You have a piece of land and you want to plant some trees so that when they grow they will give you shade, freshness and the desire to enjoy reading a good book or watching the children play. I suggest some Shade Trees, they grow in warm and temperate climates and will even give you aromas and fruits. I invite you to continue reading and get to know them.
Shade Trees
When deciding which tree to plant on a piece of land, in addition to the characteristics of the land, the climate of the place must be taken into account, in order to select the tree to be cultivated well and avoid future problems of wilting and subsequent death of the tree because it was not adapted. environmental heat, strong winds and low temperatures.
Just as the conditions of the environment are important, so are the characteristics of the trees, that is, their height, depth of their roots, type of crown, size of branches and leaves. And added to this, its adaptation to cold climates and hot climates, because this influences the species to be selected.
Some species of trees that grow in places with temperate climates and places with hot climates are suggested below, and even some fruit trees that can provide you with shade and, because their roots are deep, they are conducive to gardens because they do not damage infrastructure. It is always suggested that trees be planted away from buildings, pipes, and keep a distance from other trees for the proper development of their crowns.
Shade trees for hot climates
Below are trees that provide shade and you can plant in gardens, parks, avenues of places in tropical and subtropical regions up to the Mediterranean, which have adapted very well to climatic and soil factors, and are also easy to acquire.
Flamboyant (Delonix direction)
The flamboyant tree ( Delonix regia ) is native to the deciduous forests of Madagascar. However, it has naturalized and been cultivated in different parts of the world, adapting to warm climates, from tropical environments to the Mediterranean.
This is an ornamental tree, which can grow between 8 to 12 meters high, has spreading branches and its foliage is dense, in tropical places with a dry season it loses its leaves. On the other hand, in places with environmental conditions with good humidity during the year, its leaves are perennial. Its flowers are a striking red color.
Flamboyant trees when they are juveniles give little shade, however in their adult age they do give a lot of shade. It happens that while this tree is growing, it is its branches that predominate in its growth and, because it grows in width, taking out new branches that are longer and longer, the thickness of its trunk predominates less. It is suggested to plant it in the garden with a distance of about 10 meters from the roads, buildings and pipes, so you can enjoy the tree and take care of your home.
trees of the genus Rubber plant sp.
The Ficus genus is represented by plants that grow as: trees, shrubs and climbing plants, they are plants of the botanical family Moraceae. Originally from the intertropical zone, although some have adapted to temperate places. They are known in the tropics as evergreen trees, because they keep their leaves all the time. The exceptions are observed in specimens that live in places with a non-tropical climate and with a long dry season.
If you want to plant Ficus trees in your garden , I suggest you have a good-sized area so their roots can spread properly, especially if they are Ficus benghalensis or Ficus robusta species. Ficus benjamina or Ficus retusa trees, on the other hand , can be kept in smaller gardens, and you can lightly prune their branches to maintain the size of their canopy and their abundant foliage.
The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua)
The carob tree, scientifically known as Ceratonia siliqua, is native to the Mediterranean basin and the Near East. It is a leafy tree with an average height of 7 to 10 meters, with a broad crown whose diameter is similar to the tree's height, around 5 to 6 meters. It is a fast-to-medium-growing tree that lives for many years. It is a very hardy tree.
It grows very well in places with a warm climate, close to the coast, it does not resist frost. They are trees that are not demanding with soil conditions, their roots are deep and extensive and they like sunny places, it is a low maintenance tree. It serves as a tree for low slopes where you want to protect the soil, due to the characteristics of its roots. It is a tree resistant to pruning, it can also be allowed to grow without pruning it in its juvenile stage and, when it is an adult, prune the very long branches.
The Acacias
Acacia trees belong to the Fabaceae family and are native to Australia and Africa. Their cultivation has spread to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Most acacia trees provide little shade, but among them, Acacia tortilis, a species native to North Africa, stands out for its adaptability to tropical and subtropical environments. Similarly, Acacia saligna, when mature, provides ample and abundant foliage and offers good shade.
Acacia trees are resistant to drought and grow quite fast, their flowers are yellow and when several Acacia trees are observed in bloom they give a beautiful show, they are planted in parks and gardens, it is suggested to plant leaving a distance of 7 meters between floors and also away from pipes and buildings.
Bauhinia trees
Trees of the genus Bauhinia belong to the Fabaceae family and are native to the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The species Bauhinia variegata is native to India and is commonly known as the orchid tree or cow's foot tree. It is a small tree that can reach a height of 6 to 7 meters. It has deciduous leaves and a broad, umbrella-like crown, and when mature, it can provide ample shade.
