Trees are one of nature’s best gifts to humankind. They provide significant benefits, not the least of which is the oxygen we breathe. They stand up through violent storms, provide shelter in the winter, shade in the summer.
Trees serve a variety of functions. For instance, the presence of trees on your property can provide continuous shade and reduce cooling bills. Having a combination of trees, lush plants, and flowers can improve your home’s aesthetic. For sure, expensive landscaping can be an indication of home’s high value, but the absence of trees doesn’t imply low value either. So, does removing trees help to increase your property value?
How do trees benefit a property?
Trees can add to your home’s value in may ways. Below are just some benefits of having treesin your front or back yard.
1. Improved Property Value
The presence of trees on a property increases the property value. A study by the Forest Research Institute in England found that trees can increase a property’s value by as much as 7% in the first year following their planting. The study was conducted on 2,000 properties in both urban and suburban areas.
2. Decreased Wind Noise
Dead trees increase wind noise around your home. It is part of the reason why people hire tree care companies to remove dead and rotting trees from their property. The result is a decrease in noise levels and a better looking lawn.
3. Increased Landscape Beauty
Trees provide an aesthetic value to a property, so removing trees from the landscape can make a home look dull to many people. Again having colorful plants and lush foliage can make your home look more inviting. Additionally, paying for well-manicured landscaping can cost you a pretty penny without necessarily [or meaningfully] adding to your home’s value. It depends on the circumstances.
How do Trees Impact Curb Appeal?
Trees on a property increase its curb appeal, which is the first impression potential buyers and renters get when they come to your property for purchase or rent. It’s essential to generate this curb appeal before placing a property on the market. The more appealing the property looks on paper, the more you can potentially add to the price when you sell. But it also means professionally landscaped yards and other aesthetic improvements will cost you much more.
Can Trees Ever Decrease a Property’s Value?
Dead trees are expensive to remove and can decrease property value. Especially if they affect other parts of the house. More on that in a little. Many factors determine a property’s actual value. In addition, there are many services you can seek to restore the value and curb appeal of your property after removing dead or damaged trees from your yard.
While having lush trees on your lawn can be attractive, problematic trees must be removed. For instance, tree roots may extend under sidewalks, driveways, and buildings. Not only can this be unsightly, it can create tripping hazards or even plumbing issues. When trees begin to damage drain pipes or plumbing, it can become a costly project to fix.
The costs to clear land can also become an expensive endeavor if you choose to go that route.
What Types of Tree Maintenance Can Improve Your Home’s Value?
1. Tree Pruning
The removal of dead branches and other parts of a tree can make a tree look more attractive. So, many experts recommend that you prune the trees in your yard instead of cutting them down entirely. They suggest that you trim down the limbs only if they are dead, are unsightly, or are in an area with a lot of sunlight.
2. Removal of Fallen Tree Branches
The removal of fallen tree branches can have a significant impact on the attractiveness and curb appeal of your home. The experts recommend you do this work at least twice a year. It will help your property retain its curb appeal and value.
3. Dead Wood Removal
The removal of dead wood can also increase curb appeal and improve property value by improving the aesthetics of your yard and landscape. The presence of dead wood makes a good impression on potential buyers, unlike living trees that may lose their leaves in the wintertime or can fall over during storms and cause damage to your home.
4. Pollarding or Thinning
It is another technique that tree service companies use to increase curb appeal and the value of your property. If you are interested in reducing the size and appearance of a tree while still keeping it alive, then pollarding or thinning is an excellent choice. This process maximizes sunlight exposure and scatters branches over a wider area, so there’s less shade on your property.
Trees That May Increase Property Value
Certain types of trees are highly sought out for their look or unique traits. Learn more about some different types of trees that can add to your home’s value.
1. Northern Red Oak
This oak is native to the northern part of the United States and it grows fast. It has high lumber value, and its leaves are suitable for feeding livestock or composting. In addition, the tree produces large acorns that are highly edible and good for wildlife.
2. Sugar Maple
This tree’s sap is sweet and nutritious, and the roots help to enrich the soil. The bark is edible, and its leaves help to shade the ground.
3. White Oak
This decorative tree produces valuable timber for furniture making, fencing, paneling, and flooring. It has little-to-no insect problems and is highly suitable for urban areas.
4. Crape Myrtle
The leaves are decorative, excellent for landscaping, and edible. The tree is drought-resistant.
5. Bigleaf Magnolia
It has a very high lumber value and is a good shade tree. It is ideally suited for ornamental planting and lining streets, and the tree is salt-tolerant.
Final Thoughts
The presence of trees on a property can increase both the aesthetic and economic value of a property. It pays to preserve existing trees and plant new ones. Trees provide aesthetic beauty and can help to reduce property maintenance costs. However, one must consider the ongoing costs of landscaping over the years and weigh those costs against the amount they increase your property’s value to determine if it’s worth it.