Final answer:
To provide the greatest energy benefit, the homeowner should plant deciduous trees in front of the large glass windows facing south. Deciduous trees provide shade in the summer and allow sunlight to enter the home in the winter, reducing the need for air conditioning and providing natural heating.
Step-by-step explanation:
To provide the greatest energy benefit to a home in the United States with cold winters and hot summers, the homeowner should plant deciduous trees in front of the large glass windows facing south. Deciduous trees have leaves that provide shade in the summer, reducing the need for air conditioning, but shed their leaves in the winter, allowing sunlight to enter the home and provide natural heating.
The leaves of the deciduous trees create a natural barrier that blocks solar radiation during the summer, which helps to keep the home cool. In the winter, when the leaves have fallen, the windows are exposed to sunlight, allowing for passive solar heating. This can help to reduce heating costs and provide natural warmth to the house.
Examples of deciduous trees suitable for planting in front of south-facing windows include oak, maple, and birch trees.