One of my biggest pet peeves with some home building practices is the careless waste of plants and soil that can happen. Trees can be needlessly cut down and topsoil sometimes removed by the ton. When new homeowners move in, they may suddenly find themselves with shadeless exterior spaces and little useful soil to plant in. What a disaster!

Luckily, many architects, builders and designers are respectful of the Earth and use all the benefits of an existing site including existing trees and other plants. Here are some beautiful examples of homes where trees were allowed to remain nearby, offering a beautiful natural environment for the homeowners.

Find a landscape designer Robert Young Architects This tree is almost a piece of sculpture in the way it frames this cleanly-designed home. The home's boxiness plays off the wavy nature of the branches, and the entryway gets a nice arched botanical ceiling. Ana Williamson Architect Wouldn't it be a shame if the gorgeous, massive trees had been cut down before this house was built? The height of the tree canopy is a beautiful contrast to the low, linear design of the home and offer a wonderful, shady spot for an outdoor room. OTTE Architecture Here is a beautiful home where many trees stand in close proximity to the back of the house. The sunroom still receives plenty of light, but the trees offer a sense of protection, a practical windbreak and give the home a feeling of being nestled in. Masterson Studio It's likely some trees were removed for the building of this house, but thankfully, the chainsaw stopped when it came to that beautiful row of pine trees situated behind the home. They offer a perfect frame — a sweet little pocket of space for the home to nestle into. The deep green of the trees contrasts with the lighter tones of the home, grounding the space. The row of mature trees also provides a welcome wind break for the home at this high altitude. Grainda Builders, Inc. Trees frame the entry to this home, providing an allée to the back door that will only get better as the trees and plants fill in. Dick Clark + Associates Imagine how stark this facade would look without this beautiful tree? Building a deck to surround an existing tree is a classic strategy to create liveable space without sacrificing shade and beauty. Cary Bernstein Architect Building a deck right up to the very edge of a treeline is another way to seamlessly integrate nature into your design. These plantings create a visual and physical boundary at the edge of this decking — a perfect solution! Robert Young Architects Whether you have a modern home, a traditional Colonial or a rustic cabin in the woods, trees are always welcome. A few well- placed trees give a home a sense of place, a connection to the environment and welcome shade and wind protection. If you are building your own home, make sure you check out the existing trees before you dig, and tell your architect to protect the trees!