Best Trees for the Backyard

Having trees in your backyard not only shade your house, but also provide a space for playing and relaxing on hot summer days. Consider using these trees in your backyard for a shady, enjoyable environment, even in the heat of summer.

Royal Empress Tree

Many times, it takes trees quite a while before reaching their mature size. Royal Empress Tree is an exception to this. With a rapid growth that is unrivaled by any other tree, (12 to 15 feet in a single year!) Royal Empress Tree is a tree that will shade your yard quickly. Reaching at least 40 feet in the air, and 30 feet in spread in under 4 years, this tree will provide you with deep shade that will make the hot summer months tolerable. Use this tree without any concern for invading, as this species will not spread throughout your yard. Winter highlights the fuzzy flower buds, and in the spring, the lavender flowers cover the tree, filling the air with their sweet scent.

Shumard Oak

Oak trees not only make great shade trees, but also provide wildlife with plenty of habitat. Shumard oak is a spectacular oak tree, because of it’s stature (up to 90 feet tall and 60 feet wide at maturity), and it’s fall color. Unlike most oaks, Shumard oak turns a brilliant red in the fall, rivaling the maples and other trees. The acorns reach up to an inch in size, making them perfect for wildlife and for young imaginations. Use this tree in an area where you want a tree that is large and hardy, as Shumard oak is sure to live up to both of those statements.

Brandywine Maple

Most people think of maples and think of the seeds that pile up and clog gutters.  Brandywine maple is a tree with only male flowers in the spring– meaning there are  no pesky seeds to clean up. In addition, Brandywine maple turns gorgeous reddish purple in the fall, providing you with color that can’t be found anywhere else. With a mature size of 25 feet tall by 15 feet wide, it is the perfect size for a backyard where you want some shade but don’t want the entire yard engulfed by a tree.

While these trees all would look beautiful in both your front and back yards, these trees will make a stellar addition to your backyard – especially in an area where you want some shade without major cleanup when the leaves fall. In addition to the great color and shade, there are plenty of opportunities for imaginative minds to find unique adventures in the canopy. Consider using one of these trees in your backyard landscape and enjoy the unique benefits they provide.