Shade Trees
The classification, "shade trees" is rather self-explanatory. Shade trees are generally defined simply as being specimens grown specifically to shield a yard from the sun's rays, thus providing welcome cool in summer. Shade trees with spreading canopies will be most successful in blocking out the sunshine across wide areas.
Fast-Growing Shade Trees
This resource provides links to information on fast-growing shade trees. Selecting fast-growing shade trees enables you to receive quicker, albeit not immediate gratification.
This resource provides links to information on fast-growing shade trees. Selecting fast-growing shade trees enables you to receive quicker, albeit not immediate gratification.
American Elms: Queen of the Shade Trees
The streets of eastern North America once looked drastically different than they do now -- and not just because of technological advances and changes in tastes. American elms once lined Main Street USA, as the shade trees of choice. Then Dutch elm disease came and wiped out most American elms. But they're making a comeback, thanks to science.
The streets of eastern North America once looked drastically different than they do now -- and not just because of technological advances and changes in tastes. American elms once lined Main Street USA, as the shade trees of choice. Then Dutch elm disease came and wiped out most American elms. But they're making a comeback, thanks to science.
Shade Trees for Fall Foliage: Maples
If I were putting together a dictionary, the entry for "autumn" would have next to it a picture of a red maple or sugar maple. That's the degree to which the maples have become synonymous with spectacular fall foliage. But don't overlook their usefulness as shade trees!
If I were putting together a dictionary, the entry for "autumn" would have next to it a picture of a red maple or sugar maple. That's the degree to which the maples have become synonymous with spectacular fall foliage. But don't overlook their usefulness as shade trees!
The Mightiest of Shade Trees: Oaks
One of the concerns when shading your house with large shade trees is safety. Legendary for its sturdiness, the oak is one of the safest choices you can make. Oaks also provide some fall color, which, although not as spectacular as that of the maples, comes at the right time: namely, after the maples have already lost their leaves.
One of the concerns when shading your house with large shade trees is safety. Legendary for its sturdiness, the oak is one of the safest choices you can make. Oaks also provide some fall color, which, although not as spectacular as that of the maples, comes at the right time: namely, after the maples have already lost their leaves.
Unusual Shade Trees: White Ash
White ashes make for nice shade trees to cool summertime backyard retreats. Their fall foliage can turn an unusual purplish color (as the photos in this article demonstrate) -- quite a conversation piece!
White ashes make for nice shade trees to cool summertime backyard retreats. Their fall foliage can turn an unusual purplish color (as the photos in this article demonstrate) -- quite a conversation piece!
Shade Trees for Patios, Decks: Dogwood
We usually think of shade trees as large specimens. Indeed, to shelter a house from the sun's rays, you need something tall. But what if it's not the house that needs shading? Smaller specimens can be used for shading patios and decks. The key is to pick specimens that have spreading canopies, like dogwood. The dogwoods offer sensational blooming in spring and good fall foliage in autumn.
We usually think of shade trees as large specimens. Indeed, to shelter a house from the sun's rays, you need something tall. But what if it's not the house that needs shading? Smaller specimens can be used for shading patios and decks. The key is to pick specimens that have spreading canopies, like dogwood. The dogwoods offer sensational blooming in spring and good fall foliage in autumn.