| Lately folks at our retail gardening store are | | | | many type of Ash trees. Arizona, Modesto, |
| looking for large shade type trees. And like most | | | | White, Fan Tex, and Raywood are some of the |
| of us they want instant gratification. Yea, during | | | | more popular. The Ash tree grows to about 50ft. |
| the summer they want instant shade and they | | | | tall and 30ft. wide and an excellent drought |
| want it now. Of course money is a big factor in | | | | tolerant shade tree that turns a golden yellow in |
| purchasing shade trees. | | | | the fall. The Raywood turn a dark red color. |
| Did you know you can reduce the need for an air | | | | Moderate grower about 1-2ft. per year. I |
| conditioner in a home or building by as much as 25 | | | | recommend the male trees as the female will |
| percent, that's a big savings on your electric bill! | | | | produce the fruit which is messy. The limbs are |
| On the average it is about 10 degrees cooler | | | | somewhat brittle when the tree gets older thus |
| underneath a good shade tree. | | | | making it more of a maintenance problem. They |
| If your landscaping budget is tight I suggest | | | | do best in full sun. |
| purchasing a small to medium sized shade tree at | | | | Live Oak or Quercus virginiana: The Southern Live |
| your local nursery. Not only will it cost less but | | | | Oak - Can grow up to 70-80ft. This type of tree |
| you will have the ability to deliver and plant if | | | | is slow growing but it is an evergeen in the |
| yourself, thus saving you even more money. If | | | | southwest, massive shade tree once fully mature. |
| money is not a factor (you lucky dog) then the | | | | Its horizontal branches form a broad rounded |
| larger the better. | | | | canopy. Can take full sun needs moderate |
| Below are descriptions and types of shade trees | | | | watering once established. They like well drained |
| that will do well in the southwestern heat. | | | | soil and have numerous acorns that fall during the |
| The weeping willow tree or Salix babylonica: This | | | | spring. |
| tree grows extremely fast can double sometimes | | | | Good Free tree information at: Guzman's Chinese |
| triple in size about 2-3 years. They can grow to | | | | Pistache Tree or Pistacia chinensis. This tree is a |
| about 50-60ft. tall and about 30-40 ft wide. They | | | | desirable ornamental with attractive, umbrella-like |
| have long pendular type limbs that hang low giving | | | | crown. Has Lustrous green leaves turning a brilliant |
| it that "weeping" look. The leaves are small and | | | | orange crimson color in fall. Very drought tolerant, |
| narrow but numerous which is ideal for shade. It is | | | | deciduous and extremely handsome tree. About |
| one of the first trees to leaf out during early | | | | 30-40 ft. tall and wide. Does well in the desert |
| spring and one of the last to lose it leaves in late | | | | heat. This is a very popular tree throughout the |
| fall. The wood is soft which makes susceptible to | | | | southwest. |
| insects. This tree can adapt to almost any type | | | | There you have it some very good trees that will |
| of soil but does best in moist well watered soil. | | | | provide cool shade during the stressful summer |
| The Ash Trees or Fraxinus species: Their are | | | | heat. |