Best Trees to Plant for Shade

shade tree

Planting shade trees on your landscaping has many amazing benefits. Underneath a large shade tree is the best location for a backyard barbeque or for kids to enjoy some much-needed time outside. It will also keep your home cooler when temperatures rise.

To get all of the benefits of shade trees, you need to plant the correct species of tree and care for them correctly.

OH Tree Trimming has recommendations for the best trees to plant for shade, and some expert advice on taking care of your shade trees so they grow strong and healthy.

Planting Trees for Shade

Any tree can technically provide shade, but there are some species that are built for maximum shade. These types of trees often have a thick, wider canopy that extends out nearly as far as it does upward.

In the following paragraphs, we’ve provided some examples of shade trees based 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 the homeowner’s benefit. Next-door neighbors and passersby usually won’t see these trees very much, so they can be purely for shade and enjoyment.

Besides just shade, these trees can create year-round color and some extra privacy.

Here are popular options:

  • Magnolia
  • Sugar maple or silver maple
  • Weeping willow
  • Weeping cherry
  • Red oak

If you have the space, a live oak is a fantastic choice. Live oaks are considered the fastest growing shade trees, and are able to get very big. An older live oak is able to grow up to 80 feet tall and as much as 100 feet wide.

Many of these back yard shade tree suggestions get pretty big, so you need to do your research to find out if the tree is going to have enough space to reach maturity.

If there is not enough room, the tree’s root system can damage your fencing or even your home foundation. You will also have to prune the tree every year to keep it manageable. A tree that is too big for its yard will most likely have to be cut down, which is an unfortunate and sometimes costly situation.

Front Yard Shade Trees

In the front yard, you are planting trees for your enjoyment as well, but these trees will be much more beneficial for adding value and curb appeal to your home since they can be seen.

Choose shade trees for the front yard that are a little smaller so they don’t overshadow your home and landscaping. These trees should complement your landscaping in both color and size, while still creating lots of shade for front yard relaxation and play.

These are some of the shade trees OH 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 good option for your front or side yard is the ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae. This hedge-like tree can be planted in a long row with others to create privacy and shade.

With options in mind, we encourage you to plant trees you like. In truth, any tree can grow to become a “shade tree.” As long as the trees you choose are suitable for the climate in Ohio, they will provide your home and landscaping with some shade.

Benefits of Planting Shade Trees

The benefits of having shade for your home are numerous — there are a few that you probably don’t typically think about.

Shade, Obviously – When temperatures get too hot, you don’t need to hide indoors if you have a comfortable, shady yard. Put a chair or hammock below your biggest shade tree and relax outside as long as you like.

Climate Control – Trees can regulate the temperature in your yard and inside your house. Not only do trees protect you from glaring sun, but they can make it feel 10-15 degrees colder below their protective 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 expel pollutants, so there is healthier air surrounding your house. Arbor Day Foundation research states 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 squirrels and chipmunks are cute, your trees can give them all they will need to build a shelter, find nearby food and raise babies.

Fun – What child doesn’t want a backyard tree house or tire swing? If you have small children, shade trees can provide hours of fun and joyful memories.

How to Care for Shade Trees

Maintaining shade trees is pretty simple as long as you’ve chosen the type of trees for the weather in Ohio. Trees are strong and durable after the first few years, needing little attention or care.

Consult an arborist from OH Tree Trimming if you have any questions about how to care for your trees, or to help you decide the perfect tree for your yard.

After you have decided on the perfect shade tree(s) for your yard, follow this easy care guide until your shade tree is fully grown.

Planting Your Shade Tree

The east, west and south sides of your property get the most sun, so plant your new trees on one of these sides of your yard. This is two-fold: 1) the trees will provide the most amount of shade and 2) they will also receive the maximum amount of sun to grow healthy.

Trimming Your Shade Tree

Trim during the first year or two after planting the tree in order to shape it and help it form a strong structure. To be safe, and for the best results, call OH Tree Trimming for tree trimming in Ohio. 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 form a deep and strong root system and will give the tree stability in the long run.

Fertilizing Your Shade Tree

Homeowners should fertilize a shade tree just like you would any other tree in order to aid growth. Fertilizer is not a requirement for caring for a shade tree, but it can assist in helping your tree to grow faster and produce more leaves, which are the primary source of your shade.

We hope this information was helpful! Remember, when it comes time to prune or trim a new shade tree, OH Tree Trimming can help! Call us and a certified arborist in Ohio will visit your home, examine the tree and lay out the best maintenance plan for its long-term health and growth.

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