The Value of Curb Appeal

Landscaping adds real value to your home by improving "curb appeal" - that important first impression that visitors (and maybe potential buyers) take away with them.

According to the Gallup Organization, landscaping can add 7 to 15 percent to a home's value.

You can also consider new landscaping a home improvement. Money Magazine says that landscaping can bring a recovery value of 100 to 200 percent at selling time.

In addition to a financial windfall, properly designed landscaping can also provide practical low cost solutions for a number of site problems. Plants prevent erosion, block the wind, provide shade, reduce noise and increase privacy.

A landscape's value, where real estate prices are concerned, is directly related to size and permanence. A mature tree can have an appraised value of $1,000 - $10,000 according to the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers.

Trees add the most value followed by flowering shrubs. A good strategy is to plant a combination of trees, shrubs, and perennials. As trees and shrubs mature, remove the perennials. Be judicial in your plant placement though and consider how large your trees and shrubs will be in 10 years.