Heavy storms this summer brought down about 20 trees near where I live. One of the downed trees just happened to be a couple-of-decades-old towering blue spruce belonging to my neighbor
I was happy to see it go.
Now before you go judging me for saying that, let me explain. I love trees. I was heartsick when I saw the destruction in the area. But that particular tree, well, it had been an eyesore and sort of a thorn in my side.
People stashed garbage and other objects (I once saw a suitcase) under there. There have also been bodies — live passed-out ones — snoozing underneath its branches, which were low to the ground and good for hiding things.
But those aren’t the only reasons I was OK with the fact that the storm had taken out the blue spruce. It was because I now had a slice of my view of the park and lake back. Beautiful Lake Michigan, shimmering on a perfect summer day with not a cloud in the sky, is surely a sight to behold.
My husband asked the neighbor not to replace the tree. “Don’t count on it,” our neighbor told us. He also added that trees increase property values. (So do views, which of course are not protected in the city of Chicago).
This all prompted me to check out the pros and cons of trees. I figured the pros outweigh the cons, and there’s no doubt about that. According to information given to me by Rob Sproule, superintendent of forestry for Oak Park, there are social, environmental, financial and other benefits to having trees around your home.
Trees definitely add value to one’s home, said Sproule.
“Studies have shown that trees raise property values and can lower energy costs,” he said.
Trees can reduce stress, have a calming effect, help with fatigue, and even decrease recovery time from illness and surgery, the information states.
“Trees provide privacy, accentuate views, reduce noise and glare, and even enhance architecture,” it says. I beg to differ with that view accentuation but I guess it depends on the case.
Trees also improve air quality, reduce storm water runoff and help to harbor wildlife. They have a cooling effect that can counteract heating of urban pavement and buildings, thus lowering cooling costs.
And here’s the kicker: “Property values of landscaped homes are 5 to 20 percent higher than those of non-landscaped homes based on the species, size, condition and location of the trees included in the landscape,” according to the information Sproule gave me. (I’m really hoping my neighbor doesn’t read this).
But wait a minute here, because Lee Stahnke, a broker with Century 21 Grande in Harwood Heights, said: “It depends on the tree.”
“If trees are not in proportion to the house, it’s going to distract,” said Stahnke. “One of the main things about a piece of property is how it looks from the street.”
Trees in front of a house, on the parkway, can be overdone, said Stahnke, who added, “A blue spruce can start out little…” after we laughed about my situation.
Trees can also cause problems such as overgrown branches tearing up roofs, leaves in gutters and attracting animals. They can also get into plumbing systems, Stahnke said, who once showed a house where a tree was sprouting in the basement.
“Trees can cause a lot of problems,” Stahnke said. “Once you take them down, it doesn’t mean their roots come out.”
But Sproule said that most of the arguments against trees when associated with tree roots are “myths.”
“Tree roots don’t break foundations or sewer pipes,” Sproule said. “If a tree root has gotten in, then they were already broken.”
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The arguments go back and forth. But no matter what, I still love trees.
But I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what my neighbor does as far as his tree planting goes. Until then, I’ll just sit back and enjoy the view.
Felicia Dechter is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press. Got a real estate-related story idea? Email her at [email protected].