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 Plant
a Bit of Shade
By Melinda Myers
[August 02, 2025]
Summer heat
may have you seeking comfort from a nearby shade tree. You
immediately experience as much as a 15 to 20 degree drop in
temperature and enjoy the relief it provides.
Bring this shady relief home by looking for ways to include trees in
your landscape. First, monitor patterns of sun and shade on and
around your home throughout the day and throughout the year as the
angle and position of the sun changes. Observe the impact your home,
neighboring homes, sheds and existing plantings have on the sunlight
reaching your landscape.
Consider providing welcome shade where needed during the hottest
hours of the day and weeks of the year. Look for opportunities to
plant trees where you can make a difference in your comfort and
money spent cooling your home. |
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Plant trees, if space allows, near those areas where
you spend time outdoors. Shading patios and decks makes them more
inviting on a hot summer day. Deciduous trees that drop their leaves
in winter allow you to soak up some welcome sunshine during the
cooler months of the year.
Maximize the cooling benefits to your home by planting trees on the
east and west side of your house. Shading the roof, walls and
windows greatly reduces heat gain and energy needed to cool your
home. Since about 75 percent of the heat gain in a building comes
through the windows, shading them can greatly increase your comfort
and reduce money spent cooling your home. Once again, deciduous
trees provide needed shade in summer and allow warming sunlight into
homes during the cooler months.
Don’t overlook paved areas near your home that greatly impact the
air temperature. Shading paved drives and walks reduces heat
absorbed that is released back into the surrounding air. Lowering
the temperature of the space around your home helps lower the indoor
temperature.
Shading an air conditioner can increase its efficiency by as much as
ten percent, reducing energy use and saving you money. If space is
limited, consider planting a shade-producing shrub or vine trained
on a trellis. Be sure to provide space around the unit for needed
airflow.
Avoid underground and overhead utilities when planting trees. Tall
trees that eventually grow into the wires or structures may
interfere with utilities and power transmission, creating a real
hazard. Improper placement results in pruning that ruins their
beauty or requires removal, eliminating any benefit they provided.
Always call 811 as you plan new plantings and at least three
business days before placing the first shovel in the ground. It can
help reduce the risk of injury and avoid the inconvenience that can
happen when you damage an underground utility.
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Consult your local university extension service and
energy company for plant selection and placement recommendations for
your area. Those living in wildfire prone areas need to also
consider fire-safe landscaping practices.
No room to plant trees on your property? Consider joining the local
tree board or other tree planting group. Adding trees to your
community can help you and your neighbors create a healthier, cooler
environment that everyone can enjoy.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books,
including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small
Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything”
instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s
Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and
contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned
by Summit for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
[Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com]
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