Planting shade trees in your yard has many wonderful benefits. Underneath a big shade tree is the perfect place for a backyard barbeque or for kids to play outdoors. A shade tree 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 properly.
DE Tree Trimming has recommendations for the best trees to plant for shade, and some expert advice on caring for your shade trees so they continue to grow healthy and strong.
Planting Trees for Shade
All trees can provide shade, but there are some types of trees that are built for optimal shade. These trees often have a thick, wider canopy that reaches out about as far as it does upward.
Below, we’ve provided examples of shade trees depending on whether they would be best planted in your front or back yard.
Back Yard Shade Trees
Shade trees in the back yard are primarily for your own benefit. Next-door neighbors and passersby usually won’t be able to see these trees very much, so they can be purely for your enjoyment.
In addition to shade, these trees can provide year-round color and some extra privacy.
Here are a few popular options:
- Magnolia
- Sugar maple or silver maple
- Weeping willow
- Weeping cherry
- Red oak
If you have enough space, a live oak is another fantastic choice. Live oaks are considered the fastest growing shade trees, and are able to get very large. An older live oak is able to reach up to 80 feet tall and as much as 100 feet wide.
Many of these back yard shade tree suggestions get very large, so you need to do a little research to find out if the tree will have enough space to grow to its full potential.
If there is not enough room, its root system can destroy your fencing or home. You will also have to prune the tree every year to keep it manageable. A tree that grows too large for its location will most likely have to be cut down, which is an unfortunate and sometimes costly situation.
Front Yard Shade Trees
In the front yard of your home, you are planting trees for your enjoyment as well, but they will be a lot more beneficial for increasing value and curb appeal to your home since they can be seen.
Purchase 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 creating plenty of shade for front yard play and relaxation.
These are some of the shade trees DE Tree Trimming recommends:
Red maple
River birch
Dogwood
White oak
Ginkgo tree
These trees are colorful throughout the year, and they’ll showcase even more color in the fall months.
Another excellent choice for your front or side yard is the ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae. This hedge-like tree can be planted in a long row to provide privacy and shade.
With options in mind, we encourage you to plant what you like. In reality, any type of tree can grow to become a “shade tree.” As long as the trees you choose are suitable for the climate in Delaware, they will provide your yard and home with shade.
Benefits of Planting Shade Trees
The reasons to have shade on your property are numerous — there are some that you probably don’t typically think about.
Shade, Obviously – When temperatures get very warm, you won’t need to run indoors if you have a comfortable, shady yard. Put a chair or hammock below your best 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 hot sun, but they can also make it feel 10-15 degrees colder below their protective canopies. This translates to less solar radiation on your home as well, which might result in lower energy costs!
Better Air Quality – Trees produce oxygen and remove pollutants from the air, so there is cleaner air around your house. Arbor Day Foundation research reports that one mature tree absorbs around 48 pounds of CO2 from the air.
Safety for Animals – If you’re into bird watching or think chipmunks are cute, your shade trees can provide them all they need to build a habitat, find food and raise babies.
Fun – What kid doesn’t love a backyard tree house or tire swing? If you have children, shade trees will offer hours of fun and countless memories.
How to Care for Shade Trees
Maintaining shade trees is pretty simple as long as you’ve planted the right species for the weather in Delaware. Healthy trees are strong and hardy after a couple of years, demanding little attention or care.
Consult an arborist from DE Tree Trimming if you have any questions about how to care for your shade trees, or to help you select the perfect tree for your yard.
Once you have decided on the perfect shade tree(s), follow this simple care guide until your shade tree is well established.
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 areas of your yard. This is two-fold: 1) the trees will then provide the ideal amount of shade and 2) they will also receive the maximum amount of sun for healthy growth.
Pruning Your Shade Tree
Prune during the first year or two after you first plant the tree in order to shape it and help it form a strong structure. To be safe, and for the best results, call DE Tree Trimming for tree trimming in Delaware. 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 will help them form a deep and strong root system and will give the tree stability over the course of its lifetime.
Fertilizing Your Shade Tree
Fertilize a shade tree just like you would any other type of tree in order to promote growth. Fertilizer is not necessary, 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 blog post was helpful! Remember, when it is time to prune or trim a new shade tree, DE Tree Trimming can help! Call us and a certified arborist in Delaware will visit your property, examine the tree and determine the proper maintenance plan for its long-term growth and health.
