Did you know that trees and green landscaping can actually increase the value of your property, as well as attracting future residents?
This view has been backed by numerous pieces of third-party research over the years, including a Brigham Young University study in 2001, which showed that a property with mature trees, especially in high-income areas, can enjoy a price rise of up to 15 per cent.
Another study in 2006 (Wachter and Gillen) concluded that homes located close to new tree plantings can increase in price by about 10 per cent.
It’s reasonable to conclude, then, that most home buyers prefer properties surrounded by greenery, and yet trees are often overlooked by developers or simply tacked on to urban master plans as an afterthought.
Profitability aside, trees are important from an aesthetic, health, environmental and value-creation perspective. The spaces between homes are just as important as the homes themselves. That’s why my inclination is to design green spaces first, then add the built-up areas, rather than the other way around.
Trees play an incredibly important role in what might otherwise be a relatively sterile landscape. They give residents and visitors an emotional connect to where they live and also lower pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and ammonia (a single tree can absorb 22 kilograms of carbon annually). They’ve even been shown to reduce car accidents, particularly with planned demarcation that slows driving speeds in pedestrian zones.
The calming effect of trees has been proven to reduce fatigue, ADHD, road rage, anxiety, aggression, high blood pressure, and the stress hormone cortisol. They also help to lower noise pollution, while phytoncides released by trees have healing properties and encourage the presence of birds and butterflies.
This all sounds very well, but — as you might have guessed — choosing and nurturing a grove of trees is not an easy job in any part of the world, let alone the Gulf. What species should be selected? How much watering is required? How can the environmental impact of that process be minimised? These are some of the questions both enthusiastic and professional gardeners, and indeed developers, are confounded by.
When it comes to species, I am not the biggest fan of palm trees. While they are highly regarded in this part of the world for their heritage and the production of dates, they are also not very environmentally friendly. They provide very little shade, hardly produce any oxygen, remove only a limited amount of carbon and ozone from the atmosphere, and are also very thirsty.
A better solution for residential communities — and the planet — is a healthy mixture of trees and shrubs that are indigenous or from parts of the world with a similar climate. Flame trees, tree jasmine, neem, trumpet trees, Indian beeches and Indian laurels all complement the beautiful species that are native to the UAE, which include acacia (salam), sidr and the national tree of the UAE, ghaf.
When it comes to planting methods, groups or clusters, not lines are the answer. If you structure your green space with a tree canopy at the top, another layer of shrubs beneath and grass or other low-lying plants below that, you can even lower the overall ambient temperature of your community, according to a recent study conducted in Australia. This showed that tree canopies and grass cover decreased local daytime land surface temperatures by up to 6ºC during summer conditions of above 40ºC.
Watering is, unsurprisingly, a hot topic in a country where the per capita consumption rate is one of the highest in the world. As a result, there is often criticism that planting trees in the UAE is both expensive and unsustainable, due to unfavourable climactic conditions and water wastage.
People are often surprised to learn the actual cost of maintaining trees at Arada’s communities is close to zero. Naturally, we need to invest a small amount early on in the plantation process but the reality is the process can be cost-efficient. Community management teams should only ever irrigate with treated water. There is also a range of technology out there that can help monitor leakage points and further minimise water wastage.
The result is a splendid, leafy canopy that leads to a healthier and happier place to live in. And the best thing about trees? Like all great investments, they grow. Every season brings more maturity, more colour and more variety. Surround your home with nature, and you’ll find that — like the trees flourishing around you — the value of your property will rise as well.
Ahmed Alkhoshaibi is the group chief executive of property development company Arada, which is behind communities such as Aljada, Nasma Residences and Masaar
Scroll through the gallery below to check out Museum of the Future’s garden, which contains100 plant species from across the UAE:
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
RESULT
Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
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The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
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