Alright, let’s talk about them trees, the ones that give you some good shade down here in Southern California. You know, the sun, it can be a real pain, especially in the summer. Beats down on ya somethin’ fierce. So, a good shade tree, that’s like finding a cool drink on a hot day.
The Best Shade Trees, Ya Hear?
Now, I ain’t no fancy tree expert, but I know a thing or two about what keeps you cool. Some folks, they like them oak trees. Big and strong, they are. Give ya shade for years and years, they do. But they grow slow, like molasses in January. Takes a while to get a good size on ’em.
Then there’s them maple trees. Pretty leaves in the fall, all red and orange. But I ain’t too concerned about pretty leaves. I want shade! And maples, they give ya good shade, that’s for sure. Not as strong as the oaks, maybe, but they grow a bit faster.
We got elm trees too. Used to be a lot more of ’em around, before that disease got to ’em. But they’re still good shade trees if you can find one. Grow pretty tall and wide, they do.
- And don’t forget them birch trees. Pretty white bark, they got. Kinda delicate lookin’, but they can give ya some decent shade.
- Sycamore trees, them’s another good choice. Big leaves, they got. Like giant hands reachin’ out to shade ya. Grow pretty fast too.
Now, if you got the space, and I mean a LOT of space, you can plant a redwood tree. Them things get HUGE! Taller than any house you ever seen. Shade for days, they give ya. But they need a lot of water, and they ain’t for everyone’s backyard.
Black walnut trees, them’s another one. Good shade, and they give ya nuts too! But the nuts, they can be a mess, and they stain everything. So, you gotta be careful where you plant them.
Fast Growin’ Trees, for When You’re in a Hurry
Now, if you’re like me and don’t wanna wait a hundred years for a shade tree, there’s some faster growing ones. That weeping willow, it grows like a weed! Adds ten feet a year, they say. But it ain’t the strongest tree, and the branches can break easy in a storm. But if you need shade quick, it’ll do the trick.
Some Other Trees Worth Mentionin’
Folks ’round here also like them magnolia trees. Big, fancy flowers they got. And the leaves, they’re thick and shiny. Give ya pretty good shade too. But them flowers, they make a mess when they fall.
And there’s this white mulberry tree. Grows good here in Southern California, north or south, they say. Heard it gives good shade too, but I ain’t had much experience with it myself.
Pickin’ the Right Tree for Your Place
So, when you’re pickin’ a shade tree, you gotta think about what you need. How much space you got? How fast you want it to grow? How much shade you need? And don’t forget, them trees need water too. Especially in this here Southern California sunshine. You gotta water ’em good, or they won’t last long. And make sure you plant it in a spot where it ain’t gonna mess with the power lines or the sewer pipes. That can be a real headache, ya know?
Keepin’ Your Trees Healthy
Now, once you got your tree planted, you gotta take care of it. Water it regular, especially when it’s young. And give it some fertilizer now and then. And keep an eye out for bugs and diseases. A healthy tree will give you shade for years to come.
Well, that’s about all I know about shade trees. Hope it helps ya keep cool this summer. Remember, a good shade tree is like a good friend, always there for ya when you need it.
Southern California’s weather is good, but it does get hot. So you should make sure you got a good shade tree so you can enjoy it outside.
Tags: [shade trees, southern california, oak, maple, elm, birch, sycamore, redwood, black walnut, weeping willow, magnolia, white mulberry, fast growing trees, tree care]
