Summer brings heat and more sun that can beat down on your property, robbing your plants and grass of much-need moisture. Not all plants do well in full sun; in fact, many need shade to thrive. It also helps if the trees you plant are quite hardy in the first place so they can survive the extreme temperatures. Check out the top five hardiest trees to plant for summer shade that you don’t have to spend a lot of time maintaining.
1. Cedar Elm
This native plant needs less water than others and are better suited to the high temperatures of a Dallas summer. Native to the Gulf Coastal plains, the Cedar Elm does very well in Dallas due to the fact that it is drought-tolerant.
2. Pecan
Pecan is the state tree and is much beloved throughout Dallas. You’ll have to harvest the nuts in fall or you could up with a very messy yard. If you have a small yard, go with something else. If you have a large yard, these large trees will do well because they don’t want to be crowded. You don’t want to pack too many pecan trees into one area, as the shade from the touching branches will inhibit growth.
3. Live Oak
Known for its thick, heavy trunks and twisting branches, live oaks are burned in Texas for barbecue, like pecans. Drought tolerant and conducive to summer heat, live oaks also need lots of space to grow. Just make sure to trim back live oak trees in late summer or winter to reduce the risk of oak wilt.
4. Texas Buckeye
This is a smaller tree than the live oak or pecan tree, which means it will fare better in smaller yards. It gives off pale yellow blossoms in spring, with low maintenance soil, sunlight, and water requirements. Caution: Texas Buckeye seeds are poisonous, so think twice if you have kids or pets.
5. Texas Mountain Laurel
This tree produces stunning purple blooms in early spring, but it looks more like a large shrub than a typical tree. Also known as the mescal bean, the Texas Mountain Laurel – a slow-growing tree — does well in medium sized yards. Beware of the shiny red seeds, which are also poisonous.
All of these trees are well-suited to Dallas and North Texas, although there are many more that do well in the heat of the city. It’s important to have a trusted landscaper install and maintain these beautiful trees so you can enjoy the most life out of them without any of the upkeep.
Contact Bare Roots Landscape Solutions
We would be happy to recommend the right trees for your Dallas landscape. Just contact us for a free quote at 866-616-3097 today. During our consultation, we can take a look at your landscape, determine your needs, and provide a solution.
