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Plant Trees to Stay Cool
So it's the middle of winter and you're probably not yet thinking about the heat of summer. On the other hand, we're in the Tu b'Shevat season, the New
Year of Trees, and now is a good time to start thinking about your summer cooling bills. A survey of 300 Jewish families living in suburban communities in America found that 67% of them live in homes with
central air conditioning; 23% had window air conditioners; and 10% used window fans. Most significant is the fact that less than 5% of the respondents indicated they had considered planting shade trees to
reduce their heating bills.
In the days before air conditioners became so popular, trees provided the only relief from winter heat. The next time you drive through the country keep
your eyes open for an old farmhouse and you'll see it surrounded by large, shady trees. Perhaps the other problem is that people do not live in the same place for as long as our parents and grand-parents used
to live. Still, it makes good sense and a healthy alternative to plant trees around your home. Planting on the west, northwest or southwest of a building will provide the biggest cooling benefit.
Lombard Popular are very quick growing trees that can provide a perfect "screen" against the setting sun. Maple and oak take a lot longer to grow but offer the greatest amount of shade. Sheltering the
roof of your home from the direct rays of the sun can lower your attic temperature by up to 15 degrees.
And, planting trees reduces the CO2 in the atmosphere, one of the reasons the earth's temperatures are rising.
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