Analysis conducted by JAV environmental institutions, summarizing the results of 308 studies, showed that urban areas covered with green vegetation were on average about 1.6 °C cooler than areas without vegetation.
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On a private plot, this effect is primarily felt due to the shade that a tree provides to the ground, garden paths, and house walls. However, there is an important nuance here: abundant shade does not necessarily mean there will be more moisture under the tree canopy. A large tree consumes a lot of water, so during drought its roots may start to compete with nearby plants and weaken them.
Planting a tree near the house can also be beneficial. In summer, deciduous trees protect the facade and windows from overheating, and in winter, by shedding leaves, they allow sunlight to freely enter the house. The greatest cooling effect is achieved when the shade falls on the southern and western sides of the building.
Look not at the seedling, but ahead – twenty years
Before planting a tree, it is important to calculate in advance the distance to the house walls, fences, paths, and overhead power lines. It is also necessary to assess the location of beds, fruit trees, berry bushes, and sun-loving flowers.
The position of the sun depends on the season, so summer and winter shadows can be completely different. A tree that pleasantly shades the terrace in June may later block vital sunlight for other garden plants.
The underground part of the tree is no less important. Some species develop widely branched surface roots, making it very difficult to grow other plants under the canopy. A tree planted too close to the house foundation or paving stones can also damage them over time.
Red maple grows fast but is not suitable for all soils
Red maple (Acer rubrum) is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America, valued for its fairly fast growth and bright autumn leaf color.
It usually grows up to 12–18 meters tall, and the canopy can spread up to 9–15 meters wide. Red maple grows faster than sugar and silver maples but slower than silver maple.
The tree prefers a sunny or partially shaded location. It thrives best in fresh, moist, slightly acidic soil. Although red maple is not very demanding, nutrient uptake can be disrupted and chlorosis may develop in alkaline soil.
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If you want more shade in the yard and have enough space, red maple can be a good choice. However, in a small garden, it should be planted only after carefully considering the future size of the tree.
Its surface and dense roots strongly compete with other plants growing under the canopy. Also, a tree planted too close to paths or the house foundation can damage them over time.
Japanese cherry: valued more for flowers than for fast growth
When choosing a Japanese ornamental cherry (Prunus serrulata), it should be called a fast-growing tree with caution. It is not one of the fastest-growing shade-providing species. It is usually chosen for its impressive spring bloom and decorative canopy, rather than for quickly providing dense shade.
The main species can grow up to 8–12 meters tall, and the canopy can spread more than 8 meters wide. The tree requires a sunny location and moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil.
It is especially important here to choose the right variety, as the shape of ornamental cherry canopies can vary greatly.
For example, ‘Amanogawa’ grows to 4–8 meters tall, but its canopy remains narrow – only 2.5–4 meters wide. Meanwhile, ‘Shōgetsu’, being of similar height, can spread up to 4–8 meters wide.
Therefore, when choosing a tree for the garden, it is important to think not only about how it looks on the planting day. You should imagine how the entire plot will look after 10, 15, or even 20 years.
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