Money Does Grow on Trees: Improving Property Value in a Natural Way By: Jillian Klein

*Read below for a bonus recipe from Founder and President, Claire Collins of Collins and Company.

In today’s economy, it is important for the homeowner to maximize the property value of one’s home. For many, this means refurbishing an old bathroom or retiling an entire kitchen. Although worthy, these updates can be very expensive and time consuming. However, there is a more natural way to increase the property value of one’s abode that often goes overlooked – trees. Trees not only can add value to your home, they also help to cool your property, thus lowering your monthly cooling costs which can grow to be very expensive during Floridian summers. In fact, trees properly placed around the home can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20–50 percent in energy used for heating. According to Arborday.org, if you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills will be 3% less and in 15 years the savings will be nearly 12%. Here are some other benefits to adding foliage to your home:

· A mature tree can often have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000.

· In one study, 83% of realtors believe that mature trees have a ‘strong or moderate impact’ on the sale-ability of homes listed for under $150,000; on homes over $250,000, this perception increases to 98%.

· Healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property’s value and aesthetically pleasing landscaping with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent.

· The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams.

A home before and after the plantation of foliage

As Florida residents, we have exposure to some of the most valuable and delicious fruit-bearing trees available. Guava, orange, papaya, avocado, banana, star fruit, and mango trees are just some of the fruitful ways to improve upon your home value and your kitchen recipes. As a special treat, Collins and Company’s Founder and President, Claire Collins, is happy to share her very own Mango Bread recipe with all of you!