Besides housing birds and enhancing property, trees can be an economically sound investment for homeowners. A recent University study discovered that trees can lower the energy costs of heating a home by serving as windbreakers.

Strategically planted tress can save 10 to 12 percent of the energy used to heat a home, said Gordon Heisler, adjunct professor of forest resources. Heisler is also a research forest meteorologist with the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station of the U.S. Forest Service.

"The tree windbreaks reduce the wind flow, which in turn reduces infiltration of cold air into the house," Heisler said.

Coniferous trees are recommended for the windbreak system, he added. Fast-growing, dense trees with stiff branches offer the most resistance and are the most efficient, he said.

Trees should be planted along sides of the house exposed to winter winds, said David De Walle, professor of forest hydrology, who worked with Heisler on the research.

By observing the location of surrounding houses and hills, homeowners should be able to determine the direction of the wind flow, De Walle said. However, the same information can be found in a local library, climatic atlas, or a local airport, he added.

The distance the trees should be planted away from the house depends on the house's height and expected height of the grown tree, Heisler said. Good landscape design, however, will offer both windbreaks in the winter and shade in the summer, he said.

Heisler cautioned homeowners against the common practice of pruning the lower branches of the trees to provide for a "walkway" underneath them. This will increase the windspeed and defeat the windbreak system.

Researching the possibility of using trees to save energy costs began after the 1970s energy crisis and later interest in energy conservation, Heisler said.

However, windbreak trees are not the only way to reduce energy costs. In addition to the trees, proper insulation of the home is very important, said Fred Nicholas, an energy consultant engineer.

The most effective place to insulate is the attic, Nicholas said. Homeowners should check for cracks or small openings that allow cold air into the home. He added that outside electrical outlets are also common sources of chilly drafts.

Nicholas also suggests using storm windows or replacing-single paned windows in the home and keeping the thermostat turned down low in rooms that are not often used as additional ways to cut heating bills.