Planting shade trees on your landscaping has many amazing benefits. Underneath a big shade tree is the perfect place for a backyard BBQ or for children to play outdoors. It will also keep your home cooler during warmer months of the year.
To get the full benefit of shade trees, you need to plant the correct species of tree and care for them correctly.
ND 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 continue to grow strong and healthy.
Planting Trees for Shade
Any tree can technically provide shade, but there are some species that are built for the best shade. These trees typically have a thick, wider canopy that extends out about as far as it does upward.
Below, we’ve provided some 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 see these trees very much, so they can be purely for your enjoyment.
In addition to shade, these trees can create year-round color and some extra privacy from neighbors.
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 another beautiful choice. Live oaks are said to be the fastest growing shade trees, and are able to get very big. A mature live oak can reach up to 80 feet tall and up to 100 feet wide.
Most of these back yard tree recommendations get pretty large, so you definitely want to do a little research to determine if the tree is going to have enough space to reach maturity.
If there is not enough space, 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 area will probably have to be cut down, which is an inconvenient and sometimes expensive 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 much more beneficial for increasing value and curb appeal to your home than the back yard trees.
Choose shade trees for the front yard that are somewhat smaller so they don’t overpower your home and landscaping. These trees should pair with your landscaping in both size and color, while still creating plenty of shade for front yard play and relaxation.
These are some of the shade trees ND Tree Trimming recommends:
Red maple
River birch
Dogwood
White oak
Ginkgo tree
These types of 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 tree looks like a hedge and can be planted in a long row with others to provide privacy and shade.
With options in mind, we recommend that you plant trees you like. In reality, any type of tree can grow to become a “shade tree.” so long as the trees you choose are suitable for the climate in North Dakota, they will provide your yard and home with shade.
Benefits of Planting Shade Trees
The benefits of having shade for your home are numerous — and there are some that you maybe don’t automatically think about.
Shade, Obviously – When temperatures soar, you don’t need to hide indoors if you have a nice, shady yard. Set up a chair or hammock under your biggest shade tree and relax outside as long as you like.
Climate Control – Trees can help control the temperature in your yard and inside your home. Not only will trees protect you from hot sun, but they can make it feel 10-15 degrees cooler underneath their protective canopies. This means less solar radiation on your roof and siding as well, which might result in lowering your energy costs!
Better Air Quality – Trees produce oxygen and remove pollutants from the air, so there is cleaner air surrounding your house. Arbor Day Foundation research reports that one mature tree absorbs around 48 pounds of CO2 from the air.
Shelter 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 shelter, find nearby food and raise babies.
Fun – What child doesn’t love a backyard tire swing or tree house? If you have children, shade trees will provide hours of fun and countless memories.
How to Care for Shade Trees
Caring for shade trees is simple as long as you’ve chosen the type of trees for the climate in North Dakota. Trees are strong and hardy after a couple of years, requiring little attention or care.
Consult a local arborist from ND Tree Trimming if you have questions about how to care for your trees, or even to help you select the perfect tree for your property.
Once you have chosen the best shade tree(s) for your yard, follow this simple care guide until your shade tree is fully grown.
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 sides 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 to grow healthy.
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 form a strong structure. To be safe, and for the best results, call ND Tree Trimming for tree trimming in North Dakota. 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 helps them develop a deep root system and will give the tree stability in the long run.
Fertilizing Your Shade Tree
Fertilize a shade tree just like you would any other type of tree in order to support growth. Fertilizer is not necessary, but it can help 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 is time to trim or prune a new shade tree, ND Tree Trimming can help! Call and a certified arborist in North Dakota will visit your property, examine the tree and formulate the best maintenance plan for its long-term growth and health.
