KCPL Kids - Conserving Electric Energy, Shade Trees

Shade Trees

By planting only 3 shade trees in the right place, they can save you an average of $100 to $250 per year on energy costs for your household over a period of eight years. That's as much as 25% of the energy used for heating and cooling.

Areas that have shade trees are cooler because the water of the trees' leaves is evaporated by the sun which cools the air. The fewer trees and grass around your house or neighborhood, the warmer it gets. Properly planted trees can also protect houses from the sun light in summer and cold winds in the winter.

You can learn about the right trees to plant depending on where you live. Once you know what kind of trees to plant, then you need to know where to plant them.

Experts recommend planting shade trees:

in the direction of the prevailing wind
at a distance of about 2 to 5 times the height of the mature tree
always avoid power lines

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