Sitting under a shady tree can feel up to 8°C cooler than sitting in full sun. With another scorching summer predicted for the ACT and region, now is the time to plant for shade. A tree planted this spring will set you up for summers to come and will add value to your house. Here’s some of our favourites and some issues to consider and where each option fits.
For Large Backyards
Oak and Pin Oak (Quercus species) There’s nothing quite like the dense, broad shade of a mature oak. It’s a long-term investment that takes years to earn its keep, but one that will still be shading the garden decades from now.Height/width: Pin oak grows to around 18 m tall by 12–15 m wide; other oaks vary but are similarly large. Growth rate: slow to moderate. Water: drought tolerant once established; minimal ongoing watering needed. Flowers: small, inconspicuous catkins in spring, not a feature. Pin oaks have lovely autumn colour turning rust-red. Oaks can by messy – acorns and leaf drop in autumn; pin oak holds its browned leaves into winter rather than dropping cleanly. Oaks are large, long-lived trees that need serious root and canopy space, so they’re only suited to bigger blocks.
Gleditsia sunburst
For Medium Gardens
Manchurian Pear (Pyrus ussuriensis) A reliable, attractive shade tree that also gives summer shade over the garden and glorious autumn colour before losing its leaves to allow the winter sun in. Height/width: 9–12 m tall, broad canopy. Moderate growth rate. Tolerates dry summers once established, though benefits from occasional deep watering.Masses of white blossom in spring. Strong autumn colour often red and orange.
Fraxinus ‘Urbdell’ and ‘Cimmzam’ (Ash) Fast growers with lovely dappled shade makes these trees a good option if you want shade sooner rather than later. Around 12m high and 8m wide they are best suited to a mid-to-large block. Moderately thirsty once established. Their autumn colour is bold yellow or golden. Both produce dark, glossy green foliage and furrowed bark, with ‘Urbdell’ more pyramidal in form.
Golden Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Sunburst’) A softer, more graceful alternative to denser-canopied trees. Fast growing to around 8m with an 8m spread Gleditsias have a naturally weeping habit. They are drought tolerant once established. The flowers are not a feature. In autumn the leaves turn a golden colour. Messiness: fine foliage means light, easy-to-manage leaf drop.
For Smaller Gardens
Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis) A dependable choice for a standard block, giving dappled summer shade, attractive bark in winter, and some of the best autumn colour available in a tree this size. It grows to around 8 m tall, similar spread. It has a moderate growth rate and once established doesn’t require heavy watering. Established trees cope well with dry periods. Excellent autumn colour, vivid orange to red. Messiness: The ornamental variety doesn’t produce nuts, so there’s minimal fruit litter.
Quince (Cydonia oblonga) There’s nothing as pretty as a quince tree in flower. A quince offers shade and spring flowers, plus a genuine crop of fruit, making it one of the better all-round choices for a garden that wants to look good and produce something too, and one of the quicker options here to establish.Height/width: around 4–6 m, similar spread. Growth rate: moderate to fast. Appreciates moderate watering through summer, particularly while fruiting. Showy pale pink to white blossom in spring and attractive yellow foliage in autumn. The fruit drops in autumn and can be messy if not harvested.
Quince flowers
Choosing the Right Tree for the Job
The best tree for your garden depends on what you need it to do: shade a west-facing living area, screen a neighbour, or simply look good through all four seasons. Growth rate matters too. If you want shade sooner, ash and golden honey locust get there faster; if you’re planting for the long term and don’t mind the wait, oaks are slower but well worth it. Before you plant get the tree to match the size of your block, and factor in water needs and leaf litter.