Not only do they add beauty, wildlife habitat, and property value, now trees help reduce fuel consumption. Trees act as shade in the hot summer months and as a windbreak in the colder months. According to the USDA Forest Service, one 25 foot tree can save you as much as four percent. And they don't have to be a lot of work. Very few landscapes, if any, have no care associated with them.
Landscapes have their own ecosystems, wildlife and climate.
Working with these factors as well as planting the appropriate trees and plants will cut down on the effort you put out, says Hart. The closer you can work with these systems rather than work in ignorance of them, the more low maintenance and energy conservation you'll get. Buildings gain heat from the sun. Through windows sunlight comes streaming in to warm the room. The walls and roof absorb solar radiation to add heat.