5 Trees That Grow Well In the Shade
Very few species of trees can manage in shady environments. However, there are some that will adjust to these conditions quite well. The darker the shade, the more challenging it is for any tree to grow correctly. Here are five of the most adaptable trees that grow in the shade.
1) Concolor Fir
This graceful, tall evergreen tree is an attractive addition to any landscape. Concolor fir (Abies concolor) has a pyramidal shape and can reach up to 80 feet tall with a spread of 15-25 feet. Its needles are long and soft with a silvery-blue hue. The cones are a light brown color, and they hang down from the branches in pairs.
This beautiful tree does best when grown in moist, well-drained soils in an area with light shade. Its dense foliage provides excellent privacy and wind protection, making it an ideal choice for windbreaks and screens
2) The Red Buckeye
Red Buckeye, aka Aesculus pavia, is a deciduous shrub that typically grows 6-12 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. It has attractive, glossy leaves that are divided into five leaflets, each of which can be up to 4 inches in length. As it matures, the shrub produces large clusters of bright red flowers, which bloom in early to mid-spring. Red buckeye grows well in light to medium shade.
3) Black Alder
The Black Alder, or Alnus Glutinosa, is a large deciduous shrub or small tree with a rounded crown. It has a dark, furrowed bark, and its leaves are oval-shaped, dark green, and glossy. Its catkins are long and pendulous, and its fruit is a small nut. This lovely tree is tolerant of a wide range of soils and is particularly happy in moist, heavy soils.
Black alder can reach heights of 30 feet. It grows fast and prefers light to moderate shade. With its attractive shape and foliage, it is an ornamental plant and makes an excellent addition to any landscape. It is also a good choice for wet areas, such as near ponds or streams.
4) Allegheny Service Berry
The Allegheny serviceberry is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that can reach heights of up to 15 feet. It has a rounded crown with glossy, dark green leaves that are oval in shape and turn yellow, orange, and purple in the fall. Its white spring flowers give way to sweet, edible, dark blue-purple berries in the summer.
This tree grows in the shade, even in the heaviest of shady spaces. You can grow it in moist, well-drained soil and use it in areas where erosion control is needed. Additionally, it is a popular choice for wildlife habitats. Its berries are an important source of food for birds and other animals.
5) Pawpaw
The Pawpaw tree, aka Asimina triloba, is also a deciduous tree. It is native to the United States and Canada. It is one of the best trees that grows in the shade. It can reach heights of up to 25 feet and has large, light green leaves. Its bark is gray and scaly, and its fruits are oval-shaped and yellowish-brown when ripe. The fruits have a sweet, custardy flavor, and people call them “the banana of the north.”
Pawpaw is a hardy tree that can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. It grows well in light or heavy shade. A low-maintenance tree, the pawpaw does not require pruning or fertilizing and is relatively resistant to pests and diseases.
The flowers of the Pawpaw tree are yellow-green and small and bloom in the spring. The flowers have a sweet, fruity fragrance and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The tree’s fruits are edible so you can use them to make jams, jellies, and other desserts.
Can you name any other trees that grow well in the shade? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Tweet us @AustinTreeServ. As always we hope you enjoyed this article and look forward to bringing you more tree news you can use in the coming weeks and months.
