patio leading to your front door? If so, consider planting a flower bed around the perimeter with bright, vibrant colors to help boost the positive feeling of your landscape. If you have a large tree in your front yard, a bird bath underneath it would definitely be a nice touch. Creating a plan will also help you to budget everything. If you’d like to step your game up further, consult with a landscape architect to further refine your landscaping plan. They will come out and show you what would look good and where, within your front yard, while taking your budget into account. PLANTING TREES If you plan on planting trees, research the issue or speak with a landscape architect to go over your options. You don’t want to plant a tree that will take decades to grow, such as an oak, but instead go with one that will only take a few years, such as a red maple. You can check the “value” of existing trees before you commit with the National Tree Benefit Calculator (http://treebenefits.com/calculator). This online tool allows anyone tomake a simple estimation of the benefits individual street-side trees provide. With inputs of location, species, and tree size, users will get an understanding of the environmental and economic value trees provide on an annual basis. You can find out which trees are worth what when it comes to property value, stormwater runoff, carbon dioxide reduction, energy savings, and more. For example, a red maple that is 24 inches in diameter is worth $244 in McLean, VA, and will add a solid value to your property. KEEP THE NATIVE PLANTS! Even if you’re not a fan of the native plants in your yard, do not remove them. Saguaro, which grows in Arizona, can add up to $5,000 to a home’s value, depending on the size. If you have a certain native plant on your property, you could even get certification from The National Wildlife Federation for creating or incorporating a natural back or front yard habitat for butterflies, birds, and other animals who are looking for a
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