Where To Plant Shade Trees
When positioned correctly, shade trees do precisely what their name states, which is to provide shade for people and buildings when the heat of the Summer Sun is at its greatest. Most deciduous trees, like Sugar Maple trees, are chosen as shade trees to obtain extra Winter Sun when the tree leaves have been shed. When choosing a tree to buy that will provide shade, the positioning of the tree becomes essential because when a tree grows adjacent to a building, it can provide shade that lowers the temperature in the building. Shading the property from Summer sunshine reduces the cooling costs for Summer months, and the extra Winter sunshine can reduce heating costs during cold months.
The best trees for providing shade are commonly those that grow between one and two feet per year, making a young tree capable of providing shade within five to six years. Researchers generally claim trees that grow faster than two feet per year struggle to grow with healthy bark and require a large amount of water and nutrients from the soil. Positioning maple and deciduous trees not too close to other trees or plants can ensure the healthy growth of all the plants in a yard with little competition for nutrients between trees and plants.
When placing a tree for shade, specific considerations need to be undertaken, such as the position in the yard and utility wires that may come into contact with the tree. Overhead utility wires are usually placed 20 feet above the ground, meaning pin oak trees that grow up to 70 feet should not be positioned below utility wires. Most trees planted for shade, such as Sugar Maple trees, grow roots that spread underground up to three times as large as the canopy, with the root system considered when planting the tree.
Buying Shade Trees
Purchasing and planting these trees can provide benefits not only for the homeowner but for the environment as well. Wildlife often live and breed in trees, and the falling leaves provide a large amount of material for a compost pile; trees are also crucial as they can improve air quality in an area by taking in carbon monoxide and turning it into oxygen.