The phrase "made in the shade" implies that someone has accomplished something without much effort and can sit back and enjoy him or herself "in the shade." For those of you with your tape measures and graph paper, plotting out plans for your landscape I would suggest that you plan to include some shade in your landscape, rather than give it all over to sun-loving flowers and shrubs.
Some of us need no convincing to plant and/or preserve the trees already on our property. They please the eye and calm the spirit. But for those who might need a little persuading to landscape around their trees, rather than removing them, there are some tangible benefits of shade trees that have actually been quantified. These include: (1) lower utility bills because properly placed shade trees can cool houses by 20 – 45 degrees during peak temperature periods. This translates into reduced air conditioning costs, (2) cleaner air because trees absorb carbon dioxide and other air pollution; the U.S. Forest Service estimated trees removed 26,000 tons of air pollution in one year in the Greater Kansas City area and, possibly, (3) a decrease in crime. A 12% decrease was found in an area with increased tree canopy in a study done by the University of Vermont. (4) It is also quite likely that an increase in trees in a neighborhood will improve home values. In Portland, Oregon homes on streets with lots of trees sold for $7,130 more than other similar houses without similar shade cover. So please think about SHADE when you are dreaming about beautifying your yard. As Jane Austen wrote, “To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdue is the most perfect refreshment.” And if you have a yard without any shade trees, and your climate and soil can sustain them, I suggest planting some. Then you, too, can have it "made in the shade" on a hot summer day. |
Ruthie RosauerRuthie photographs trees because she loves them. Archives
February 2019
CategoriesUpcoming EventsDecember 7 1 - 3pm A Walk in the Woods 423 N. Main St. Hendersonville, NC BOOK SIGNING Photographer and editor Ruthie Rosauer will be on hand to autograph copies of her book, THESE TREES. The book, a compilation of 140 trees photos paired with poems, has been described as "A gorgeous book, a heart-opening photo collection." |