Did you know that just three trees properly placed around a house could save up to 30% of energy use? This is according to the U.S. Forest Service Center for Urban Forest Research. One study found that trees planted on the south and west sides of houses in Sacramento, Calif., reduced summertime electricity bills by an average of $25.

Trees provide many benefits to all of us, every day. They provide cooling shade, block cold winter winds, attract birds and other wildlife, purify the air, prevent soil erosion, clean our water and add grace and beauty to our homes and communities. In Chicago, the city's 3.6 million trees reduce air pollution by about 890 tons annually, a $6.4 million benefit, according to the Forest Service. And in Portland, Ore., street trees growing in front of or near a house added an average of $8,870 to its sale price and reduced time on the market by nearly two days. (Bing: What are the best trees for your yard?)

Planting the right trees in the right places conserves energy and reduces your energy bills, while helping to fight global warming.

Try these tips for getting the most energy- and money-saving benefit from the trees you plant on your property.

Fireplace Safety

Copy and paste the link below in your web browser to find out the safest way to use and maintain your fireplace: http://static.hpba.org/fileadmin/factsheets/product/FS_FireplaceSafety.pdf