Trees with an umbrella-shaped crown provide the most natural shade for the garden. These five are perfect and can also be cut to shape.
There is no question that sunlight is good for the soul, but at over 30 degrees it can quickly become too much of a good thing. In order to be able to enjoy the beautiful weather after work, every garden needs at least one place in the shade. The trade offers plenty of shady options, but your shady spot will look particularly natural with the help of certain trees.
Trees as natural shade providers
A garden without trees looks a bit forlorn because trees give structure to the entire area. In addition to the optical effect, there is another advantage, because trees donate oxygen. So every tree planted helps keep our air cleaner. These arguments alone speak in favor of using a tree as a shade provider. However, it must be clear to everyone that a tree needs a certain amount of time before the crown is dense enough to hardly let the sun's rays through.
» Umbrella Crown Trees
Not every tree is suitable for providing shade, you should consider this before buying and planting. The best and most effective are trees whose crown grows umbrella-shaped or can be cut. The following tree species and varieties are all ideal for this and are available from specialist dealers such as baumschule-horstmann.de.
Plane (Platanus × acerifolia)
The maple-leaved plane tree, also popularly known as the plane tree, is a fast-growing tree that can, however, reach a height of up to 30 meters. This size should definitely be noted before buying. With its high-arched, spreading crown and broad leaves, the maple-leaved plane tree offers plenty of shade after a short time. In older roof plane trees, the branches of the crown slope far down, creating a "real" umbrella.
Silk tree / sleeping tree (Albizia julibrissin)
The silk tree, sleeping tree or silk acacia is not only a tree with an umbrella-like crown, it is also an absolute eye-catcher in the garden with its many pink flowers. The Albiziajulibrissin can be planted all year round, but the best time is after the ice saints in spring. The crown is flatly arched but expansive. The silk tree can grow up to 6 meters high, with annual growth of around 20 to 40 cm.
Globe trumpet tree (Catalpa bignonioides 'Nana')
The older the ball trumpet tree (Catalpa bignonioides 'Nana') gets, the wider its crown becomes. This umbrella-shaped tree is therefore a perfect shade provider in the garden. With a maximum height of 3 meters, the Catalpa bignonioides is also well suited for smaller gardens. If the crown becomes too sprawling for you, the branches can easily be cut back - the best time for this is late winter.
Umbrella pear (Amelanchier lamarckii)
As a young plant, the copper rock pear is rather slender. But if you show patience, you will be rewarded over the years with a spreading crown in the shape of an umbrella. In addition to the shading effect, the copper pear is also a small miracle of color. In April, the Amelanchier lamarckii scores with many white flowers, in autumn the large shrub enchants the garden with its yellow to orange foliage.
Black Elder (Sambucus Nigra)
The older ones among you might also know the black elderberry as the elder bush, today it is also often called the lilac bush. The Sambucus Nigra is a fast-growing shrub or small tree (about 50 to 70 cm per year) that can grow up to 3 meters high. Initially, the trunk and crown are still quite thin, but over time a dense crown forms that can be cut into any shape you like. In summer, the black elder offers enough shade for a cozy seating area, in autumn it delights with its typical dark violet fruits, the lilac berries.