according to<\/a> the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The hotter urban surfaces are most noticeable in the evenings, when it can be a scorching 22 degrees Fahrenheit warmer in urban areas than rural areas \u2014 adding to already serious global warming concerns.<\/p> \u201cHeat islands affect communities in many negative ways, including increasing energy use, higher cooling costs, increased air pollution, and increased heat-related illnesses,\u201d says Pete Smith, certified arborist and urban forestry program manager for the Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit promoting tree planting for a healthier world.<\/p>
But you can do something about UHI effects with your landscaping choices. Adding green space of any kind helps, but specific types of landscaping can have a significant impact on reducing the heat island effect.<\/p>
Follow these five tips for the coolest lawn and garden in the neighborhood.<\/p>
1. Plant Trees<\/h2>
Expanding tree canopies creates shade, cooling surfaces and reducing ambient temperatures. Trees in urban areas also tend to grow up to 25 percent faster than those planted in rural areas, according to 2017 research, and the warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons associated with the heat island effect appear to contribute to that rapid growth.<\/p>
For the biggest impact, Smith suggests adding multiple trees to the landscape \u2014 and encouraging the neighbors to follow suit.<\/p>
\u201cTrees in combination often have a greater impact than a single tree planted in the lawn,\u201d he says. \u201cNeighborhoods with well-shaded streets can be 6 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than neighborhoods without street trees \u2026 and trees are the most affordable and sustainable solution to reducing the heat island effect.\u201d<\/p>
New research found that aiming for 40 percent (or more) canopy cover in metropolitan areas was associated with the biggest impact on the heat island effect. Once the canopy cover reaches that level, it’s a tipping point for air quality in an urban climate, the research suggests, helping urban temperatures stay down.<\/p>
2. Choose the right location<\/h2>
Planting tall deciduous trees on the east, west and northwest sides of the house provides shade to protect against the hot summer sun and act as windbreaks in the winter.<\/p>
\u201cPlanting the right trees in the right places \u2026 will help fight climate change,\u201d Smith says.<\/p>
Installing trellises so trees, shrubs or vines can grow over paved areas like patios and sidewalks will cool those hot surfaces and adding trees near the air conditioner for extra shade will help reduce summer cooling costs up to 35 percent, according to Smith.<\/p>
3. Add a water feature<\/h2>
When water evaporates, it has a natural cooling effect. Given that the temperatures in water can be almost 43 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than the surrounding urban environments, the air around bodies of water is lower, too. Installing a pond can help work as a natural air conditioner in the landscape.<\/p>
Rain gardens, located in a natural depression in the landscape and planted with native trees and shrubs, help reduce the heat island effect. The gardens collect rainwater and allow it to absorb into the ground where it has more time to evaporate and cool the air.<\/p>