R. Harper Mason

This is the time of year when premature trimming of shade trees usually starts. It seems God’s plan for tall, trees with spreading limbs needs some help, or at least a lot of folks think that’s the case. I want to encourage you to actually think before you start whacking off limbs and cutting down shade trees. Do you want to increase your electricity bill by 25% during the summer? No one does, but by removing a shade tree, or trimming it back to a bush, that’s exactly what you will accomplish. Instead of trimming, plant a tree, and not just any tree. Recently I’ve started planting Autumn Blaze Maple. It’s a new hybrid maple that will thrive even in the south. It has a full green foliage during the summer, and a bright red leaf color in the fall. It’s a super tree!
It’s simple: Shade trees cut your cooling cost in the summer and add thousands of dollars to the value of your home. This year give your friends a tree for Christmas. It’s a gift that will save them money and give them pleasure for years to come.