To select the proper tree, you must first study the planting site. Select young trees that aren't too large for their containers. Gary Moll of the American Forest Association discusses the benefits of trees in the landscape. Trees can increase real-estate values by 5 percent to 7 percent, but they also enhance the community by cleaning the air and water.
Trees reduce the temperature in urban environments by casting shade and creating humidity.
They also help break the flow of storm-water runoff. Planted in the right location, trees can substantially reduce a homeowner's cooling bill by shading the house. The ideal location for a shade tree is the west side of your property, far enough from the house so the tree can reach full size unimpeded. When the sun is at its hottest point, a large tree will shade the west wall and some of the roof. If you also paint your house white, you could save a lot of money on your cooling bill.