Some Prince William homeowners are taking advantage of the warmer weather and a couple of upcoming holidays by bringing out their green thumbs.
Planting trees can bring environmental and financial benefits, according to Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) Energy Services Specialist Bob James.
“Trees add beauty and value to a home, but they also help the environment,” James said in a release. “Trees absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and, properly placed, they help homeowners save energy. We know that customers who have shade trees on the sunny sides of their homes and evergreen trees on their north and western sides have lower energy bills.”
NOVEC has a few tips for residents who are planting energy-saving trees for Earth Day on Sunday or Virginia’s Arbor Day on April 27.
Before homeowners start digging, NOVEC Vegetation Management Manager Rick Carpenter suggests they contact Miss Utility.
“Before picking up the shovel to plant a tree, call Miss Utility at 811,” Carpenter said in a release. “Workers will mark the location of all underground utility lines. Also, consider the mature size of the tree: You want to keep roots away from the underground utility cables.”
Community members should also be aware of how tall and wide the tree they are planting will be once it has matured.
“Trees should shade a house, but not spread over it. Otherwise, tree branches may break during storms and damage the roof or siding,” Carpenter added.
Residents should not plant them near overhead power lines.
Nearly 900,000 people in the Washington, D.C., area were without power during Winter Storm Riley on March 2 due to trees and branches that fell on power lines, according to Carpenter.
“Homeowners are not allowed to plant trees in NOVEC’s right-of-way areas. We may remove them without notice,” Carpenter said. “When planting in yards, use the number of feet the tree will grow to at maturity as the number of feet to plant it away from right-of-way areas. By heeding these guidelines, homeowners help prevent power outages from occurring during storms.”
Experts have several tree recommendations for Northern Virginia residents.
Oak, maple, and Japanese Zelkovas offer shade to a house’s eastern and southern sections, according to some specialists. Meanwhile, small and medium trees — including cherry, crabapple and dogwood — prevent a large amount of sunlight from entering the western side.
Deciduous trees can be shady, as well, according to the National Arbor Day Foundation.
They also help warm a house during the winter, when the sun’s heat goes through their branches.
Homeowners looking to save energy in the winter should plant rows of evergreens on the northern and western parts of their property.
Landscaping guidelines and a video are available at www.novec.com/vegetation.
