Shade Trees
October Glory Maple
$114.95
Whether you have a natural “green thumb” or just appreciate beauty, the October Glory tree is perfect for you! No other Maple tree exudes the radia...
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Red Maple Tree
$97.95
The Red Maple Tree can easily grow 40-60 feet tall with a round to oval shape. This Maple is extremely cold hardy. It will grow faster than a sugar...
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Tulip Poplar
$92.95
An immensely popular tree, the Tulip Poplar, is a fast grower and brilliant yellow show-er! Widely used as a street, shade, or ornamental tree, the...
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American Sycamore Tree
$129.95
The American Sycamore tree is a symbol of strength, resilience, protection, and longevity. These popular North American native trees have graced th...
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Ginkgo Tree
$123.95
The hearty Ginkgo is one of the most recognizable trees. Did you know that this Chinese native goes back over 270 million years?! If you thought th...
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American Red Maple Tree
$104.95
Introduction The American Red Maple is a Beautiful Shade Tree and Flowering Tree in One! Multi-season interest and color Beautiful red flowers in ...
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Northern Red Oak
$124.95
Introduction Fast Growing Shade Tree considered a National Treasure! Stunning Red Fall Color Adaptable and Tolerant Easy to Grow Attracts Wildlife...
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Red Sunset Maple
$129.95
Introduction Stunning Orange-Red Fall Color Gets 40-60 feet tall Fast Growing - up to 2 feet per year! Great shade tree Never Bareroot... All pla...
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Willow Oak
$144.95
Introduction An American classic Long lived and strong tree Grows to amazing heights Great provider of shade and food for the ecosystem Often plan...
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Silver Maple
$109.95
Introduction One of the Fastest Growing and Tallest Maples! Reaches heights up to 80 feet Silver-backed leaves Great tree for shade A true America...
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Quaking Aspen Tree
$114.95
For a sturdy, cold-hardy tree, the Quaking Aspen Tree is a perfect choice! This durable tree can handle even the harshest winters, and poor soil as...
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Dawn Redwood Tree
$99.95
Introduction A Rare and Unique Relic Once Thought Extinct! Long Living tree No Maintenance! Striking Golden-Orange fall foliage Tolerates wet soil...
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Chinese Chestnut Tree
$83.95
Introduction Beautiful Tree That Produces A Hearty Crop of Healthy Nuts Roast your home-grown chestnuts! Large tree that looks majestic in the hom...
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Heritage River Birch
$75.95
Growing up to 50-70 feet tall, the Heritage River Birch is definitely a statement tree. It grows wild along the Missouri riverbanks but can be adap...
View full detailsWhat are the Fastest Growing Shade Trees?
These 4 trees can grow over 5 feet in a single year:
The Tulip Poplar and the Autumn Blaze Maple average 3 to 5 feet in a single year. The Northern Red Oak, October Glory Maple, River Birch, Red Sunset Maple, and Shumard Oak can grow about 3 feet per year.
Caring for Shade Trees
Shade trees are generally easy to grow trees that need minimal if any maintenance once they are established. The best way to care for a shade tree is to keep it watered well for the first year, especially the first few months. Not only does this early time investment help your tree establish faster, it helps your tree’s roots grow. Deep roots mean a healthy, sturdy tree and can even help prevent those large surface roots down the road.
For more information, read our Shade Tree Care blog post.
What are the Best Shade Trees?
The best shade trees are no maintenance, adaptable, fast-growing, and have great fall color. Maple trees, like the Autumn Blaze Maple, October Glory Maple, and Red Sunset Maple are excellent trees with phenomenal fall color. The Weeping Willow tree is an extremely fast-growing shade tree that tolerates wet sites. The Shumard Oak, the Northern Red Oak, and the Willow Oak are resilient, native oak trees that require no maintenance once established and have unsurpassed longevity.
We have a blog post about the Best Shade Trees.
The Most Cold Tolerant Shade Trees
The most cold-hardy shade trees are the American Sycamore, Autumn Blaze Maple, Northern Red Oak, Red Maple, Silver Maple, Ginkgo, and Crimson King Maple. These trees are recommended for zone 3. The Weeping Willow, October Glory Maple, River Birch, Lombardy Poplar, Corkscrew Willow, Dawn Redwood, Red Sunset Maple, Tulip Poplar, and River Birch are also cold hardy, recommended for growing zone 4.
The Most Heat Tolerant Shade Trees
The most heat tolerant shade trees are all recommended for growing zone 9. The American Sycamore, Autumn Blaze Maple, Emperor Japanese Maple, Weeping Willow, October Glory Maple, Red Maple, River Birch, Lombardy Poplar, Silver Maple, Shumard Oak, Willow Oak, Corkscrew Willow, Ginkgo, and the Tulip Poplar are the trees with the most heat tolerance.
Shade Trees by Size
Small Shade Trees (up to 30 feet)
- Bloodgood Japanese Maple (zones 5-9)
- Coral Bark Japanese Maple (zones 5-8)
- Corkscrew Willow (zones 4-8)
- Emperor One Japanese Maple (zones 5-9)
- Kwanzan Cherry Tree (zones 5-9)
- Profusion Crabapple (zones 4-8)
Medium Shade Trees (30 to 50 feet)
- Brandywine Maple (zones 4-8)
- Cleveland Pear (zones 5-9)
- Lombardy Poplar (zones 3-9)
- October Glory Maple (zones 4-9)
- Red Sunset Maple (zones 4-8)
- River Birch (zones 4-9)
- Weeping Willow (zones 4-9)
Large Shade Trees (over 50 feet)
- Americn Sycamore (zones 4-9)
- Dawn Redwood (zones 4-8)
- Ginkgo Tree (zones 3-9)
- Northern Red Oak (zones 3-8)
- Red Maple (zones 3-9)
- Shumard Oak (zones 5-9)
- Silver Maple (zones 3-9)
- Tulip Poplar (zones 4-9)
- Willow Oak Tree (zones 5-9)