It's called the orchid tree because its flowers give off a delicate fragrance and resemble orchids of the Cattleya genus . It has five petals and its color varies, ranging from white and pink to purple. These trees are planted in gardens, avenues, and parks, either individually or in groups. They thrive in full sun or indirect light, preferring warm to temperate temperatures, but cannot tolerate frost. They flourish in tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean climates.
The citrus
When we talk about citrus trees, we immediately think of fruit trees and we do not associate them with trees that provide good shade. Among these the lemon tree and oranges can be ideal. They are trees with perennial leaves and small beautiful aromatic flowers. Choosing these fruits to cultivate and decorate your garden will provide you with good shade and a pleasant aroma, which will be completed by having fruits in the harvest season. It is suggested to pay every six months and if you live in a country with seasons, pay it in spring and autumn, also protect it from frost, they can withstand up to -7°C.
Shade trees for the temperate region
Here a suggestion will be made of trees that originate in places in the temperate region of the planet, have been cultivated with good results, they usually adapt to places in Europe, North America and Asia. Offering a beautiful show for its leafy tops, beautiful flowers, great height and withstand frost.
The Oak
The oak ( Quercus robur ) is a tree that can reach an average height of 40 meters. It requires loose, deep, and slightly acidic soils. It is a majestic tree with a leafy crown about 10 meters in diameter. It is a deciduous tree that loses its leaves in autumn. It can be planted in various locations in Europe, starting at altitudes of 600 meters above sea level, in areas with slightly acidic soils, and it tolerates frost. In the garden, it is recommended to plant it in a secluded spot away from buildings.
the chestnut
The Horse Chestnut ( Aesculus hippocastanum ), belongs to the Sapindaceae family. This tree is commonly called "false chestnut" because its fruits resemble those of the genus Castanea, family Fagaceae. It is a deciduous tree that grows to about 30 meters in height. It has an erect trunk with numerous branches, simple, large, opposite leaves, and is a fast-growing plant.
This tree originated in Albania, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavia, it has been cultivated for its beauty in different countries of the European continent with a temperate climate, which have planted them in parks and streets of temperate countries. It adapts well to acid soils and large areas of land. It does not adapt to places with droughts, nor hot and dry winds that occur in places near the coast.
The Maples
These trees, known as Maples, belong to the Sapindaceae family. They are native to the temperate region of the continents of North America and Europe. Several species are represented, the most well known being Acer palmatum , Acer rubrum , Acer pseudoplatanus , Acer campestre , Acer pensylvanicum , and Acer negundo.
The first three maple species mentioned— Acer palmatum , Acer rubrum , and Acer pseudoplatanus— are tall trees that provide good shade. The other two maple species, A. penylvanicum and A. negundo , being smaller (around 5 to 12 meters tall), can offer good shade in small gardens. These trees are hardy in temperate regions.
The arboreal privet
The lucid privet ( Ligustrum lucidum ) belongs to the Olegaceae family. Native to China and Japan, it is commonly planted in parking lots and parks. This evergreen tree grows to an average height of 8 to 15 meters and is fast-growing.
It is a very leafy tree and has beautiful aromatic flowers that bloom during spring, it adapts well to different soils, so they are considered invasive plants and since they displace native plants from the region. Its fruits dirty the ground a lot, for this reason it is suggested to be aware of keeping its surroundings clean and in addition, you will control its spread by the seeds that fall.
Trees of the genus Prunus
These trees are very beautiful and many are cultivated for their fruits such as plums, peaches and apricots. The trees of the Prunus genus, are part of the Rosaceae family, these trees, depending on the species, have deciduous or perennial leaves, they are very beautiful trees and can provide good shade in small gardens.
How to take care of your trees
You have already selected the shade tree that you want to plant and you have taken into account the indications, species, temperature, adaptability and durability or expiration of its leaves, it suggests that you read the advice for caring for your trees, which are presented below.
- It is suggested that trees be planted with sufficient distance from tree to tree so that there is no competition for soil nutrients between them.
- Although they are trees with deep roots and superficial roots that are not very extensive, it is suggested to plant them far from houses, paved ground, pipes. Remember, these trees grow and over time if you did not take precautions and planted it very close to a wall or sidewalk, its roots can cause damage to the construction. It is suggested to plant the trees at a distance of 3 to 4 meters between the tree and the building.
- For a good development of the tree you planted, it is suggested that you be aware of its maintenance, such as: consider if you are in a warm climate, the rainy and dry seasons, for this you will have to water frequently in the dry seasons. Fertilize at the beginning of the rainy season so that the soil absorbs it well and reaches different depths. Prune at the end of the dry season so that the cut heals well and fungus does not fall due to the rains.
- Trees planted in temperate regions, prune in spring. Fertilize in spring and then in autumn. Water more frequently in spring, summer and early fall, then the rains will water them in fall and winter.
I invite you to learn more about trees by reading the following posts: