We love having a garden. It is great to be able to get outside anytime we want. There is something especially nice about being able to eat outside. If you are lucky enough to have a garden, it is well worth your while investing a little time and money in keeping it looking nice.

An easy way to do this is to plant a tree or two. They can be used to enhance your outdoor spaces in several ways. Below are some of our favourites.

Create somewhere shady for everyone to sit under

Fast-growing shade trees look wonderful and are very practical too. Once mature you can set up some sort of seating under it and enjoy the shade. It really feels much cooler under a tree like this. It typically feels between 7 and 15 degrees cooler when you are under a big tree. This is the case even though a thermometer will only show a difference in the air temperature of 1 or 2 degrees. The fact that the ground is cooler and there is more moisture in the air under a tree work together to make you feel much more comfortable.

Using trees to protect your privacy

If your garden is overlooked by your neighbours, you can potentially use some trees to block their view a little. They do not have to be super large to be effective. In fact, they should not be huge. If they are there is a risk that they could block out some of the light and make your garden and your neighbour’s too shaded. But, the right privacy trees will enhance your garden and theirs. You will both benefit from more privacy and having a splash of green to enjoy year-round.

Somewhere to play

Kids love playing in and around trees. If you plant a big enough one, a few years down the line there may be the opportunity to construct a tree house. Provided the structure is not solely supported by the tree the trunk does not have to be particularly thick. If you do want to get one built in your garden, take a look at this article.

Feed your family

Fruit trees look fantastic, especially the varieties that blossom in the springtime. They are good for the environment too. Like all trees, they cleanse the air and if you eat the fruit they produce you will be saving on food miles too.

Regardless of what type of tree you want to buy, it is wise to take your time. Once a tree is established digging it out will not be easy. It can cost a lot of money to get this done. Besides which it never feels good to have a tree chopped down.

So, it is best to avoid this situation by making sure that the tree that you buy and plant is really suitable for your home and garden. Fortunately, good advice is not hard to find. The best tree nurseries do not mind taking the time to discuss your needs and make suggestions. That includes the ones that sell online.