Trees Can Boost Your Property Value

1 April 2022

Most homeowners know that a thoughtfully planned kitchen or bath remodel will bring them top dollar when it comes time to sell. However, landscaping can increase your home value too. In addition to increasing your property value, trees add visual interest and can help reduce cooling and heating costs. If you’re ready to boost your home’s value and lower those utility bills, pick one of these trees that are perfect to grow in our local climate.

Swamp White Oak

  • Extremely attractive tree
  • Requires very little watering
  • Prefers full sunlight

If you want a tree that is easy to take care of but still extremely beautiful and striking, the Swamp White Oak is a fantastic option. The light gray bark makes it different from the rest of the trees you see in a yard, especially when it is younger. Once it grows, the lobed leaves have a unique two-tone appearance, with a brilliant emerald green on the top and a silvery underside.

In fall, this tree is a gorgeous orange-gold color that will attract a lot of attention. Most homeowners use this tree as a shade tree for a larger yard because it does reach about 60 feet tall. As expected, this tree is very drought tolerant.

Paperbark Maple

  • Great for smaller yards
  • Typically doesn’t require water
  • Prefers full sun if possible

One of the best trees for our climate is the Paperbark Maple. This is a small tree with an oval or rounded shape. The branches are slender and upright, making it a great choice for small places. It only grows to be about 30 feet, so it can be paired with other trees of the same size, other Paperbark Maples, or just by itself, depending on the space you have.

The interesting part about this tree is the bark, which is a copper orange color at some points and a reddish brown at others. It peels off in pieces, creating a beautiful mosaic on the trunk of the tree.

Pin Oak

  • Typically doesn’t require watering
  • Can be ornamental or stand alone
  • Tolerant of urban stressors

The Pin Oak tree is another popular one for homeowners to plant because it doesn’t interfere with most concrete or hardscaping work. Even better, it grows extremely quickly, making it the tree of choice for those who want to plant a tree and actually enjoy it. It is also resistant of urban stressors.

Note that some people don’t like this tree because as it ages, it sometimes becomes irregular and will have quite a bit of difference in the circumference of the crown, but pruning can help this. Lower branches will also start to droop, leaving pin-like branches.

Sugar Maple

  • Grows up to 110 feet
  • Requires minimal watering
  • Does best in full sun

If you are looking to make a commitment with your tree, the Sugar Maple is a fantastic option. This tree doesn’t only grow extremely tall, which means you’ll need a wide open space to plant it, but it lives a long life. In fact, it can live over 400 years.

Most people plant the Sugar Maple because they want the gorgeous autumnal coloring, which will be quite a show for your family. The vibrant yellows, bright reds, and burnt oranges are truly spectacular. Even better, this tree can make maple sugar if the conditions are right and you know what you’re doing.

According to the National Arbor Day Foundation, this tree grows at a medium rate, growing anywhere from 1-2 feet per year. Once it reaches its peak, however, it is extremely hardy.

Red Oak

  • Tolerant of all types of pollution
  • Easy to take care of
  • Requires water only during drought

If you are looking for a tree that can withstand almost anything that the world has to throw at it, a Red Oak may just be your best bet. It is known to be an extremely strong and hardy tree, able to withstand wildlife, disease, weather, and human interaction.

A Red Oak can reach up to 75 feet wide and tall, so it is definitely a tree for a larger yard. Note that this one does grow much faster than other types of oak trees, so you should consider that. The tree wears each season beautifully, with bright red leaves in the autumn and a green luster in the summer. It is also the preferred tree for many different animals because it has large acorns.

BOTTOM LINE: At the end of the day, whatever tree you plant, it will need proper care, maintenance, and treatment in order for it to thrive.