The Best Shade And Privacy Trees To Plant In Ann Arbor, MI

Posted on July 15, 2023

With Summer in full swing, let’s talk about shade.

When clients ask us about planting trees, two popular requests are:

“We would like to add some shade.”

And

“We would like to add some privacy.”

Trees are a great natural solution for adding shade and privacy. Our tree experts compiled their favorite trees for the Ann Arbor area. Check out the trees below and let us know which ones are your favorite.

The Best Trees For Shade

Maple Trees Turn Bright Reds and Oranges In The Fall – Image Credit

Maple Trees

Maple trees are fantastic for extra shade, providing you with an ideal spot to lounge in the summer months. Maple trees are known for their vibrant foliage and excellent shade.

A Beautiful Mature Oak Tree – Image Credit

Oak Trees

Oaks are sturdy trees with a long lifespan. They are known for their strength and longevity. They provide excellent shade and can grow to be quite large. They have a huge root structure, so they do need space to grow. It is also a really hardy tree that can weather big storms.

Elm Trees Make Great Street Trees – Image Credit

Elm Trees

Elm trees provide excellent shade and protection for structures. They are wind resistant, hardy, and suited to cold climates.

The Redbud Puts On A Show In The Spring – Image Credit

Redbud Trees

Redbuds are medium-sized trees that have stunning pink or purple flowers in spring. The canopy of redbuds makes them a great shade tree and a refuge on a hot day.

Yellow Leaves On This Locust Tree In The Fall – Image Credit

Locust Trees

This is a fast-growing tree that features fragrant white flowers and can serve as a shade tree or a windbreak. Locust leaves turn a bright yellow in the fall before they lose their leaves.

Linden Trees Showing Off Their Shade Abilities – Image Credit

Linden Trees

Linden trees are known for their attractive heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers. Linden trees are excellent shade providers. If you have a large landscape with plenty of room for medium-to-large tree, consider planting a Linden.

Sycamore Trees Can Be A Show Stopper On Your Property – Image Credit

Sycamore Trees

Sycamores are great street trees as they can handle road salt and pollution. The Sycamore provides excellent shade with its dense and broad canopy. This tree is an ideal choice to be a focal point on your property.

The Best Trees For Privacy

Birch Trees Can Add An Iconic Look To Your Property – Image Credit

Birch Trees

Birch trees are known for their attractive bark and graceful appearance. Whether you plant several together to provide privacy and screening in a backyard or you opt for a single statement tree, birch trees are great for making a visual statement.

The Fast Growing Cedar Creates A Large Screen For Privacy – Image Credit

Cedar Trees

Cedars can be a great choice for privacy because they grow very fast and have leaves all year. They also require less maintenance than some other trees and shrubs

Spruce Trees Are Green Year Round – Image Credit

Spruce Trees

Spruce maintain their foliage year-round. Their classical conical shape helps them grow tall providing that desired privacy screen for larger homes.

Pine Trees Are An Excellent Choice For Windbreak – Image Credit

Pine Trees

Pine trees are known for their long needles and pine cones. These trees are narrow dense conical-shaped evergreen with stiff branches. Great for creating privacy.