| Saving energy, controlling energy use, recycling, | | | | which will lower the wind chill near your home. |
| downsizing were all topics of conversation for | | | | Wind chill takes place when wind speed lowers the |
| Boomers when they established Earth Day some | | | | outside temperature. |
| 40 years ago. Today, especially in a slow | | | | The best windbreaks block wind close to the |
| economy retirement, they are even more | | | | ground by using trees and shrubs that have low |
| dedicated to those topics. Their perspectives | | | | crowns. Also think about using evergreen trees |
| perspectives, however, may have changed | | | | and shrubs on the north and northwest side of |
| somewhat. They may be thinking more about | | | | your home to break the wind. Most landscaping, |
| what kind of legacy they leave behind rather than | | | | especially in the northern region, combines tress, |
| participating in protesting marches, but the | | | | bushes and shrubs. For example, evergreen trees |
| thoughtfulness and the determination remains. | | | | combined with a wall, fence or earth berm, a |
| As more baby boomers enter their retirement | | | | natural or man made raised area of soil, can |
| years they are looking to downsize their homes. | | | | deflect or lift the wind over the home. One |
| With smaller homes to heat and cool the instant | | | | caution: do not plant evergreens too close to the |
| result is lower energy usage. Lighting smaller | | | | south side of your home if you are counting on |
| rooms means saving electricity. Becoming a one | | | | warmth from the winter sun. |
| car family is also a possibility especially if the | | | | If snow tends to drift where you live, plant low |
| couple live in an urban setting. Besides, some | | | | shrubs on the windward side so they will trap the |
| retirees may not need two cars because they do | | | | snow before it blows next to your home. Planting |
| many of their activities together. | | | | shrubs, bushes and vines next to your house |
| Changing major appliances for something that | | | | creates dead air spaces that insulate your home |
| saves energy and money is also a current | | | | in summer and winter but be sure to leave at |
| boomer tendency. For instance, it seems that | | | | least one foot of space between the grown |
| when boomers downsize and move into another | | | | plants and the wall of your home. |
| residence, they often purchase the new water | | | | Incorporating shading concepts in your landscape |
| heaters that only heat water as it is used rather | | | | can also help reduce heating and cooling costs. |
| than heating a standing tank of water throughout | | | | Keep in mind that homes in cool regions may |
| the day. The initial cost of this green appliance is | | | | never overheat and may not require shading or |
| more than the standing water tank, but the | | | | only partial shading. Trees, for example, can be |
| energy savings during its life more than offsets | | | | selected with appropriate sizes, densities and |
| the higher upfront price. | | | | shapes for almost any shading application. They |
| Interestingly, more boomers are working at | | | | can block solar heat in the summer but let much |
| home, sometimes by choice and more often | | | | of it in during the winter when they have lost |
| these days, by company decision. Companies are | | | | their leaves. You can plant those deciduous trees |
| looking to downsize also and they can shrink their | | | | with high branches to the south side of your |
| operation costs by having employees work at | | | | home to provide maximum summertime roof |
| home and attend teleseminar meetings on the | | | | shading. Trees with lower crowns are more |
| Internet. Employees save money on commuting, | | | | appropriate to the west where shade is needed |
| money for office clothes, money for lunches and | | | | during the afternoon. For solar heated homes in |
| the snack machine. It takes a little adjustment but | | | | cold climates, do not plant deciduous trees on the |
| most boomers enjoy the change. | | | | south side because they will block out the winter |
| Some boomers have taken to drying their clothes | | | | sun. |
| on an outdoor line depending on climate. | | | | Trees, shrubs and ground cover plants can also |
| Interestingly, there are many communities which | | | | shade the ground and pavement around the |
| will not let you do that because it ruins the image | | | | house. This not only reduces heat radiation and |
| of the neighborhood. | | | | cools the air before it reaches the walls of your |
| Placement of trees, shrubs, and ground cover | | | | home but it also reduces the amount of grass |
| plants can also help reduce your heating and | | | | you need to maintain. A good idea is to build a |
| cooling coasts. For instance, you can provide wind | | | | trellis for climbing vines to shade a patio area. |
| protection for with properly placed landscaping | | | | |