You might think that trees around your house are there just for beautiful landscaping, but did you know that by planting trees strategically, you could save as much as 10% on your cooling bills? There are 2 reasons for this. First, the trees will provide shade and because of this prevent your home from heating up. And second, they release water vapor into the surrounding air which further helps cool down your home.
When you are making the decision of what trees to plant, it could be tempting to choose fast-growing trees that will give a quick return on your investment, but this choice comes with some downsides. These types of trees are prone to insect infestation, damage due to drought and wind, and generally, they have a shorter lifespan than slow-growing trees.
The best locations for planting trees are on the west or south side of your house. They would need to be fairly close to your home for the shade to cover it well and have the greatest effect.