Summer Shade Trees for the Garden

Trees come in all shapes and sizes and can be grown in gardens to keep the hot Australian sun at bay during summer, but they don’t have to be towering giants. There are many small to medium-sized trees that offer both shade and beauty to the garden.

From common choices like crepe myrtle and its varieties to the tall and graceful silver birch and the beautiful Aussie native red flowering gum, there’s a perfect tree to watch over every garden patch.

Grow a shade tree to help reduce the effects of heat and glare, keep the house cool and reduce the temperature in the garden. Trees are long lived so allow room for a new planting to grow up and out. When planting, take note of overhead wires as well as proximity to boundaries and the roofs of both the house and any outbuildings.

For those who want to speed up the tree growing process, advanced trees are available but note these are expensive and may require a landscaper to plant the tree. When planting a shade tree to shade a space or the house, it needs to be planted on the northern or western side.

Choosing the best tree for your garden

While any tree can provide shade, growing the perfect tree for summer shade in your garden starts with finding the right one to suit the location. Below are a few points to consider before selecting and planting your tree, but for great advice, check with the horticulturist at your local hardware or garden centre for tree varieties that are suitable for your location.

• Size Check the mature height and width (or spread) before purchasing a tree. Although trees are small in pots, trees can reach a huge size. If your green space is a balcony, small townhouse garden or courtyard and your garden is in pots or small garden beds, plant a dwarf tree variety.
• Area around the tree Review the area around the site where you intend to plant. Check how its growth may affect neighbours, powerlines, drainage and the house footings. Plant trees so their mature width is at least 3m from a building and don’t plant a tree over underground services or under overhead wires.
• Deciduous or evergreen If you want shade all year round choose an evergreen tree. For summer shade but winter sun grow a deciduous tree (one that loses its leaves in autumn and winter).
• Aspect and condition Always plant a tree that suits your climate. Many deciduous trees, such as maples, will not put on a beautiful autumn foliage display unless they receive cold nights in autumn. In contrast, subtropical trees such as poinciana will not bloom and can be damaged by frost if they are grown in cool climates.
• Tree maintenance Do you have the time to maintain your tree once it is planted? As with all new plantings, trees need watering, staking and feeding. Some may need pruning to develop their spreading shape. Trees that are too large for their surroundings may also require ongoing pruning by a tree surgeon.

Small Trees

A small tree, including various dwarf varieties, is ideal for small garden beds, courtyards or even to grow in a large container on a balcony or deck. Small trees are generally considered to be those that grow up to approximately 5m tall. Some can be pruned to fit their location. Select a tree that matches your climatic conditions and select a named variety or trees grafted onto dwarf rootstock to ensure trees are small. Small trees can be planted safely within 3m of the house to shade windows.

Small deciduous trees

Deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter to allow winter sunlight to shine through their branches but are leafy from spring to autumn to block out excess sun. Winter deciduous trees are mainly grown in cool and temperate areas.

• Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) This small spreading tree is much loved for its beautiful autumn foliage colours of yellow, red, maroon and green to burgundy spring foliage. Named varieties vary in height but are around 3-5m high and wide. Dwarf varieties can be grown in large containers. Best in cool to temperate climates.
• Weeping cherry (Prunus pendula) There are many named varieties of these delightful small weeping trees up to 4m high with many grafted as weeping standards with a 1.5m-2m trunk. Cherries produce an early spring display of white or pink flowers before green leaves appear. All small flowering prunus are an excellent choice for small gardens and courtyards in a cool climate.
• Red bud (Cercis Chinensis)  A delightful tree with lilac pink flowers in spring before the dark green heart-shaped leaves appear. Foliage turns yellow to brown in autumn. ‘Avondale’ is a variety that grows 3-4m high and 2m wide. It is best grown in a cool to temperate climate.
• Star magnolia (Magnolia Stellata) Large clouds of striking white flowers bloom in early spring before the leaves emerge, making this compact magnolia a popular choice. It can grow to a height and width of approximately 4 metres. The foliage is deep green in spring, turning to yellow and golden hues in autumn, providing another beautiful display.
• Forest pansy (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’) Admire this tree for its heart-shaped leaves that change colour throughout the year. A great feature tree (5m x 5m), it boasts deep red leaves in spring, that turn green in summer and then golden-yellow in autumn. Its branches have smooth, dark brown wood and produce lavender pink, pea-shaped flowers before the new leaves emerge in spring.

Small evergreen trees

Select an evergreen tree for year-round foliage and seasonal flowers. They are ideal to shade a window or side of the house from summer sun and heat. When planting in a large container it will require more maintenance such as watering in summer and pruning in the cooler months to keep it looking good.

• Lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) In cultivation, this 8m rainforest tree can be kept to around 4m. It is an attractive, native shade tree with dark green leaves with a strong lemon scent that can be used in cooking. The fluffy white to pale yellow summer flowers attract beneficial bees and insects.
• Blueberry ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatis “Green Dream”) This small cultivar of the tall rainforest tree, blueberry ash. It has fine, glossy green foliage and dainty white fringed flowers through spring and summer, followed by bright blue, shiny fruit to attract birds making it a tree for all seasons.
• Dwarf bay (Laurus nobilis ‘Baby Bay’) For those that want a bay tree but only have a limited space, try the dwarf version ‘Baby Bay’ that grows to around 3 metres high. With an upright shape, it can be pruned to suit your garden style and space. Small yellow flowers and dark green aromatic leaves for use in recipes make it a versatile small tree.
• Camellias (Camellia spp.) Although thought of as flowering shrubs for hedges or winter flowers, camellias can be pruned into small trees by removing the lower branches and pruning to lighten the canopy. The most popular to train as small trees are sasanqua camellias, which bloom from late summer to autumn and are suited to sun or shade. Japonica camellias, which bloom from winter to spring, can also be grown as trees.
• Acacia cognata ‘Lime Magik’  This native feature tree can reach up to 10m high and 2-3m wide if left unpruned. To enjoy it as a shade tree, under prune to remove lower branches. It can be pruned as an informal screening plant to 4m high. Its graceful willow form and vibrant lime-green foliage with soft cream-yellow flowers in spring make it an eye-catching addition as well as a useful shade tree.

Medium to Tall Trees

For the larger suburban block, there should be room to grow a 5-10m tree. Before planting, check the locations of powerlines, drains etc and the proximity of neighbours and other buildings. To cast shade over the house or outdoor seating area, plant the tree on the northern or western side.

Medium to tall deciduous trees

There are many options, so select a tree that suits your local conditions (check out what’s growing in the neighbourhood). Here are a few suggestions to inspire.

• Silver birch (Betula pendula) On the tallish side of a tree at up to 10m at maturity. Plant a grove for a small birch forest. This tree grows in cool temperate climates and is best admired for its white trunk and medium green weeping foliage. Best in a cool climate with reliable moisture.
• Crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica and its hybrids) There are many named varieties (including the Indian Summer series) making it easy to select a tree that suits the height and spread as well as the flower colour you want. Trees vary from 6-8m at maturity to dwarf forms just 3m high. They are grown for their pastel crepe-like flowers from late spring to autumn in colours of bright pink, pale pink, mauve, red and white. The trees also have yellow autumn leaf colour and attractive bark. Some varieties have dark foliage. Suitable for a temperate to subtropical climate.
• Crabapple (Malus floribunda) A medium to tall, spreading tree up to 6mx6m or taller at maturity although there are named more compact varieties. Much loved for its clusters of white and pink spring flowers it has yellow autumn leaves and edible fruit, known as crabs, which are used to make crabapple jelly or for pectin. Suitable for a cool to temperate climate.
• Ornamental pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Capital’) Also known as callery pear, it is selected for its upright, columnar growth as a feature tree or to line a driveway. Growing to 10m high and 3m wide, it has white spring blossom and vibrant orange to red autumn foliage. It is best grown in a cool to temperate climate.
• Frangipani (Plumeria rubra) This tropical to subtropical tree (5-8m high) has clusters of colourful and scented flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, red or orange during the warmer months and long dark green leaves. After leaf drop in autumn, the grey succulent stems are a feature through winter. It will grow in temperate climates with frost protection.

Medium to tall evergreen trees

These trees add colour year-round with their foliage and seasonal flowers.

