important. Fences and walls are as functional and provide as much privacy as woody plants–and they may require less maintenance.