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Adding a mature tree to your garden is the perfect way to increase the shade and help you escape the summer heat. It'll mean you can knock years off the growing time and give you instant shade. “A shade tree can even help to slow water evaporation from a thirsty lawn or garden, which means the whole backyard will benefit,” Katie explains.
If you've just moved into a new home or you're looking to create a private backyard paradise, planting a mature screening or hedging plant is a great idea. Not only will you save years of growing time, but there's a lot of maintenance and care that you won't have to do. “An added benefit is that it will also reduce noise from the neighbourhood and it can even absorb dust from any nearby roads,” says Katie.
Many fruit trees don't produce a crop until they're three years old. It can also take many more years for them to produce a sizeable harvest. However, you can speed up the process by planting a mature fruit tree. So, if you're looking forward to a glass of home-grown lemonade or a fresh apple, a mature fruit tree is perfect for you.
“If you're struggling to hold your soil in place and are suffering from erosion, planting mature or advanced trees will help,” Katie explains. Whether you place them on a hillside or near a dam or creek, mature trees will help slow water runoff and hold soil in place. By using a mature tree and reducing the growing time of a sapling, you can make a big difference to your home and land.
If you're looking to cool your home over summer, planting some carefully chosen and well-placed mature trees can do wonders. Use them to shade the southern and western sides of your home and it could even help you to cut your air conditioning usage. A good tip is to pick a deciduous tree for your shade. This'll allow the sun to warm your home in the cooler months after its leaves have dropped.
Katie also points out “that if you are looking to prevent cool northerly winds from hitting your home in winter, plant mature trees on the northern side of your house for some respite and to reduce the wind factor.”
Discover the full range of mature and advanced plants at your local Bunnings.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
