By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - One of the simplest things you can do to increase your property value while reducing flooding, pollution, and your electric bill (by cutting cooling costs) is to plant shade trees.

To make it easier, the Abington Township Shade Tree Commission is having a Native Plant Sale & Open House this Saturday, October 13th, from 9 am to 2 pm at Grove Park Education Center, 1383 N. Easton Road, Roslyn, PA 19001, just north of Woodland Avenue.

Native trees (like our native Dogwood, Cornus florida in the picture) and shrubs are easiest of all to grow, because they’re already used to our soil and weather so they’re much less fussy to care for, and they welcome more birds – and butterflies – to your yard to enjoy the flowers and feast on seeds, berries – and bugs.

Free talks on the half hour, starting at 9:30, will help you pick the best plants for your yard and learn how to plant them – with arborists and experts on hand to answer questions.

No reservations needed – just show up, listen, and learn a bit, then go on with your weekend, which might well include planting one of the wonderful trees, shrubs or perennials you can buy that day for a song.

For details about the Abington Shade Tree Open House this Saturday, check out Facebook.com/AbingtonTrees.