The best shade trees to grow in your garden

As spring slides into summer and the sun starts to sizzle, your outdoor areas need protection, which is why shade trees play such an important role in a garden. The flickering shadows cast by an overhead canopy create a lovely scene – and make your garden a more comfortable environment to be in. On a summer day, the air temperature beneath trees can be many degrees cooler than the open air, while the cooling effect of tree shade on hot surfaces like paving and tiles is even greater – as much as 20 degrees Celsius lower, some studies have shown*. Trees come in a variety of sizes and shapes and there’s one to suit every garden. The trick is to do your research, and select the right tree for the right spot. You – and your pets – will be enjoying a shady spot in no time! Read on to discover:

• How to choose the right variety of shade tree for your garden.
• The best locations to plant and grow shade trees.
• Growing and planting tips to keep your trees strong and healthy.

How to choose the best shade trees for your garden

Two of the most important considerations when choosing a shade tree are its mature height and the shape of its canopy, according to horticulturist Tammy Huynh. “If you want a tree to cast shade over an outdoor living area, you need to choose a variety with an umbrella-shaped head and open branch structure,” she says. “Read plant labels carefully when you’re selecting trees, and always be aware of their mature height before you plant them in your garden.”

Here are some great shade trees to consider:

• Lilly pilly or lemon myrtle: While evergreen tree varieties such as lilly pilly or lemon myrtle are popular choices for screening and privacy, they’re not going to create a shady canopy over an outdoor living zone.
• Chinese elm or honey locust (gleditsia): If you need something with an arching crown, Chinese elm or honey locust (gleditsia) cast a wider shadow.
• Australian natives: Consider leaf density too; species with dense foliage will give you deep summer shade, whereas some Australian natives, notably eucalypts, have sparse leaf cover, so provide only a light dappled shade.
• Flowering trees: Crepe myrtle, cape chestnut, flowering cherry, crabapple, flowering gum.
• Deciduous trees: Japanese maple, tulip tree, forest pansy, ginko/maidenhair tree, ornamental pear.
• Evergreen trees: Olive, Moreton Bay chestnut, willow peppermint, tukeroo, weeping lilly pilly.

It’s important to decide if you want a deciduous or evergreen tree. “In cool and temperate climates, deciduous trees have lots of benefits,” explains Tammy. “They provide dense shade for summer but let the winter sun stream through – and that can really extend the use of your outdoor living zone.” In warmer climates, on the other hand, where even winter sunshine can be intense, evergreen shade trees offer a garden year-round sun protection.

Where to plant shade trees

Shade trees are all about creating protection from the sun, so they work best in those parts of the garden where you spend the most time in summer. A shade tree planted in a lawn, for instance, can create a lovely spot for kids’ play or relaxation – just remember to partner it with a grass variety that is shade-tolerant.

Another popular spot for shade trees is adjacent to outdoor living areas, to create a sun-protected spot where you can dine or entertain during the warm months of the year. It’s a bit like having a giant, natural umbrella. Just be sure to avoid planting near underground pipes and foundations. Gardens that are exposed to hot westerly afternoon sun in summer will also benefit from shade trees, to form long shadows and protect the rear of the house. Consider planting a row of the same species along a western boundary, either evergreen or deciduous.

Growing tips for shade trees

• Fertilise young trees twice a year, in spring and autumn, to keep them strong and healthy.
• In windy areas, tie young trees to two or three support stakes. Insert them just outside of the rootball zone, so you don’t damage the roots, and loosely tie tree to stakes with an appropriate material.
• Take care when using mowers and brushcutters around newly planted trees, to avoid any damage to the trunk. As an extra precaution, consider using a guard around the base of the tree.
• Strong, well-watered and mulched trees will be more resilient to insect pests. Plant in suitable spots with plenty of sun and nutrients for best health, and deep water occasionally rather than light watering every day.

Planting tips for shade trees

• Spring and autumn are the best seasons for putting in new trees. Spring plantings will take off faster but remember to water them regularly during summer while their roots are establishing.
• After bringing potted trees home from the nursery, water them immediately and repeat this daily until you’re ready to plant them out.
• Dig planting holes a little deeper than the tree’s root ball and twice as wide. Mix the excavated soil with cow manure, and use this mix to backfill around the root ball.
• To help conserve soil moisture, spread a 5–6cm layer of mulch over the soil surface after planting, keeping it away from the trunk.

Keep in mind…

• Wear gloves and a mask when handling mulch, compost and potting mix.
• Take care when selecting your plants as some can be poisonous to children and pets, and check their suitability for your region, as some may be classified as weeds in certain states and territories.

Looking for more ideas to stay cool this summer?

Discover these shady solutions for your backyard.

 

Photo credit: Louise Roche, Adobe Stock, Alamy Stock Photo, Getty Images.