Shade trees vs. ornamental trees
Shade trees grow large and are long-lived, providing more and more shade as they age. Oak, Cottonwood, Elm, Ash, Silver maple, Hackberry and American Linden (Basswood) are the primary shade trees in our area.
Ornamental trees are smaller, shorter lived, and are used merely as an accent in the yard. Flowering Crab are the most common. Mountain Ash, Birch, Red Leaf Chokecherry also favored as an ornamental tree. The Hard Sugar Maple acts more as an ornamental than a shade tree in our area.
Shade trees should outlive those who plant them
Shade trees are passed from generation to generation. They occupy an honored place in the yard. In such important matters as leaving a legacy, you don’t want to plant an odd, semi-hardy tree as an experiment. A tree that dies fifteen years down the road is worse than no tree at all. Choose trees which are certain to outlive you, and put them in a location where they will be allowed to outlive you. Catalpa, Honeylocust, Black Walnut, Gingko are not hardy enough to grow into large shade trees in our area.
Ornamental trees are for fun
It is good to separate in one’s mind the trees which one wants to last forever from the trees which one merely wishes to enjoy for as long as they thrive. A catalpa is not hardy enough to count on as a shade tree, but some may wish to experiment with it in an odd corner of the yard due to its oversized leaves and odd seed pods. |
