For many people, money is tight these days. It does not help matters that the housing market is recovering so slowly. A lot of people are looking for economical ways to improve their property while they wait for their home’s price to come back up. There are many projects you could try in such a situation, but few people realize the value of what they may already have: trees. Planting and regularly maintaining trees can earn you money from your home, as well as other areas. A quality San Diego arborist can help you access these three significant benefits of healthy trees. 

1. Increase Your Property Value 

Having trees on your property is one of the surest ways to boost your home’s curb appeal. To give a sense of scale, the U.S. Forest Service suggests that mature trees increase property values as much as 10%. That is equal to adding a half bathroom and more than twice the increase you would get from an additional bedroom (4%, on average) according to real estate rules of thumb. Trees lend their beauty to enhance any home and yard. However, their impressive financial boost also comes from the sense of peace, security, and longevity they impart to potential buyers. 

2. Lower Your Utility Bills

According to the Arbor Day Foundation (and decades of scientific research that informed the Foundation’s statistics), strategic tree planting can save home (and business) owners up to 20% on utility bills. During the summer, trees help shade houses and decrease the need for air conditioning. When it becomes winter, the tree acts as a windbreaker, which helps keep the house warmer. Plus, at this time of year the tree will have lost its leaves, so sunlight can easily come into the house. Trees are also critical for reducing urban heat island effects (when the sun’s rays are absorbed by pavement). Neighborhoods that are heavy on cement experience substantial temperature increases relative to more rural areas. Heat islands are responsible for an increase in energy use of 5 to 10%. 

3. Improve Health and Prevent Injury 

Trees purify carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air. The cleaner the air, the easier it is to breathe and the fewer respiratory illnesses people develop. Over the long term, living around more trees can save a lot of money on healthcare. Additionally, trees can often protect homes from high winds and hail during storms. Of course, even the best tree can only do so much, and occasionally the storm wins. In the event that a tree or its branches are knocked down (or die from natural causes), contact an experienced San Diego arborist to help with cleanup. In some cases, your arborist may have the expertise needed to save at least some part of the tree.