Having shade trees on your landscaping has many wonderful benefits. Underneath a large shade tree is the best place for a backyard BBQ or for kids to enjoy some much-needed time outside. 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 right species and care for them properly.
WY Tree Trimming has recommendations for the best trees to plant for shade, and some expert advice on maintaining your shade trees so they continue to grow healthy and strong.
Planting Trees for Shade
All trees can provide shade, but there are some species that are built for optimal shade. These types of trees typically have a thick, wide canopy that reaches out about as far as it does upward.
In the following paragraphs, we’ve provided 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 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 provide year-round color and some additional privacy.
Here are popular choices:
- 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 said to be the fastest growing shade trees, and are able to get very big. A mature live oak is able to grow up to 80 feet tall and as much as 100 feet wide.
Most of these back yard tree recommendations get pretty big, so you definitely want to do your research to determine if the tree is going to have enough space to reach maturity.
If there is not enough space, 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 manageable. A tree that is too big for its yard will probably 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 these trees will be a lot more impactful for increasing 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 overpower your home. These trees should pair with your landscaping in both color and size, while still offering plenty of shade for front yard play and relaxation.
These are some of the shade trees WY 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 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 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 tree can be a “shade tree.” As long as the trees you choose are suitable for the climate in Wyoming, they will provide your yard and home with some shade.
Benefits of Planting Shade Trees
The reasons to have shade n your yard are numerous — there are a few that you likely wouldn’t typically 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 relax outside as long as you want.
Climate Control – Trees can help regulate the temperature in your yard and inside your home. Not only will trees protect you from the glaring sun, but they can also make it feel 10-15 degrees colder below their canopies. This leads to less solar radiation on your home as well, which might result in lower energy costs!
Better Air Quality – Trees produce oxygen and expel pollutants from the air, so there is cleaner air surrounding your home. Arbor Day Foundation research states that one mature tree absorbs around 48 pounds of CO2 out of the air.
Shelter for Animals – If you enjoy bird watching or think squirrels and chipmunks are cute, your shade trees can give them all they will need to build a home, find food and raise babies.
Fun – What child doesn’t want a backyard tree house or tire swing? If you have children, shade trees can provide hours of fun and countless memories.
How to Care for Shade Trees
Maintaining shade trees is easy as long as you’ve chosen the right species for the weather in Wyoming. Healthy trees are strong and hardy after the first few years, needing little attention or care.
Consult a certified arborist from WY Tree Trimming if you have questions about how to care for your trees, or even to help you decide the perfect tree for your property.
After you have decided on the perfect shade tree(s), follow this easy care guide until your shade tree is fully grown.
Planting Your Shade Tree
The south, west and east of your property always 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 most amount of shade and 2) they will also receive the most amount of sun for healthy growth.
Trimming Your Shade Tree
Prune during the first year or two after you first plant the tree to help to shape it and help it develop a strong foundation. To be safe, and for the best results, call WY Tree Trimming for tree trimming in Wyoming. 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 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 type of tree in order to support healthy 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 trim or prune a new shade tree, WY Tree Trimming can help! Call us and a certified arborist in Wyoming will visit your home, examine the tree and decide the proper care plan for its long-term health and growth.
