Shade tree

A shade tree is a large tree whose primary role is to provide shade in the surrounding environment due to its spreading canopy and crown, where it may give shelter from sunlight in the heat of the summer for people who seek recreational needs in urban parks and house yards, and thus, also protecting them from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.

Some of the most popular shade trees in temperate countries are oaks, plane trees, willows, birches, beeches, maples, ashes, lindens, and elms. In subtropical countries like Australia and India, figs are popular choices as shade trees. In tropical countries, trees such as some Erythrina and African tulip tree species are often planted as shade trees.

Specialities

These trees are commonly grown, and/or used, as shade trees due to their protuberant size:

American elm

American sycamore

Austrian oak

Brush box

Banyan tree

Black walnut

Blue jacaranda

Camphor laurel

Cape chestnut

Carob tree

Chinese elm

Coast coral tree

European beech

Honey locust

Golden ash

Golden rain tree

Holm oak

Hopea odorata

Hill's weeping fig

Indian horse-chestnut

Japanese elm

London plane

Moreton Bay fig

Norway maple

Oriental plane

Palestine oak

Pepper tree

Port Jackson fig

Red maple

Royal poinciana

Rough-barked apple

Scarlet oak

Scholar tree

Silver linden

Shumard oak

Small-leaved fig

Southern live oak

Swamp Spanish oak

Sweet gum

Sycamore fig

Sycamore maple

Sydney red gum

Tulipwood

White feather honeymyrtle

Yellow box

Planting

There are a few factors to consider when choosing a shade tree: deciduousness, coverage, longevity, and the ability of the roots to damage foundations. Shade trees can enhance the privacy of a garden, patio, or back yard, by obstructing the view of outsiders. A disadvantage is that in cool climates, an abundance of shade trees may lead to a dank environment in any nearby buildings or gardens. Shade trees must not be planted near chimneys as flying fire sparks can ignite tree branches which could cause rapidly expanding fires.

Planting shade trees around a home can also reduce the energy that homeowners use in the summer months. Planting shade trees in locations near a home air conditioner can keep the air conditioner cooler which helps it run more efficiently, so less energy is used.