Re: Favorite Shade Tree

Since you asked, any oak tree used to be my favorite tree, but then I discovered there are so many other trees that provide shade.  When I lived in Foresthill we had Arbutus menzeisii, Pacific madrone trees, growing on our property.  We had a huge madrone in our side yard and the former homeowners built a treehouse within its branches but not attached (which I thought was very considerate of them for the tree's sake).  The madrone quickly became another favorite tree of mine since it has much to offer at every season:  a broadleaf evergreen which looks good in winter when other trees have lost their leaves, the madrone trees often grow multi-trunked with branches curving upward rather than growing with a central leader, there are drooping white flowers in spring and orange/red berries in fall and winter and peeling orange bark which is quite spectacular throughout the year.  I wish I could find a source for one of these trees in a 5 gallon size, even a Texas or Arizona variety would do.
 
Southern magnolia is another broadleaf evergreen I came to appreciate when we lived in the South.  We had one growing in our yard in Arkansas and the fragrance of the blossoms permeated the air in the summer.  I finally realized why so many people profess to love the magnolia.
 
A tree I have always wanted to grow is the Crataegus, or hawthorne.  In fact, I just purchased one today to plant in my yard.  A neighbor years ago had a Hawthorne growing in his yard and it grew into a perfectly symmetrical shape and provided dense shade, had an unusual leaf shape, pink flowers in spring, berries in fall and good fall color.
 
Another tree I consider as a favorite, although I have never grown it, is the crabapple.  I have fond memories of crabapple trees growing in Maryland where we lived when I was a child.  I can recall masses of pink flowers covering the trees in spring.  I also remember climbing the crabapple trees and picking and eating the tart fruit in the fall.
 
There are probably other favorite shade trees, but these are the ones that stand out at this time.
 
Linda Starr
Springville Gardens
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