Top 10 Shade Trees

Is there anything better than sitting under the shade of a big, beautiful tree?  Here's our 10 favorite large trees.  Please call to check availability and prices.

Greenspire Linden
Height: 40-50 feet
Width: 25 feet
Zone 3

Dense, narrow oval form. Small fragrant flowers in June-July.  Very straight trunk and strong central leader.  Fast-growing and does well in difficult urban environments. Medium green foliage turns yellow in fall.

Sensation Boxelder
Height: 30 feet
Width: 25 feet
Zone 4

Young emerging leaves have a reddish-orange color, giving the tree a multicolored appearance in spring.  Fall foliage is orange-red and very showy.  Tolerant of temperature extremes, drought and high pH soils.

October Glory Maple
Height: 40 feet
Width: 25-35 feet
Zone 4


Superior red color and a fast-growing tree.  In spring it produces red fruit that attracts birds.  Tolerant of many soils but prefers slightly acid and moist conditions.  Will flourish in urban conditions where poor soil and pollution will affect more sensitive trees.

Kentucky Coffeetree
Height: 40-50 feet
Width: 25 feet
Zone 3

Narrow new growth broadens with age.  The new foliage is slightly pink and turns almost dark blue in summer. One of the latest to leaf out in spring.  Fragrant white flowers and reddish-pink seed pods that served as early Kentucky settler's coffee beans. Adapts to alkaline soils and city conditions.  Drought tolerant.

Catalpa
Height: 50-70 feet
Width: 40 feet
Zone 4


Fast-growing tree with large heart-shaped leaves.  White flowers in late June and fruit is a long pod.  Very tolerant of tough conditions.  A great feature tree but the seed pods can be messy.

Deborah Norway Maple
Height: 45-55 feet
Width: 40-50 feet
Zone 4

In spring and early summer foliage emerges a brillant reddish-purple.  During summer foliage is dark green and leathery.  Turns yellow-bronze in fall.  Rounded to broad form with a strong central leader.  Fruit and flowers are insignificant.

Honeylocust
Height: 30 to 50 feet
Width: up to 50 feet
Zone 4


Several varieties available.  Fast-growing with fragrant flowers.  Delicate, open foliage lets grass grow underneath.  Tiny leaves turn yellow-green in fall.  Pollution, salt and drought tolerant.  Prefers full sun and adapts to a wide range of soil conditions.  

Ohio Buckeye
Height: 50 feet
Width:
Zone 3


Slow-growing tree with rounded growth habit.  Flowers are creamy yellow and bloom in late spring.  Leaves turn to golden-orange in the fall.  Fruits are conspicuous and usually a single, rounded shiny brown seed is produced in each fruit.

Autumn Blaze Ornamental Pear
Height: 30-40 feet
Width: 20-30
Zone 4


Ornamental pear with horizontal branching and wide, rounded form. Clusters of showy white flowers appear in spring before leaves emerge. Foliage matures to a dark glossy green through summer and turns crimson red in fall.

Ash
Height: 40-50 feet
Width: 35-40 feet
Zone 4

Ash can tolerate soils with a wide range of moisture and alkalinity.  Grow fast and is long-lived.  Very versatile tree.  Several varieties available.