Growing shade trees on your landscaping has many wonderful benefits. Underneath a full-grown shade tree is the best location for a backyard barbeque or for children to play outdoors. It will also keep your home cooler when temperatures rise.
To get all of the benefits of shade trees, you need to plant the right species and care for them properly.
NV 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 continue to grow healthy and strong.
Planting Trees for Shade
Any tree can technically provide shade, but there are some species that are built for optimal shade. These trees usually have a thick, wider canopy that reaches out nearly as far as it does upward.
In the following paragraphs, we’ve provided some 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 primarily for the homeowner’s benefit. Next-door neighbors and passersby probably won’t see these trees , so they can be planted purely for shade and enjoyment.
Besides just shade, these trees can create year-round color as well as some additional privacy from neighbors.
Here are a few 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 large. A mature live oak is able to reach up to 80 feet tall and as much as 100 feet wide.
Most of these back yard shade tree recommendations get very big, so you need to do some research to determine if the tree is going to have enough space to reach maturity.
If there is not enough room, the tree’s root system can destroy your fencing or even your home. You will also have to prune the tree every year to keep it from being overgrown. A tree that is too large for its yard will probably have to be cut down, which is an unfortunate and sometimes expensive situation.
Front Yard Shade Trees
In the front yard, you are planting trees for your enjoyment as well, but they will be a lot more beneficial for increasing curb appeal and value to your home than the back yard trees.
Buy shade trees for the front yard that are somewhat smaller so they don’t overpower your home and landscaping. These trees should complement your landscaping in color and size, while still providing plenty of shade for front yard play and relaxation.
These are some of the shade trees NV Tree Trimming recommends:
Red maple
River birch
Dogwood
White oak
Ginkgo tree
These trees are beautiful throughout the year, and they’ll showcase even more color during the fall.
Another good option for your front or side yard is the ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae. This hedge-like tree can be planted in a row to create privacy and shade.
With this advice in mind, we recommend that you plant what you like. In truth, any type of tree can be a “shade tree.” Assuming the trees you choose are suitable for the climate in Nevada, 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 some that you likely wouldn’t automatically think about.
Shade, Obviously – When temperatures get too hot, you don’t need to run indoors if you have a comfortable, shady yard. Put a chair or hammock below your biggest shade tree and enjoy time outside as long as you like.
Climate Control – Trees can help regulate the temperature in your yard and inside your home. Not only will trees protect you from the hot sun, but they can make it feel 10-15 degrees cooler 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 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.
Shelter 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 home, find nearby food and raise babies.
Fun – What kid doesn’t love a backyard tree fort or tire swing? If you have small children, shade trees can offer hours of fun and joyful memories.
How to Care for Shade Trees
Maintaining shade trees is easy as long as you’ve planted the type of trees for the weather in Nevada. Healthy trees are strong and hardy after the first few years, requiring little attention or maintenance.
Consult a certified arborist from NV Tree Trimming if you have any questions about the care of your shade trees, or to help you select the perfect tree for your property.
Once you have determined the perfect shade tree(s), follow this care guide until your shade tree is well established.
Planting Your Shade Tree
The south, west and east of your yard get the most sun, so plant your new trees on one of these areas of your yard. This is two-fold: 1) the trees will create the ideal amount of shade and 2) they will also receive the most amount of sun for healthy growth.
Trimming Your Shade Tree
Trim during the first year or two after you first plant the tree in order to shape it and help it develop a strong foundation. To be safe, and for the best results, call NV Tree Trimming for tree trimming in Nevada. A certified arborist will arrive at your home and deliver professional care for the tree.
Watering Your Shade Tree
Watering a new tree is very important. This will help them develop a deep and strong root system and will give the tree more stability over the course of its lifetime.
Fertilizing Your Shade Tree
Homeowners should fertilize a shade tree just like you would any other tree in order to aid healthy growth. Fertilizer is not a requirement, but it can help your tree to grow faster and blossom more leaves, which are the primary source of your shade.
We hope this information was helpful! Remember, when it comes time to trim or prune a new shade tree, NV Tree Trimming can help! Call and a certified arborist in Nevada will visit your property, examine the tree and formulate the proper maintenance plan for its long-term health and growth.
