The Giving Tree
Going to the trouble of building around beautiful mature trees is well worth the effort.
This amazing home which was built by the principal of Modal Design in the LA suburb of Venice, California, is a great example. Read the article about this project in Dwell Magazine .
California has a hot and dry climate similar to many parts of Australia and US designers in the warmer states like California and Texas especially, are increasingly incorporating mature amenity trees in their designs, with stunning results.
Studies show that trees add value to properties, so it is about visual appeal. As urban temperatures rise, properties with large shade trees will become increasingly sought after.
The benefits are both visual and tangible Outdoor areas like the one below can be enjoyed from day one in a new home, improving quality of life immensely. Man-made shade sails and structures just don’t enhance the amenity or cool like big shade trees.
At ArborCarbon we have received a noticeable increase in enquiries from planners and designers requesting Arboricultural reports in their initial site context analyses, with the objective of retaining and building around existing trees. Builders are also contacting us for advice on how to protect trees on construction sites.
It is great to see more people thinking outside the square and incorporating and protecting beautiful mature trees. The health benefits provided to the occupants of a dwelling by surrounding trees should not be underestimated.