We are of course in the dog days of summer right now, and our current
triple digit weather always reminds me what a precious commodity shade is.
If it weren’t for that old post oak in my backyard, why I might never
even venture outside… at least until the sun has sunk low on the horizon.
If you don’t happen to have an old post oak or shade tree of any sort,
there are a number of beautiful native specimens to choose from. Look
after them, water them well, and in just a few years you’ll have a nice tree
to rest under.
Ash trees have been a traditional choice for shade because they grow so
quickly. The problem is – they grow fast, and die young.. Twenty to
twenty five years is all you can expect. As they begin to fail, they become
a costly liability for removal, and can damage your roof, fences and cars.
A far better choice is one of the hard wood trees. They may grow a little
slower, but they also have an unlimited lifespan. Many are the oaks in the
region that have stood the test of time, flourishing for one hundred or two
hundred years or more.
My favorites? The Chinquapin oak, Bur oak, Red oak, Live oak, and the
Mexican White oak (Monterrey ). The first three are deciduous. (They
shed their leaves in the fall.) The last two are considered evergreen.
Although the oaks are not thought of as very fast growers, compared to
the ash for example, you can boost them dramatically with frequent, deep
watering. Expect them to grow 3 feet in height and width in the first few years.
After that they will grow even faster. A 15 or 30 gallon oak is easily capable
of reaching 15’ x 15’ in under 5 years. Now that’s a shade tree!
Remember your house will also enjoy the shade, and in turn you will enjoy
seeing much lower bills from Austin Energy.
Happy gardening everyone!
[© Chris Winslow 2010]
![ItsAboutThyme_logo[1] by you.](https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/3680390926_a47790c3da.jpg?v=0)
It's About Thyme 
