The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The next best time is now.  ~Chinese Proverb

Trees are a valuable asset to a home, here a just a few examples:

Shade

• Some plants and flowers do not grow well in direct sunlight. The shade of the trees allows you to plant a multi layered landscape that you couldn't without the shaded area.
• Trees can shade windows so that the fabrics of your home such as draperies, flooring, and upholstery, along with other items in your home, so they will not fade as quickly.
• Summer time in the San Joaquin Valley is HOT! Trees can cool the temperature of home, outdoor living areas, and parked vehicles depending on where they are planted

Beauty

• Trees can be a backdrop for additional landscaping and give your home beautiful curb appeal.
• Each tree is unique in the style it creates which can help to create a look that in turn creates a feel that creates additional enjoyment of your home. For example, you can create a tropical get away with palm trees as one of your features around a pool. Having a large pine tree shedding needles into the pool daily won't create that getaway feel!

Increased value

• When you sell your home in the future you will have more mature vegetation which increases the value of your home both to you in the sales price, and to the buyer. As our Chinese proverb reminds us. If you haven't already planted that tree, plant it today!

Trees are also a wonderful benefit to a community. The City of Visalia, builders, and neighborhoods have decided to line streets with trees. Downtown Visalia has had a tree makeover over the past few years as trees were planted to create beautifully lined streets as the trees grow and mature. Some new neighborhoods are creating tree lined streets, while some older neighborhoods have planted trees many years after the neighborhood was built. In the years to come we will see more and more mature trees creating beautifully tree lined streets.

The benefits of trees are not limited to aesthetics or monetary value. There are many health benefits as well such as cleaner air and fewer sunburns at picnics!

When considering planting trees there are many factors to consider. Do you want native trees that require less water? What size tree is to scale with my home once full grown? What trees shouldn't be planted near my home due to their roots growing out and not down?

A few years ago I attending a class on trees held by Brian Kempf with The Urban Tree Foundation here in Visalia. It was so informative and valuable. Brian has been instrumental in working with the City of Visalia , many Visalia builders, and homeowners in neighborhoods who want to beautify Visalia with trees. Take a moment to visit The Urban Tree Foundation's website to learn more about trees - which ones to plant, how to care for them, and much more.

I leave you with this quote on this breezy day in Visalia.

Breeze is the conductor, trees the musicians, leaves the instruments.  ~Nathaniel LeTonnerre