Lawns, trees & shrubs are mainstays in residential and commercial landscapes, maintained by horticultural service providers who take care of applying fertilizer and pesticides. In such horticultural landscapes, trees are valued not only for their aesthetic contribution but also, and more often, for the shade they provide to residential and commercial areas in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough.

Don Janssen, an extension educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, wrote an article at the UNL website on how to choose trees for shade. He reminds us of the factors to take into consideration when choosing trees. This could mean substantial savings in the long run since trees are quite expensive. Trial and error is not a cost effective option. Proper research, on the other hand, will help in making wise decisions with long term success.

When doing research, Janssen says it is vital to learn the Latin names of trees indicating their genus and species. This will ensure that your information pertains to the right tree and you will not be confused with informal names that may be given to some trees in some locales.

The mature height of the tree needs to be determined so that it will be proportional to the house or building it will be shading. The shape of the tree is also an important factor. Trees can be narrow, round or oval and the branches may spread wide horizontally or stay close to the trunk. The amount of shade needed and the space allotted for the tree should be correlated and matched.

The conditions in the site for the tree should also be determined so that the tree chosen will be compatible. What kind of soil is there? How much moisture and sunlight is available? Most trees prefer well drained soil. Various types of trees have varying soil preferences – from sandy soil to moist soil. These should not be mismatched.

Weather conditions are crucial, too. A storm-prone area, for example, should not be planted with trees susceptible to storm damage. Some trees cannot tolerate wind storms, while others cannot tolerate winter conditions. There are cases when some trees can tolerate mild winters for as long as they are in bright sunlight and are sheltered from the wind. Otherwise, the loss of moisture from strong wintry winds damages their foliage.

The location of the tree and its exposure to sunlight should also be matched with the needs of the tree. Janssen points out that while some trees require full sun, others thrive better when sheltered by taller trees.

Another factor that Janssen recommends checking before making a choice is the tree’s susceptibility to pests vis-à-vis the presence of such pests in the area. Some trees are more susceptible to certain insects and diseases than others.

The type of flowers and fruits borne by the tree, as well as its leaves and bark, should also be determined beforehand. Some people may not be able to cope with a tree that sheds too much flowers, fruits, leaves and even bark. Some fruits are staining and are, therefore, avoided by many. In a residential landscape, any allergies of residents should likewise be considered.

For aesthetic purposes, the color and texture of the tree’s leaves and bark may also be good to know.

Find out the rate of growth of the tree. Some trees are fast growing but do not have long lives. Such trees can be used in combination with slow growing trees that live long. The fast growing tree can, therefore, provide the necessary shade while the slow growing tree is still being established. By the time the fast growing tree dies, the slow grower would have reached its maturity and can take over the shading task.

Janssen does provide good information for choosing the right tree for shade in residential and commercial horticultural areas in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough.