Our Pick of the 9 Best Trees for Shade and Cooling

Shademaster locust is a thornless black honeylocust cultivar that is commonly grown as a shade tree. It has a vase-shaped, upright, and pyramidal form with small, fern-like, dark green leaves. Its foliage is dense and delicate, casting a dappled shade, lending the tree its common name.

Shademaster locust trees typically grow quite rapidly, which means they can quickly establish themselves and provide shade within a relatively short period. They are also considered to be relatively low maintenance, making them a convenient choice for homeowners and landscapers. It is adaptable to a range of soil types and can tolerate drought once established, making it suitable for various climates. However, it may not be suitable for all environments.

In addition to the benefits listed above, the Shademaster locust has some drawbacks. Black locust trees, including the Shademaster cultivar, have the potential to spread aggressively through root suckering, which may be undesirable in some landscapes. Some specimens may develop thorns, which can be a drawback depending on the desired use of the tree and its proximity to high-traffic areas. While generally hardy, black locust trees can be sensitive to pollution, so they may not thrive in heavily urbanized or industrial areas.

The American sweetgum is a large shade tree with an ovular shape. It can reach heights ranging from 70 to 120 feet, and has sprawling branches that spread 40 to 50 feet, creating ample shade. Its leaves are glossy green and have a distinctive five-pointed star shape, similar to maple leaves. 

American sweetgum trees typically have a broad, spreading canopy that provides ample shade. As they mature, they can create a significant amount of shade, making them desirable for landscaping purposes. The foliage of this tree is sweetly scented and attractive, especially in the fall. The leaves turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the tree. American sweetgum trees are adaptable to a range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. This adaptability makes them suitable for various landscaping situations. Once established, American sweetgum trees generally require minimal maintenance. They are relatively drought-tolerant and resistant to many pests and diseases.

However, there are also some considerations to keep in mind when choosing the American sweetgum as your shade tree. The spiky seed pods produced by the sweetgum can be a nuisance, especially if they fall onto walkways or areas where people gather. Regular cleanup may be necessary in such cases. American sweetgum trees can grow quite large, so it's essential to consider their mature size when planting them. Ensure they have enough space to grow without interfering with structures or other plants. Like many trees, American sweetgum trees have shallow roots that can potentially cause issues with sidewalks, driveways, and foundations if not planted with adequate space.

Red Malples are one of the most common deciduous trees in the United States. It is prized for its rich, highly desirable, bright red foliage that develops in the autumn. Red Maples are known for their relatively fast growth rate, especially when young. When mature, they can reach a height of 70 feet. This means they can quickly establish themselves and provide shade in a relatively short amount of time. Red Maples typically have a wide, spreading canopy that provides ample shade coverage. As they mature, their canopy can become quite expansive (30-50 feet) offering shade to a significant area. Red Maples are adaptable to a wide range of soil types and environmental conditions, making them suitable for various landscaping situations. They can tolerate wet or dry soils, as well as urban environments. These trees can be used in various landscaping settings, including residential yards, parks, and along streetscapes. They can be planted as individual specimens or in groupings for added visual impact. Once established, Red Maples generally require minimal maintenance.

While Red Maples offer many benefits as shade trees, it's essential to consider some potential drawbacks as well. Like many maple species, Red Maples have shallow roots that can potentially cause issues with sidewalks, driveways, and foundations if not planted with adequate space. Red Maples produce samaras (winged seeds) that can be dispersed by wind, potentially leading to seedlings popping up in unwanted areas of the landscape. Additionally, Red Maples are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, including horse chestnut scale, aphids, and verticillium wilt.

The London Plane is a large, deciduous tree, with large, maple-like leaves. London Plane trees are known for their ability to thrive in diverse environments, and offer a great shady retreat during the heat of summer. 

