by Algy Moncrieff

Created on: December 13, 2006   Last Updated: July 03, 2009

Trees are fantastic things. There are a very great number of reasons why you should plant trees around your house, although many of the reasons will only apply to certain trees - there are, of course, countless different types of tree. Also a note of warning: don't plant them too close to the house! The roots, especially of larger, older, more established trees, are hugely spreading and can easily destroy the foundations of the house given enough time! In most cases however this need not be a risk. The only other problem with planting lots of trees is that they are often quite expensive. Still, it tends to be worth it.

So, why plant trees around your house?

1. They look great. Thinking about it, it is not entirely clear why this should be the case; why should we prefer trees to grey concrete? Who knows. Nevertheless it is generally uncontroversial that trees are very attractive, and will make any house look nicer than if it was bare. Of course a garden can be beautiful without having any trees in it (lots of flowers for instance) but trees add an extra level, they produce shade, and give you something else to look at - so they will still improve most gardens! Every different tree is attractive in a different way of course, but pretty much all are good in some way.

2. They give you fruit. In this day and age of trying to cut down on food miles and buy local produce, how closer can food be sourced than a few metres from your back door?! Of course this will require fruit trees, and they will only bear fruit at certain times of year, but it is still a good reason to plant trees. Fruit trees can be a bit tricky, only bearing fruit in certain climates so it's worth talking to someone who knows what they're talking about and reading up a bit on the subject before slapping a mango tree in your freezing cold garden. It won't be happy.

3. They produce oxygen, and take in carbon dioxide. Once again, there are more and more reasons these days to be green, and planting trees is perhaps the most effective way of doing this. They take in nasty carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and produce oxygen in its place, which is not a greenhouse gas. As such, by planting trees, they will be constantly cleaning the air and helping to fight global warming. It'll be a small contribution, but nevertheless a significant one, especially in the longer run.

4. They protect the garden against the elements. Their spreading branches provide both shade from the hot sun and also from the force of heavy rain. Obviously plants will generally want water and sun but heavy rain can cause serious soil erosion and can damage the garden. A tree will reduce the force of the rain, as well as anchoring soil, preventing erosion. In most gardens this won't be a serious problem, but it can be. In certain parts of the world soil erosion caused by deforestation causes rivers to silt up and flood, which can be a serious problem, although this is not really a reason for you to plant trees unless you happen to live somewhere like Nepal, where deforestation is causing flooding in Bangladesh.

I reckon that's about it. Next time you're stuck for a Christmas present for someone, why not buy them a tree? Why not buy yourself a tree for that matter?!

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