Growing shade trees in your yard has many amazing benefits. Underneath a full-grown shade tree is the perfect place for a backyard BBQ or for children to play outdoors. A shade tree will also keep your home cooler during warmer months of the year.
To get all of the benefits of shade trees, you need to plant the correct species and care for them correctly.
TX Tree Trimming has recommendations for the best trees to plant for shade, as well as some expert advice on taking care of your shade trees so they grow healthy and strong.
Planting Trees for Shade
Any tree can technically provide shade, but there are some types of trees that are built for maximum shade. These trees often have a thick, wide canopy that reaches out nearly as far as it does upward.
In the following paragraphs, we’ve provided examples of shade trees depending on whether they would be best planted in your back or front yard.
Back Yard Shade Trees
Shade trees in the back yard are typically for your own benefit. Next-door neighbors and passersby probably won’t see these trees very much, so they can be purely for your enjoyment.
Besides just shade, these trees can create year-round color as well as some extra privacy.
Here are a few popular choices:
- Magnolia
- Sugar maple or silver maple
- Weeping willow
- Weeping cherry
- Red oak
If you have the space, a live oak is another great choice. Live oaks are considered the fastest growing shade trees, and they can get very big. A mature live oak can grow up to 80 feet tall and as much as 100 feet wide.
Many of these back yard shade tree suggestions get extremely large, so you definitely want to do your research to find out if the tree is going to have enough space to reach maturity.
If there is not enough space, its root system can destroy your fencing or even your home foundation. You will also need to prune the tree every year to keep it from being overgrown. A tree that grows too large for its yard will probably have to be cut down, which is an inconvenient and sometimes costly situation.
Front Yard Shade Trees
In the front yard, you are planting trees for your enjoyment as well, but they will be much more beneficial for increasing value and curb appeal to your home than the back yard trees.
Buy shade trees for the front yard that are somewhat smaller so they don’t overshadow your home and landscaping. These trees should pair with your landscaping in both size and color, while still creating plenty of shade for front yard relaxation and play.
These are some of the shade trees TX Tree Trimming recommends:
Red maple
River birch
Dogwood
White oak
Ginkgo tree
These trees are colorful throughout the year, and they’ll exude even more color in the fall months.
Another excellent option for your front or side yard is the ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae. This hedge-like tree can be planted in a long row to create privacy as well as shade.
With these suggestions in mind, we recommend that you plant what you like. In all honesty, any type of tree can grow to become a “shade tree.” Assuming the trees you choose are suitable for the climate in Texas, they will provide your yard and home with some shade.
Benefits of Planting Shade Trees
The benefits of having shade for your home are numerous — and there are a few that you maybe don’t automatically think about.
Shade, Obviously – When temperatures get too hot, you won’t have to hide indoors if you have a nice, shady yard. Place a chair or hammock below your biggest shade tree and relax outside as long as you want.
Climate Control – Trees can help regulate the temperature in your yard and inside your home. Not only do trees protect you from the glaring sun, but they can also make it feel 10-15 degrees colder under their canopies. This results in less solar radiation on your roof and siding as well, which should also result in more affordable energy costs!
Better Air Quality – Trees produce oxygen and remove pollutants, so there is healthier air surrounding your home. Arbor Day Foundation research reports that one mature tree absorbs around 48 pounds of CO2 out of the air.
Safety for Animals – If you’re into bird watching or think chipmunks are adorable, your shade trees can give them all they will need to build a habitat, find food and raise babies.
Fun – What kid doesn’t want a backyard tire swing or tree house? If you have small children, shade trees will provide hours of fun and countless memories.
How to Care for Shade Trees
Maintaining shade trees is very simple as long as you’ve planted the right species for the climate in Texas. Trees are strong and hardy after a couple of years, demanding little attention or care.
Consult a certified arborist from TX Tree Trimming if you have questions about the care of your shade trees, or even to help you determine the best tree for your yard.
Once you have chosen the best shade tree(s) for your yard, follow this simple care guide until your shade tree is well established.
Planting Your Shade Tree
The south, west and east of your property get the most sun, so plant your trees on one of these areas of your yard. This is two-fold: 1) the trees will create the most amount of shade and 2) they will also receive the maximum amount of sun for healthy growth.
Trimming Your Shade Tree
Prune during the first year or two after planting the tree to help to shape it and help it form a strong structure. To be safe, and for the best results, call TX Tree Trimming for tree trimming in Texas. A certified arborist will arrive at your home and deliver professional care for the tree.
Watering Your Shade Tree
Watering a new tree is crucial. This helps them develop a deep and strong root system and will give the tree more stability in the long run.
Fertilizing Your Shade Tree
Homeowners should fertilize a shade tree the same way you would any other type of tree in order to aid healthy growth. Fertilizer is not necessary, but it can assist in helping your tree to grow faster and produce more leaves, which are the source of your shade.
We hope this information was helpful! Remember, when it is time to prune or trim a new shade tree, TX Tree Trimming can help! Call us and a certified arborist in Texas will visit your home, examine the tree and lay out the best maintenance plan for its long-term growth and health.