• Evergreen magnolia (Magnolia grandifolia ‘Little Gem’) This is a narrow form of a much-loved tall, spreading tree often seen in large gardens or parks. It has dark green leaves with brown undersides and huge, white, cupped flowers with a lemony fragrance in summer and for much of the year. It grows up to 6m high. Other compact varieties include ‘Teddy Bear’ and ‘Kay Parris’.
• Red flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia) If you enjoy the vibrant colour of the red flowering eucalyptus but lack the space for a large tree, consider this variety. It is suitable for home gardens or street planting. In summer, it produces a brilliant, dense canopy of red flowers and features rough, no-shedding bark, making it an ideal shade tree that grows to around 5-6m high and 3-4m wide. Suits cool to subtropical climates.
• Weeping myall (Acacia pendular) This wattle is a beautiful native shade tree with graceful drooping branches of silver-grey foliage. Growing to around 8m high and 3-5m wide, it is ideal as a specimen tree for a garden with yellow ball-shaped flowers in late winter to early spring. Suited to temperate to subtropical and inland areas.
• Forest she-oak (Allocasuarina torulosa) This tree is fast-growing and ideal for screening or as a windbreak. For a shade tree, plant a grove or prune the lower branches. It has corky bark and drooping needle leaves that reach 8m high by 3-5m wide. Note: It has an invasive root system, so avoid planting near drains or close to the house.
• Evergreen or flowering Ash (Fraxinus griffithii) This fast-growing, attractive tree grows to around 6-8m tall with a rounded head. It has green shiny leaves and clusters of white flowers followed by winged white seeds. This tree is suited to a warm temperate climate. In cooler climates, it may become semi-deciduous.

Large Trees

Large trees offer beautiful shaded areas for enjoying summer with family and friends, but they require ample space as they can exceed 15 meters in height. They may block sunlight from other plants and homes, interfere with power lines, and affect foundations and drainage.

If you have a huge garden or acreage, consider planting a few trees. Otherwise, enjoy them in local parks or botanic gardens.

Deciduous large trees

Deciduous trees offer summer shade and let sunlight in during winter. They display beautiful autumn foliage before shedding their leaves, revealing the striking bark beneath.

Here are a few options to consider.

• Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ The Canadian red maple variety is known for its heat tolerance and ease of growing, offering much need shade during the warmer months. Reaching heights of up to 15 metres at maturity, this tree is known for its glossy green leaves that turn vibrant, deep red and violet in autumn.
• London plane tree (Platanus x acerifolia) Reaching a height of up to 14 metres at maturity, the London plane tree is a majestic tree for urban plantings in large gardens, parks or as a street tree. It’s a highly resilient tree with patterned bark and green maple-like leaves that turn yellow to brown in autumn. As it matures, the branches spread out, making it a great shade tree.
• Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) Gardeners using the tulip tree as a shade tree will certainly have an attractive view to admire as they rest under its boughs in a large garden or park. A magnificent tree reaching up to 13 metres, it has a lovely shape and smooth, soft texture, with striking orange-yellowish flowers resembling tulips, hence its name.
• Jacaranda mimosifolia For a touch of beautiful foliage and colour to any landscape, you can’t go past a Jacaranda tree. Known for its iconic vibrant purple-blue blooms in late spring to summer. This feature tree with its fern-like foliage, will grow to around 10 metres at maturity. It is often seen in park and street plantings or large gardens.
• Cimmaron ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica ‘Cimmzam’) This feature tree of Green Ash has good green summer shade foliage, followed by an array of striking autumn foliage from yellows to fierce red and rich burgundy. A robust, low-maintenance tree for larger gardens, parks and street plantings.

Evergreen large trees

Evergreen trees showcase their foliage all year round, providing shade in warmer tropic and subtropical areas and colourful foliage to a bleak winter garden. Depending on garden space, consider one of these varieties.

• Red-flowering yellow gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon rosea) Use it as a light shade tree or to bring native birds such as lorikeets into the garden. This red flowering gum will reach a height of 12 to 15 metres, depending on its location. This tree forms an open large canopy with a cream to grey bark that sheds to reveal a smooth trunk. 
• Blackwood wattle (Acacia melanoxylon) A native tree to Victoria and Tasmania, it is a hardy shade tree reaching heights of up to 15 metres at maturity depending on its location. Producing clusters of pale yellow flowers from late winter to early spring and dark brown bark it adds colour to the garden as well as local bird life. Watch out for borers on damaged wood.
• Queensland box brush (Lophostemon confertus) A fast-growing Aussie native to a height of 15 metres at maturity. This tree is ideal for summer shade as it develops dense foliage and a dome-like shape. Beautiful salmon-coloured bark sheds in summer and small white flowers with a fluffy appearance make it ideal for a large garden or park.
• Silky oak (Grevillea robusta) This tree will vary in height from 10 to 30 metres depending on its environment, but it can quickly adapt. A fast-growing tree known for its impressive golden-orange flowers in spring, that appear to glow. Use it as a shade tree with its elegant appearance of feathery, fern-like foliage. Please note that the tree can be an issue for people with sensitive skin.
• Weeping lilly pilly (Waterhousea floribunda) Reaching up to 30 metres in its natural environment, it will reach smaller heights in urban areas. Ideal for larger properties or parks, it has a dense canopy of weeping long green glossy leaves that turn red before dropping. Added to this is its stunning summer flower display of fluffy white flowers.