“Right tree, right place” takes thoughtful planning. Here are ways shade trees can counter the intense heat of summer, save money, and provide respite underneath their canopies.
How Do Trees Impact a Hot Environment?
Trees are energy efficient, offering natural cooling shade outside a home or commercial property on the hottest days of summer.
- According to the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), optimally planted trees can effectively lower air conditioning costs for homes and businesses.
- Stand or sit under a tree during a heat wave, and the air and surface temperatures can be at least 10 to 25 degrees cooler.
- Trees play a vital role in reducing heat absorption from pavement and buildings, lowering city temperatures.
- Shaded walkways encourage outdoor exercise and lessen our reliance on short-distance car travel, which can curb heat and emissions.
Which Trees Are Ideal for Shade?
Deciduous shade trees provide dense canopies that block summer sunlight, significantly reducing temperatures for outdoor areas. Unlike evergreens, they shed their leaves in fall, allowing natural warmth and light through in winter. This makes them ideal for energy efficiency year-round.
Common shade trees include:
- Oaks
- Maples
- Elms
- Sycamores
American Tree Experts is your perfect partner for planting new trees and maintaining the health of your current trees. Contact us for a consultation.
