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® Planting trees can reduce energy consumption Planting trees and shrul us reduce our energy cons as much as 10% to 50%, san energy and the environment By MARK CULLEN Special to the Oakville Beaver shrubs can help consumption by b. saving moneyv, Trees aren‘t only aesthetically pleasing, they cool us in summer by providing shade and by evaporating water from their leaves, and they warm us in winter by acting as a shelter from the wind. Urban areas called "heat islands are usually warmer than side. This is faces found and concrete are usually two or three degrees warmer than the surrounding countryâ€" side. This is caused by the many surâ€" faces found in cities, such as asphalt and concrete, that heat up and stay hot. Urban heat islands increase cooling costs, energy use and air pollution, and they raise the likelihood of unhealthy smog levels. In fact, three to eight percent of curâ€" rent electricity demand is used to comâ€" pensate for the urban heatâ€"island effect alone. Urban heat islands are a probâ€" lem in cities across the country, regardâ€" less of their size. If you‘d like to help reduce the urban heatâ€"island effect by taking advantage of trees‘ natural ability to moderate surround temperatures, conâ€" sider these tips: 5 * Plant deciduous trees on the side of your house facing west and on the side of your house facing east. This +o. e . Db ‘ cfl 4182 North Service Rd. E Sales Representative +# 8$A2â€"7000 SOLD JUST LIST ED way, you can gain cooling shade durâ€" ing the summer and insulating warmth during the winter. Ask the experts at your local retail garden centre for trees that grow well in your area. * In the summer, provide shade for your air conditioner with a tree, hedge, or vineâ€"covered trellis. This will increase the energy efficiency of your unit. Mark Cullen is President of Weall and Cullen Nurseries. Listen to Mark Cullen on THE GARDEN sHOW CFRB 1010 Saturdays 10 to noon. Look for A GREENER THUMB by Mark Cullen and Mark Cullen‘s brand new book THE REAL DIRT, The Complete Guide To Back Yard, Balcony and Apartment Composting available now at your local bookstore or garâ€" den centre.