Choose Some Shady Trees

Trees recommended by Jeff Clark, our nursery's assistant manager

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Bunches of shade trees have arrived and now is the perfect time to get them in the ground. Jeff Clark, our nursery’s assistant manager says, “If you plant them now, they’ll be established before the heat and winds start up this spring.”

Three trees he recommends are:

  • Autumn Purple Ash—grows up to 3 feet a year, reaching 45 feet and 35 wide, this tree takes a pleasing oval shape when mature. Easy to grow and it’s a hardy tree that loves sunlight. Zone 4
  • Zelkoba—is risky to transplant in the fall, so do it now. Requires little irrigation except in sandy soils. It reaches 35 feet when mature with branches spreading to 25 feet in vase shape. Zone 5
  • Kentucky Coffee—name because people once used the large seeds to make coffee, but eaten raw the seeds are poisonous. (Ah, the poor person who found that out!) The tree is closely related to the honeylocust and is tough with “messy” branches (not symmetrical). Trunk reaches 45 feet with a canopy of 35 feet.
    Zone 4.

    Jeff says all three of these trees “can deal with our soils here” and they are drought tolerant and pretty much pest free. So if you’re looking for something to block the wind and give a little shade these just may do the trick. Then come winter their bare branches provide continuing interest in the garden.