London Plane trees have a broad, spreading canopy that provides abundant shade. This makes them suitable for shading large areas, such as parks, streets, and yards. These trees are known for their relatively fast growth rate, especially when young. This means they can quickly establish themselves and begin providing shade within a few years of planting. London Plane trees are highly adaptable to less ideal environments, including urban/polluted areas, compacted soil, and drought. They are often planted along city streets and in parks due to their ability to thrive in challenging conditions. Once established, London Plane trees require relatively little maintenance. They are generally resistant to pests and diseases, can tolerate heavy pruning well, which can be advantageous for maintaining their size and shape in urban environments where space is limited.

While London Plane trees offer many benefits as shade trees, it's important to consider some potential drawbacks. London Plane trees can grow to be quite large, growing upwards of 100 feet tall, so they may not be suitable for small yards or confined spaces. It's important to plant them with enough room to accommodate their mature size. The fruit of London Plane trees, known as "button balls," can be messy when they drop from the tree. Additionally, the shedding bark can create litter, which may be undesirable in some landscaping situations.

A tree that grabs your attention, the Northern Catalpa is a moderately large deciduous tree with white, showy, fragrant flowers, and dangling bean-like seed pods that persist through the winter, supported by a massive trunk and twisting branches.

Northern Catalpa trees have a broad, spreading canopy that provides ample shade coverage. This makes them effective for shading large areas in yards, parks, or along streets. Catalpa trees are known for their relatively rapid growth rate, especially when they are young.  The large, heart-shaped leaves of the Northern Catalpa contribute to its ability to provide shade. These leaves create a dense canopy that filters sunlight and creates a cool, shaded environment beneath the tree. Northern Catalpa trees produce showy clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers in late spring or early summer. These flowers not only add beauty to the tree but also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden. Northern Catalpa trees are relatively tolerant of a wide range of soil types and environmental conditions. They can withstand urban pollution, drought, and compacted soil, making them suitable for planting in urban or suburban landscapes. Once established, Northern Catalpa trees require minimal maintenance. They are generally resistant to pests and diseases, and pruning is typically only necessary for shaping or removing dead or damaged branches.

However, it's essential to consider some potential drawbacks of Northern Catalpa trees. They produce long, slender seed pods that can be messy when they fall from the tree. These pods can create litter in the landscape and may require regular cleanup. While generally hardy, Northern Catalpa trees may be susceptible to damage from strong winds, ice storms, or heavy snow loads due to their relatively weak wood.

The Japanese Zekova is native to East Asia, and has been used in western ornamental horticulture since the 19th century. It can provide a beautiful shady spot thanks to its broad canopy of densely packed, ovate leaves, which turn into a showy display of purple, red, and yellow colors in the fall.

Japanese Zelkova trees are highly adaptable to urban environments, including pollution, compacted soil, and drought. They are often planted along city streets and in parks due to their ability to thrive in challenging conditions. Japanese Zelkova trees are relatively resistant to many common tree diseases, including Dutch elm disease, which can affect other shade tree species. Once established, Japanese Zelkova trees require minimal maintenance. They tolerate pruning well, which can be advantageous for maintaining their size and shape in urban environments where space is limited. 

Versatility: Japanese Zelkova trees can be used in various landscaping settings, including residential yards, parks, and along streetscapes. They can be planted as individual specimens or in groupings for added visual impact.

However, it's important to consider some potential drawbacks. Japanese Zelkova trees prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil pH and may not perform well in highly alkaline soils. In order to keep this tree happy and healthy, you will need to monitor your soil conditions regularly. While generally hardy, Japanese Zelkova trees may be susceptible to certain pests, such as aphids or scale insects, especially when stressed.

River Birches are native to eastern North America and are naturally found growing along streams and in bottomlands from as far north as Massachusetts, south to Florida, and west to Kansas. 

River Birch trees have a broad, spreading canopy that provides ample shade coverage. River Birch trees have a relatively fast growth rate, reaching about 60 to 80 feet tall at maturity. The foliage of River Birch trees is attractive, with medium to dark green leaves that turn yellow in the fall before dropping. The leaves are smaller than those of some other shade trees, but they still contribute to the overall beauty of the tree. One of the most distinctive features of River Birch trees is their papery bark. The bark peels away in thin layers, revealing shades of brown, cream, and orange beneath. This adds visual interest to the tree, especially in the winter months when the branches are bare. River Birch trees are highly adaptable to wet or poorly drained soils, making them an excellent choice for planting in low-lying areas or near water features like ponds or streams. They are often used in rain gardens or riparian buffer zones. Once established, River Birch trees require minimal maintenance. They are generally resistant to pests and diseases, and pruning is typically only necessary for shaping or removing dead or damaged branches.

However, it's important to consider some potential drawbacks. River Birch trees have a tendency to produce suckers, especially in response to stress or damage. These suckers can sprout up around the base of the tree and may need to be pruned or managed to maintain a tidy appearance. While generally hardy, River Birch trees may be susceptible to infestation by the bronze birch borer, especially if they are stressed due to environmental factors like drought or poor soil conditions.

The Weeping Willow is probably the best known of the weeping tree species, featuring lance-shaped leaves that turn yellow in the fall; rough, gray-colored bark; and gracefully arching stems that dangle delicately and shiver in the breeze. The Weeping Willow is often considered a good shade tree for certain situations, but it's important to understand its characteristics and limitations.

These trees are known for their rapid growth rate, which means they can quickly establish themselves and provide shade in a relatively short amount of time. Their long, drooping branches create a distinctive and graceful canopy that provides dappled shade. This canopy can be quite expansive, offering shade to a significant area. Weeping Willows are highly adaptable to wet or poorly drained soils, making them suitable for planting near water features such as ponds, lakes, or streams. They are often used to stabilize streambanks and prevent erosion.

However, there are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing a Weeping Willow as a shade tree. Weeping willows have aggressive and invasive root systems that can potentially cause problems. These roots can spread widely and invade underground pipes, septic systems, and foundations, causing damage. The wood and thin branches of Weeping Willows are relatively weak and prone to breakage, especially during storms or periods of high winds. This can be a safety concern, particularly if the tree is planted near structures or areas where people gather. Because of their weak wood and small leaves, these trees produce a significant amount of debris, which can create a mess in the surrounding area. Additionally, the tree sheds its leaves and catkins (flowers) in the spring, adding to the cleanup requirements. Weeping willows have a relatively short lifespan compared to some other shade trees, typically living for around 30 to 50 years. This may need to be considered when selecting a tree for long-term landscaping plans.

The Chinese Pistache features dark green foliage, red fruit that turns a midnight blue when ripe, attractive exfoliating bark, and dazzling fall colors. This eye-catching tree is classified as an invasive species in some areas, but it's important to note that in order to reproduce, there needs to be a male tree and a female tree within a distance of each other. Male trees do not produce any fruits and female trees will not have petals.

Chinese Pistache trees have a broad, spreading canopy that provides ample shade coverage, making them a great contender. The foliage of Chinese Pistache trees is one of their standout features. The leaves are pinnately compound and turn vibrant shades of orange, red, and yellow in the fall, creating a vibrant display for your landscape. Chinese Pistache trees are well-adapted to dry conditions once established. They can withstand periods of drought without suffering significant stress, making them suitable for regions with hot, arid climates. Chinese Pistache trees are also tolerant of pollution and urban stresses, such as compacted soil and limited space. They are often planted along streets and in urban landscapes where other trees may struggle to thrive. Chinese Pistache trees are adaptable to a range of soil types, including alkaline, acidic, clay, loam, and sandy soils. Once established, Chinese Pistache trees require minimal maintenance. They are relatively pest and disease-resistant, and pruning is typically only necessary for shaping or removing dead or damaged branches.

However, it's important to consider some potential drawbacks of Chinese Pistache trees. They will produce small, round fruits that can be messy when they fall from the tree. These fruits may create litter in the landscape and may need to be cleaned up regularly. Chinese Pistache trees have aggressive root systems that may cause issues with nearby structures, such as sidewalks, driveways, and foundations. Regular root pruning may be necessary to prevent damage.