The summer sun can be glorious—until your backyard feels like a furnace. The heat bakes the lawn, the air shimmers, and suddenly you’re stuck inside wishing for a cool breeze. The right shade trees can change all that, turning your yard into a leafy retreat alive with comfort, movement, and beauty. Below are some of Hewitt Garden & Design Center’s top picks for bringing shade, style, and seasonal interest to your outdoor space.

Why Shade Matters

Shade trees are more than just nature’s umbrellas. They create cooler microclimates through evapotranspiration, lowering local temperatures by as much as 40°F. That’s enough to turn “too hot to sit outside” into “perfect for iced tea on the porch.” Beyond cooling, they can:

  • Reduce your air conditioning use
  • Purify the air
  • Support pollinators and wildlife
  • Slow stormwater runoff.

Large, Fast-Growing Shade Trees

Need shade sooner rather than later? These stately growers deliver: 

  • Tulip Tree: Native to North America, it grows tall and straight, gracing your yard with tulip-shaped blooms. Thrives in deep, moist soil.
  • Willow Oak: Slender, willow-like leaves and a refined shape make this oak a standout. It grows quickly, offers abundant shade, and adapts well to varied soils.
  • Autumn Blaze Maple: A hybrid maple famous for rapid growth, strong branching, and fiery red fall foliage. Provides broad, cooling shade through the summer.

Mighty Mid-Sized Trees

If your yard can’t host a giant, these mid-sized choices still bring beauty and plenty of shade:

  • Trident Maple: Small, glossy three-lobed leaves turn brilliant shades of red and orange in autumn. Excellent for smaller spaces with a refined, rounded canopy.
  • Chinese Pistache: Drought-tolerant, hardy, and spectacular in fall, this tree’s bright red and orange foliage makes a stunning seasonal statement.
  • Chinese Fringe Tree: Clouds of fragrant white blooms in spring and dense summer foliage make this a showpiece that also provides gentle, dappled shade.

Trees Safe to Plant Near Homes 

When planting close to a house, root systems and branch spread matter. Consider these safe, home-friendly shade options: American Hornbeam, Eastern Redbud, Crepe Myrtle, Serviceberry, and Japanese Maple.

Smart Shade Planting Strategies

  • East & West Placement: Position deciduous trees to block morning and afternoon sun, reducing indoor heat gain by up to 75% through windows.
  • Targeted Cooling: Shade patios, air-conditioning units, and paved surfaces to drop temperatures and save energy.
  • Mind the Utilities: Avoid planting under power lines or too close to underground pipes.

Hewitt Garden & Design Center: Your Partner in Cool Comfort 

For nearly 30 years, Hewitt Garden & Design Center in Franklin, TN has been helping Middle Tennessee homeowners create cooler, greener yards. From quick-growing shade providers to distinctive ornamental trees, our expert team can help you choose, place, and care for the perfect additions to your landscape. 

Visit us today and start building a backyard retreat that makes summer something to savor—not escape.