Create Your Own Shady Oasis

Deciduous trees are beneficial for many reasons. They improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gasses, reduce noise pollution, and they can even help to reduce stress. They provide shelter for the local wildlife, can increase property value and, if positioned right, they can even help provide privacy from nosey neighbours or block an unsightly view. However, the top reason most people want to plant a deciduous tree is for the shade it can provide during hot summer months, turning their sun scorched yard into a shady oasis. Each year, we get a number of customers looking for the best shade trees for our Alberta yards and here are our top three.

1. The Brandon Elm

Ulmus americana ‘Brandon’

Our top choice because it just grows so fast! Out of all of our shade trees, this guy has the fastest growth rate making it ideal for enjoying a shady yard sooner rather than later. In addition to its fast growth rate, the Brandon Elm is a suitable size for most yards with a vase shape growth pattern and high canopy of gorgeous arching branches. It is considered to be drought tolerant once established and highly tolerant of urban pollution.

Growth Rate : Fast
Mature Height :  50ft
Mature Width : 35ft
Fall Colour : Yellow
Maintenance : Low

2. The Autumn Blaze Maple

Acer x freemanii ‘Jeffersred’

The Autumn Blaze is a comparable second after the Brandon Elm. Similar in growth rate and only marginally smaller in size, it also has a typically high canopy making it another strong choice for a shade tree. However, it is the stunning red fall colour that makes this tree one of our top sellers.  It is also considered to be drought tolerant once established and highly tolerant of urban pollution.

Growth Rate : Fast
Mature Height :  40ft
Mature Width : 28ft
Fall Colour : Red
Maintenance : Low

3. The Greenspire Linden

Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’

The Greenspire Linden is another great shade tree. With its dense pyramidal form and medium canopy, this tidy tree would go great next to a pool or deck. Fragrant yellow flowers adorn it’s dense dense dark green foliage in the summer before the leaves turns a brilliant yellow in the fall. It is considered to be adaptable to both dry and moist soil conditions and highly tolerant of urban pollution.

Growth Rate : Slow
Mature Height :  50ft
Mature Width : 35ft
Fall Colour : Yellow
Maintenance : Low