Plant with Purpose to Help Manage Your Energy Use

Plan ahead for spring with tips from MGE. 

If you're planning for spring planting, let MGE help with a smart landscaping strategy. Planting smart not only adds curb appeal, but it can also help you save energy. The key is to plant the proper tree or shrub in the proper place. Consider what's located above and below your desired planting location as well as the mature height and spread of a plant. Use these general planting tips for energy efficiency: 

1. Plant large, leafy trees on the east, west and south sides of your home to provide maximum summertime shade to help lower the surrounding air temperature. They should be planted at least 20 feet from the side of your home. 
2. Trees with lower leaves and branches work well on the west side of your home to offer shade from lower sun angles in the afternoon.   
3. Position trees and shrubs to shade air-conditioning units. Equipment that operates in the shade will use less electricity; however, be sure not to block the airflow.   
4. Plant bushes next to your house to create air space that will provide insulation year-round.   
5. Prevailing winter winds come from the west and north; use dense windbreaks as buffers from cold winter winds. 
6. Be sure to contact Diggers Hotline at least three working days before doing any digging in your yard. MGE and other participating utilities will mark the location of underground facilities on your property and indicate safe overhead line clearances. This free service will help you stay safe and avoid costly fines. Contact Diggers Hotline by submitting an online request or by calling 811 or 1-800-242-8511.   
7. External shading devices, such as awnings, overhangs and trellises, are another option to help prevent unwanted sunlight from entering your home in the summer. For south-facing windows, a shading device should be based on window size. There are online calculators to help determine where to install a shading device based on window size.  
8. For west-facing windows, the shading device needs a vertical component to block summer sun. Adding hanging vines to the shading device will help further block the sun. Consider creating a grid-like structure with plastic or rope, then add climbing vines. Vines that have leaves in spring and summer that fall off in fall or winter will help keep out the sun during the summer and allow in warmth during the winter. 

Get free advice from MGE Energy Experts 

MGE's Energy Experts are available through our Home Energy Line to help answer your questions and provide tips on landscaping for energy efficiency. Call 608-252-7117 and leave a message or send an email to AskExperts@mge.com. 

published: Feb-27-2025