It’s easy to see how well-landscaped yards entice more buyers to a home. But did you know that homes with mature trees and bushes often sell quicker and for higher prices? Some studies suggest that neighborhoods with mature trees can add anywhere from 2 to 9 percent to a home’s value and 10 to 15 percent in high-income neighborhoods.
Large trees create tranquility. Tall, mature trees create a sense of privacy and calm, more than wide open spaces. Greenery appeals to the human senses and emotions.
Well-placed trees block out noise. Homes near a busy street or highway benefit greatly from mature trees as they can block up to 40 percent of outdoor noise. And of course, less noise means more enjoyment of family space both indoors and outside. Large trees also offer protection from wind and rain.
Trees save energy and benefit the environment. The shade provided by large trees helps reduce cooling costs during warmer months. And the loss of leaves in winter allow natural warming from the sun, reducing heating costs. With careful positioning of trees, homeowners can save 25 to 35 percent in energy consumption every year. Trees directly impact energy use and resource conservation. The healthier and bigger the trees and their shade, the bigger the impact.
Trees increase value for builders and buyers. If you’re wondering why the wooded lots in new construction homes cost more than similar homes in open spaces, look at the trees. It’s more expensive for a home developer to preserve trees in the front, sides, or even the back of a lot while excavating and building. But they recoup their costs in the sales price of these homes because they’re more desirable to buyers.
If you plan on staying put for a while and you’re making landscaping decisions, consider the benefits of tree preservation and planting large trees in terms of the value in your home. An arborist’s consultation will help you maintain tree health and can tell you the best positions for which type of trees to plant on your land. An investment now is likely to help increase value in the long-term.