Landscape shading is when trees and shrubs are planted around a property and placed in areas that provide shade to the home from the hot sun. Doing this can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 9 degrees Fahrenheit.
A vital first step is to plan well. Think about the size of the trees you will plant and their shape to determine how much shadow will be cast on the home and when. Remember too, that the density of the tree or shrub will determine how much continuous shade you will get. If you want less shade through the winter months then it would be better to use deciduous trees whose leaves will provide shade during the summer but fall off in the winter allowing the sun’s heat to reach the home.
Before you go ahead and use landscape shading for your home, however, it’s important to think about your property and its surrounding area to make sure you won’t increase moisture-related problems in your home by planting extra trees. You should also bear in mind that you are likely to spend a lot more than you save at first due to the cost of certain trees and shrubs.