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Maddox: Trees are cool

A press release from UW Extension horticulturist Mike Maddox:

According to the non-profit agency American Forests , the shade from a tree can cool an area by about 9 degrees Fahrenheit through shading and evapotranspiration (that’s the technical term of how a tree moves water from the roots up!).

This can translate into a $273 annual savings per tree in the cost reduction of air conditioning a home.

A homeowner can cash in on this cooling effect by proper placement of a tree in their landscape.

The best scenario is a large deciduous shade tree to the west, south-west of the home. Long shadows cast by the setting sun cover the home providing relief from the heat of the day. Trees immediately to the south of the home tend to offer little relief as the summer sun is so high, shadows are cast directly beneath the tree, leaving the home still exposed.

Though they take more time to provide benefits, trees with a slow or medium growth rate are preferred. Fast growing trees tend to be weak wooded and prone to branch breakage during storm events.

Large trees should be situated about 30 feet from the foundation of the home to minimize future conflicts as the tree grows. Smaller trees can be situated closer to the home. Partial shading of walls and windows will provide some benefit, too.

Suggested trees include, but are not limited to, Freeman maple, river birch, honeylocust, white ash, Kentucky coffeetree, and swamp white oak.

Have more questions?

Mike Maddox is the Horticulture Educator with Rock County UW-Extension and is located at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville. Contact the Horticulture Help-line by calling (608) 757-5696 with your garden and landscape questions.