Climate scientists keep validating what we already know. Shade trees are our best defense against a warming climate. In fact, urban areas with trees can be as much as 15 degrees cooler Fahrenheit than areas with less foliage, according to a May 10 article in Yale Climate Connections.
In Praise of Shade Trees cites a study conducted in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. authored by Portland State University’s Dr. Vivek Shandas and colleagues. The brief article also shares links to urban heat island research shared by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Forests, co-developers of the Vibrant Cities Lab. The evidence is overwhelming: Trees offer solutions to a multitude of environmental, social, economic and health problems. Trees are the Answer!
You can make your own small but mighty contribution to cooling our fragile planet by planting as many shade trees as you have room for. Planting just one tree makes a difference, as you can discover by using this Tree Benefits Calculator. Choosing trees that develop large, spreading canopies and planting them today will assure you of having plenty of lifesaving, money-saving shade in future years.
The ideal shade tree grows fast, but not too fast. It must have strong wood and open branch angles radiating off a well-developed trunk guided by a strong central leader, and a manageable, symmetrical growth habit. Many of these characteristics begin right here at our nursery, where our skilled production staff follows precise pruning and production guidelines for each species to develop straight sturdy trunks, symmetrical branching and balanced canopies. Several cultivars of these “speedy yet strong” shade trees are featured below.
Espresso™ Kentucky Coffee Tree
Gymnocladus dioicus ‘Espresso-JFS’
Arching branches of this North American native tree give it an elm-like form. Huge, doubly compound leaves composed of small, bluish-green leaflets provide filtered shade and give it a tropical feel. Our seedless selection bears none of the big seed pods that can be problematic in landscapes and streetscapes. This long-lived and highly adaptable tree is tolerant of heat, drought, cold and acid to alkaline soils. Mature height and spread are approximately 50’ x 35’.
Exclamation!® Planetree
Platanus acerifolia ‘Morton Circle’
The perfect symmetry of this improved Planetree demands attention wherever it is planted. Its upright pyramidal canopy is shaped by a strong central leader and well-spaced, upright-angled branches that make it an easy-care favorite of growers, landscape architects and arborists. A carefree performer on city streets, this tall and majestic shade maker is urban tolerant and resistant to anthracnose and powdery mildew. Light-fruiting habit and resistance to frost cracking are additional reasons to plant this remarkably adaptable urban tree. Symmetrical and mannerly growth habit make it easy to manage in the nursery and in the landscape. Mature height and spread are approximately 55’ x 35’.
Bur Oak
Quercus macrocarpa
Found throughout the Midwest and much of Canada, this large and impressive native tree grows from Manitoba to Texas and is therefore adaptable to many sites and varied growing conditions. Leaves have an intriguing shape, similar to an English Oak leaf near the petiole, then fanning out at mid-leaf to what may be the biggest oak leaf of all. In summer, the dark green leaf surfaces contrast with the lighter undersides to create a shimmering effect. Fall color is yellow to yellow brown.
Bur oak adapts to varied soils including dry sandy soils, clay soils, and alkaline soils. Its majestic, broad canopy with thick trunk and stout branches cast welcome shade for parks, campuses and large open spaces. Probably the hardiest of oaks, it is hardy to USDA Zone 3 and tolerates city conditions more readily than other oaks.
Greenspire® Linden
Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’
The standard of comparison among the Lindens, this 1961 introduction of the historic Princeton Nursery of New Jersey is undoubtedly the most widely planted of the lindens, and for good reason. It has a strong central leader, very uniform branch arrangement and maintains a symmetrical, pyramidal form as it reaches a height and spread of about 40’ x 30’ in about 30 years.
Per Dirr and Warren in The Tree Book, “If a contest were held for the tree with the ideal pyramidal shape, this would be the winner.” Clean, dark green foliage turns yellow in autumn. Hardiness is USDA Zone 4.
Skyline® Honeylocust
Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Skycole’
A longtime favorite of city foresters, our best-seller among the Honeylocust cultivars is the most widely planted for good reason. This “oldie but goodie” is an ideal street tree for many urban settings. Small, compound leaflets create a minimum of leaf litter in autumn, and unlike the native species, it is thornless. Hardy through USDA Zone 4, its tolerance of heat, cold, drought, soil compaction and other environmental challenges make it a versatile city tree. Its excellent form and performance make it an enduring favorite since its introduction in 1957 by The Cole Nurseries of Ohio. Mature form is broadly pyramidal as it reaches a height and spread of about 45’ x 35’ in 30 years.
Frontier Elm
Ulmus ‘Frontier’
If you don’t have space for a large shade tree, here’s a medium size tree that will cast plenty of shade and deliver fall color that must be seen to be believed. Unlike the autumn leaves of most elms that merely turn yellow before drifting to the ground, its small, glossy, dark green leaves turn to rich burgundy red. The long-lasting show of reddish-purple foliage is particularly striking as it appears late in the season, after most other red-leaved trees have defoliated.
Developed and introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum, its disease resistance includes tolerance of Dutch elm disease, elm yellows (phloem necrosis) and moderate resistance to elm leaf beetle. Another plus, per its U.S. National Arboretum fact sheet: This hybrid of a spring-flowering (U. minor) and fall-flowering (U. parvifolia) species rarely flowers, resulting in no seed production observed.
Gardeners! Please note that our nursery is strictly wholesale. To purchase these and other trees grown by our nursery, please use our Retailer Locator to find sources of JFS trees near you.
