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+There's an old proverb that says the best time to plant a tree is twenty five years ago." In this tutorial we'll teach you how to build a time machine, travel back before your birth and plant a tree. When you return you'll be greeted by a full grown tree, shading your house and saving you millions in energy bills.
+
+Actually the editors gave that tutorial the thumbs down, so instead we'll take a look at how to plant a tree today. That way, in twenty-five years of forward time-travel, you can see your work towering majestically over the yard and your children will congratulate you for single handedly restoring the ecological balance of the earth.
+
+Actually, planting trees isn't just a feel-good, uh, tree-hugging undertaking. Federal research has shown that well thought out tree planting can [http://www.epa.gov/hiri/resources/pdf/HIRIbrochure.txt lower summertime temperatures in cities], dramatically reduce your air-conditioning bills and help trap some of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.
+
+According to the U.S. Department of Energy, planting just three deciduous trees around your home can [http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/ save the average household between $100 and $250 annually] in cooling and heating costs. The same goes for cities -- well shaded cities are on average 5-10 degrees cooler than their barren strip-mall laden counterparts.
+
+==How it Works==
+
+When it comes to staying cool in the summer heat, shade is the key. 
+
+Planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your home will block the intense afternoon sun and help keep your house cool without ever touching the A/C. 
+
+In winter the problem is reversed and you want to get as much sun on your house as you can. Because deciduous trees lose their leaves in Autumn, the same afternoon sun will be more plentiful in Winter, helping to keep your house warm through those snowy months.
+
+Evergreen trees can also serve a windbreak in winter. Planting the north side of your home (generally the origin of winter winds) with evergreens allows you to create a natural windbreak and keep those fridge drafts to a minimum.
+
+==Going Native -- What Trees to Plant==
+
+Before you run out and spend a fortune on trees, it's important to know what sort of trees do well in your area. Your better nurseries will only stock trees that do well in your climate zone, but larger chains are less scrupulous about what they carry, so it pays to do some research.
+
+Your best bet is to plant trees that are native to where you live. As the eco-conscious will tell you, outside species can act like invaders and squeeze out native plants, forever destroying the ecological balance in your area. 
+
+While that's true, there's a much more practical reason to plant native trees -- you know they can survive the local climate.
+
+But of course just because a tree is native to your local ecosystem doesn't mean it will thrive in your yard. There are [http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/TreePtg.html other considerations] as well such as your existing trees and shrubs -- will your native tree be in the shadow of an older tree? Or, conversely, will it be alone in the full sun when actually it thrives as a sub-canopy tree?
+
+The best source of answers to questions like these is to talk to your local nursery expert or check out one of the many internet forums dedicated to planting of trees.
+
+Other things to look into include topic like the lifespan and growth rate of your tree. How big will your tree get? When planting a small sapling, it's difficult to imagine it towering over your house twenty-five years from now, but it may well end up that way, so keep that in mind when you're deciding where to put it. 
+
+Also consider the root system. Although a large, spread out root system makes a tree more stable and better able to withstand wind and storms, it can also uproot your driveway or patio.
+
+The last thing to bear in mind is diversity. Don't plant the same tree all the way around your house. Not only is that boring, it means all your trees are susceptible to the same diseases. The classic example of this is the American Elm, which was once widely planted throughout the U.S. 
+
+Unfortunately when Dutch elm disease showed up the close proximity of American Elms sped the spread to the disease and in the end thousands of communities lost all their street trees in only a few years.
+
+The solution is to plant several different species so that, should a disease strike, at least some of your trees are likely to survive.
+
+==Where to Plant==
+
+Once you've selected what type of tree you'd like to plant the next step is figuring out where to put it.
+
+We've touched a few concerns -- size and root system requirements -- but here's a few more rules of thumb: never plant a tree within 35' of utility lines, don't block the line-of-site on your street and cause an accident and always call your utility companies before you dig a sizable hole in your yard, that way you won't hit underground utility or sewer lines.
+
+Another good idea is to check your soil drainage rate. Dig a hole as deep as the one you're planning to put the tree in and fill it with water. If the water drains at a rate of less than one inch per hour, consider installing drainage or, at the very least make sure you choose a tree that can handle "wet feet."
+
+Other ideas to consider: 
+
+# Plant a tree to shade the area around and above your air conditioner. If your air conditioner draws air from a cool, shaded area it doesn't have to work as hard and that saves you money. Just make sure you keep the air intake area clear of leaves and branches.
+# Even in areas where there isn't room for a huge tree, smaller shrubs and vines can provide similar benefits. Shrubs, bushes and vines planted next to your house help create dead air space which insulates your home.
+# Be aware of microclimates, the very localized weather conditions within your yard. A very sheltered yard may support vegetation not normally adapted to the region. But at the same time, if your house is on an exposed north-facing slope it will require much hardier trees and shrubs.
+
+
+==Conclusion==
+
+So maybe you should have started planting trees twenty-five years ago, but even if you don't get started until today, by selecting the right tree and putting it in the right spot you can enjoy the benefits within five to ten years. 
+
+For those of you looking for more energy saving tips and tricks, have a look that the U.S. Department of Energy's [http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/pdfs/energy_savers.pdf PDF guide], which is surprisingly helpful and chock full of suggestions for green living.