4 Fantastic Shade Trees for Northern Virginia Yards

If your landscaping is a little bare, you want to line your drive, or you want to plant some great shade trees to cool you off for summers to come while also adding depth and beauty to your landscaping, AllGreen Landscape Co. recommends the following Northern Virginia shade trees that work well in our climate.

1. Red Maples and Sugar Maples

These big, hardy trees are a favorite in the fall, but they also produce grand shade in the summer. Of course, you love seeing their fiery reddish orange foliage come autumn, which is one of the big draws of this tree. They need to be spaced about 30 feet away from each other, simply because they can grow so big. If you have a long driveway or lots of space in the backyard, consider these beauties.

2. Jefferson Elm

If you’ve got a lot of space and love towering, leafy trees, consider the Jefferson Elm. They need about 30-40 feet between each tree, but they are grand, green and adapted well to the Northern Virginia region. It’s a hybrid species that has been bred in the past few decades to resist the dreaded Dutch Elm disease that killed off so many giant elms over the past few decades. They are able to resist pests and disease than their predecessors, and grow to about 70 feet tall and have a wide, generous reach that can cast shade over a wide area.

3. Weeping Willows

If you have a low, wet spot in your yard that is also fairly large, you might well plant one of these gorgeous trees. They like water (which is why you often see them near ponds and lakes), so if you have a drainage issue somewhere, a weeping willow might help. They grow fast and large, so make sure you have plenty of space.

4. Trident Maple

We’ve talked about big trees, but for those of you with smaller yards, a trident maple is a gorgeous addition that turns yellow first, then red in the fall. They grow to about 30 feet tall, with a similar overhead span of densely packed leaves that produce fantastic shade in the summer. Just make sure not to put them within 20 feet of pavement so their roots don’t break it.

AllGreen Landscape Co. can also suggest many other beautiful shade trees, shrubs and plants that will add color, pop and beauty to your yard while also being environmentally wonderful for your Northern Virginia home. Just call us at (703) 992-8787 to discuss your needs.