Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Michael McIntyre

Urban Regional Extension Agent

Natural Resources/Home Horticulture

May 5, 2009

Promoting Business Opportunities thru Trees

During most of our environmental events, such as earth day or arbor day  speakers lecture on tree planting demonstrations in an open space, pollution, the importance and values of trees and others may conduct a tree planting demonstration in and around their neighborhood.  All of this is important.  We need to know the proper way to plant a tree so that it can grow strong and healthy.  We also need to know that trees take in carbon emission that can be harmful to us and the environment.  But trees also have the ability to change people`s behavior and the way they perceive a business.

However, we seldom plant trees around our stores or service stations.  Business owners may think that trees may obstruct customers’ view of their goods, may damage the building during stormy weather, or they may want to avoid the extra burden of raking leaves, watering and pruning.  All of this may be true, but the economic benefits that can be achieved from planting trees around your business, welcomes your customers before they get inside which, increase sales and ultimately your profits.  In one survey, customers said they would be willing to pay, on average, 12% higher for products in districts with trees. We can always overcome the hazards of trees and reduce the cleaning up of leaves by selecting evergreens, such as, Loquat, Holly, Boxwood and Juniper. You could add a little color by incorporating Ligustrum or Loropetalum.

Trees are good for your business environment.  They attract visitors, passersby or lay persons who might just be curious as to what type of plant you have at your business site.  Once the visitors are attracted to your business they are more likely to purchase.  Visitors or shoppers may consider the entrepreneur with trees as a good steward of the environment and therefore support the business because of this.  A survey conducted in a southern community revealed that 74% of the public preferred to patronize a business whose structures and parking lots are beautiful with trees and other landscape.

We all are consumers of goods and services and there is something that directs our purchasing power.  A store without trees planted around will be less appealing to us than one that has some landscaping.  In this time of economic downturn, entrepreneurs should do all in their power to promote their business and increase profit by incorporating nature into their business.

Email address: mnm0001@auburn.edu

Phone: (251) 574-8445

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.