This weekend I sat at my farm under the shade of my Red Maple tree and thought about all the great times we have had under the shade of this tree. And to think over the years when I was growing up, I chopped this tree down many times, and it always came back. Now I am glad to have it shading my house and friends on hot, sunny summer days.
As the summer heat wears on, you may start to notice areas of your yard that could use some shade – an area where the children play or where you tend to gather with friends and family. Trees are a great, inexpensive way to provide natural shade and color to your yard. Try one of these great trees if you are looking to create a little shade in your yard.
Red Maple – ‘Red Sunset’ or ‘October Glory’
The Red Maple tree is a deciduous tree that will often grow to between 40 and 60 feet tall. The leaves are shiny green and turn a beautiful deep red color in the fall (as the name would suggest).
Sugar Maple – ‘Legacy’
The Sugar Maple is a deciduous tree reaching heights of 80 to 115 feet tall. The Sugar Maple produces spectacular fall color – ranging from bright yellow through orange to beautiful red-orange.
Ash – ‘Summit’
The ‘Summit’ Ash is an upright tree reaching 45 feet in height by 25 feet in width. It produces glossy, dark green leaves and the foliage turns a striking shade of yellow in fall.
Golden Raintree
The Golden Raintree is a smaller deciduous tree reaching only 30 feet tall. The tree produces yellow flowers and green seed pods in the summer, then leaves turn a beautiful yellow in the fall.
Willow Oak
Is a medium-sized deciduous tree growing from 60 to 80 feet tall. This tree has long willow-like leaves that are green in the summer and turn yellow-orange in the fall. This tree produces acorns and is a great food producer for wildlife.
Pin Oak
This is another medium-sized oak that grows from 60 to 70 feet tall. The pin Oak also produces acorns and turns a beautiful orange-red in the fall.
Zelkova Serrata – ’Green Vase’
This is a medium sized deciduous tree usually growing to 60 feet tall. This tree has a short trunk dividing into many upright, spreading stems that form a broad, round topped head. The tree grows rapidly when it is young and slows as it matures. This is a great climbing tree.
If you need large shade trees for open spaces take a look at one of these: London Plane Tree or Sycamore, White Oak, or Tulip Poplar.
