Shade Trees
Shade trees are one of the best long-term investments you can make in a Colorado landscape. The right tree provides cooling relief from summer heat, protects your home and yard, and thrives despite our sun, wind, and dry conditions. Choosing species that handle Colorado’s climate is key to getting lasting shade without constant problems.
Why We Recommend Them
Shade trees are one of the best long-term investments you can make in a Colorado landscape. The right tree provides cooling relief from summer heat, protects your home and yard, and thrives despite our sun, wind, and dry conditions. Choosing species that handle Colorado’s climate is key to getting lasting shade without constant problems.
We recommend shade trees because the right species thrive in Colorado’s sun and climate while delivering real benefits—cooler yards, reduced heat around the home, and long-term value. When properly selected and placed, shade trees provide decades of reliable performance without becoming high-maintenance problems.
Shade Trees we recommend
- 01
Elm Trees
Ulmus5 profiled
Elm trees are classic shade trees known for their tall form, graceful canopy, and dependable performance in Colorado landscapes. Modern elm varieties offer strong resistance to disease while providing broad shade, fast growth, and long-term durability for streets, yards, and open spaces.
- 02
Maple Trees
Acer15 profiled
Maple trees are popular shade trees known for their balanced form, reliable growth, and standout fall color. When the right varieties are selected for Colorado conditions, maples provide dependable shade, seasonal interest, and long-term value in residential and commercial landscapes.
- 03
Oak Trees
Quercus4 profiled
Oak trees are long-lived shade trees known for their strength, broad canopies, and lasting presence in the landscape. When the right species is chosen for Colorado conditions, oaks provide dependable shade, seasonal interest, and long-term value with proper placement and care.
Individual species
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Autumn Purple Ash
Autumn Purple Ash is a fast-growing shade tree valued for its strong structure, dense canopy, and deep purple-red fall color. Well-suited to Colorado landscapes, it handles heat, sun, and urban conditions while providing reliable shade and bold seasonal color with manageable maintenance. This is the only Ash Tree we recommend for Colorado climates.
- 05
Plains Cottonwood
Populus deltoides ssp. moniliferaPlains Cottonwood is a large native shade tree valued for its rapid growth, broad canopy, and ability to thrive along Colorado’s waterways and open landscapes. It provides substantial shade and wind protection, making it best suited for larger properties where its size and root system have room to develop.
26 shade trees profiled in The Root.
When you want a professional opinion
The Root exists to help you understand your landscape. When a tree needs hands-on evaluation, a Great Western arborist can look at it in person.