What’s a free tree worth?

Highmark has partnered with Landscape Renovations to continue a tradition of offering complimentary seedlings at Parade of Homes tours. Here's a few compelling facts about the value—literally— of wooded lots.

• “The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.” — U.S. Department of Agriculture
• “Landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 50 percent by shading the windows and walls of a home.” — American Public Power Association
• “If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less. In 15 years the savings will be nearly 12%.”— Center for Urban Forest Research
• “A mature tree can often have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000.” — Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers
• “In one study, 83% of realtors believe that mature trees have a “strong or moderate impact” on the salability of homes listed for under $150,000; on homes over $250,000, this perception increases to 98%.” — Arbor National Mortgage & American Forests
• “Landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent.” — Management Information Services/ICMA

Highmark's Green Tree Project

Did you know that in one year, the average tree absorbs roughly 26 pounds of carbon dioxide and returns enough oxygen to the atmosphere to supply a family of four?

That’s why we’ve given away more than 2500 pine seedlings at Parade of Homes events. Sign up for our email list when you tour our next Parade home, and you can take home your own seedling.