Plant Trees This Fall: Small Investment Now Can Yield Big Results Later
 We're seeing nurseries discount trees by up to 75% this fall. That means homeowners can improve their landscaping and increase their property value for a very reasonable price. Take a look at the results of a recent study on the effect of trees on property values:
Results of a recent study show that one dollar invested in upgrading an average landscape to "excellent" quality returns $1.35 in added property value. While most homeowners know that landscape is a big draw for buyers, they are unsure of how much and what kinds of landscaping affect the property value.
The study reports that, "General tree cover adds 2-9 percent to the value of existing homes, and just a single tree can add up to 2 percent to the property value." Hedges, walls, landscaped curbs, and dense vegetation can each add 2-4 percent to the property value. If your home has more trees than nearby homes, the value shoots up by about 7 percent.
"The perceived value of a home may increase by 5-11 percent with landscape that is sophisticated in design, incorporating large plant size, evergreen and deciduous plants, annual color plants, and colored hardscapes." The study concludes that, "The results show that improvement in landscaping from average to excellent quality increases house sale price by 10.8 percent with approximately 30 percent of the increase in sale value due to added tree cover."
The study, "Impact of Improved Landscape Quality and Tree Cover on the Price of Single-Family Homes" was published in Horticulture Research Institute Journal of Environmental Horticulture.
What else makes trees so valuable? Consider the following:
- "The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day." - U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 50 percent, by shading the windows and walls of a home." - American Public Power Association
- "A mature tree can often have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000." - Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers
Interested? The team at RYCO Landscaping will help you choose the right type of trees for your property, determine where to plant them, choose the best specimens from our suppliers and plant and mulch your new trees for you. Plus you'll receive care and watering instructions to keep your new investment healthy for years to come. |
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Make Jack-o-Lanterns Last Longer
- Remove dirt: Wipe the exterior surfaces of the pumpkin
 clean using a damp cloth.
- Make a bleach solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach per quart of water and put it in a spray bottle.
- Spray the pumpkin inside and all cut areas of the pumpkin with the solution. This will kill much of the surface bacteria and mold that cause rotting.
- Let it penetrate and dry for about 20 minutes.
- Next, rub all of the carved or cut surfaces with petroleum jelly. This will keep out new bacteria and molds as well as dramatically reduce the dehydration!
- Wipe away excess with a paper towel.
- Let petroleum jelly set before lighting a candle or use a flameless candle.
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Winterizing Checklist
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Give your lawn a good raking to lift away debris.
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Rake fallen leaves from grass. Leaves left on lawn over winter will smother and kill grass.
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Cut back perennials and clean leaves and debris from planting beds.
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Kill insects by digging or tilling the garden in the fall. This exposes the insects to winter cold and reduces their numbers in next year's garden.
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Spray fruit trees or large deciduous trees with dormant oil if aphids, scale or mites were a problem in the past. Dormant oil is one of safest methods of pest management and is safe for the environment and the user.
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Protect evergreen trees and shrubs from drying winter winds and severe weather with a Wilt-Pruf application.
If you'd rather spend your weekends doing something other than landscaping chores, give us a call at 800-955-RYCO.
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