“The summer night is like a perfection of thought.” — Wallace Stevens. 

“It’s a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do.” — Walter Winchell. 

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” — John Lubbock.

Tree selection and placement are very critical points in landscaping. A very common mistake made is “planting the right tree but in the wrong place” or “the wrong tree in the right place.” In planting, a good rule to follow is to plant your tree at least half its mature height from any building, walkway, or established boundary as you determine specific shade needs. Trees should be properly placed to avoid conflicts with power lines, streets, drives, sidewalks and buildings.

The following native shade trees are steadfast and somewhat easy to grow in the southern environment. However, be sure you have the space to accommodate your choice.

American holly (Ilex opaca) is native to the southeast and provides greenery all year, supported with red berries during the fall and winter. It grows to 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide. It prefers part shade to full sun and will tolerate many soil types.

American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is native to the southeast. The mottled bark pattern is the signature of this tree, supported by its overall size and large leaves. It can reach heights of 90-100 feet tall with 3-8 feet diameter trunks. It thrives in bottom-land or low lying soils.

Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is native to eastern coastal North America and along waterways into eastern Texas and southern Illinois. Its fine, short needles emerge in early spring with a bright lime green color. The bald cypress can withstand waterlogged soils, thus developing a bolstered trunk that is flared at the base. It produces knees (distinctive above ground structures) in the vicinity of root growth around the tree. They will grow 50 to 70 feet in height and 20 to 30 feet wide. The dropping of the needles in the fall can be a nuisance. It prefers moist soil conditions in part shade to full sun.

Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) or tupelo is native from southern Maine to central Florida and west to Michigan and eastern Texas. The black gum tree produces flowers that attract honeybees, thus tupelo honey is a favorite among honey connoisseurs. It is among the first trees to change color in fall season, displaying glowing yellow to red-orange hues before dropping their leaves. Black gum grows 30 to50 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide and tolerates wet soils thus making it a great choice for swampy sites with poor drainage. It prefers part shade to full sun.

Carolina basswood (Tilia americana var. caroliniana) is native from South Carolina to Florida and west to Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri. It provides very dense shade under a full canopy and its early-summer flowers offer aromatic and medicinal values. Its erect and upright form reaches 60 to 80 feet tall and 20 to 40 feet wide. It tolerates most soil conditions, but prefers moist, well-drained sites in full sun.

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is native to the southeast. Its early spring flowers attract the bees and grows to about 35 feet tall. Its heart-shaped leaves emerge as reddish in color and changing to green as the leaves mature. Seeds are produced in pea-shaped pods. Its strength and endurance through time is questioned by some who have planted it in their landscapes.

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) is native throughout the eastern coastal plain from southern New Jersey to central Florida. It is a dependable, fast-growing evergreen with drought and wind tolerance, reaching 60 to 90 feet in height and 30 to 40 feet wide. Plant these pines in groups for best effects, including privacy and shade. Loblolly pine likes sandy, well-drained soils in full sun with a low to medium water requirement.

Pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis) is native from Alabama to Texas and north to Ohio and southeast Kansas. It is a valuable cash crop because of the edible nuts produced. Establish this deciduous tree as a young plant since the taproot makes this species difficult to transplant as it grows older. It reaches 70 to 100 feet tall and 40 to 75 feet wide with medium water requirements and full sun. Its known more for its economical value rather than curb appeal in the landscape.

Southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) is native to coastal areas of the southeastern U.S. from Virginia to the Florida keys to coastal Texas. It is the majestic evergreen tree that lines streets and embodies parks in cities and towns across the south. It may take a hundred years or so for them to reach their mature height of 40 to 80 feet tall and 60 to 100 feet wide. Thus, planting one today provides enjoyment to future generations. Mature trees have a minimum water requirement and prefer full sunlight.

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is native to the southeastern United States from the Carolinas, Georgia to central Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi to eastern coastal Texas. This large broadleaf evergreen tree reaches 60 to 80 feet tall and 30 to 50 feet wide and produces large, fragrant flowers beginning in May. Also, their large, thick waxy green leaves with reddish-umber undersides make a desirable holiday wreath or tablescape setting. It has medium water needs and prefers full sun to grow to its maximum size.

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is native from southern Connecticut to Florida and eastern Texas. Its star-shaped leaves turn deep scarlet in the fall season before dropping to the ground. Beware of the spiny capsules that drop and litter the ground. The sweetgum grows to 60 to 75 feet tall and 40 to 50 feet wide, preferring moist soils in full sun.

In memoriam to our little ones (Malteses) who have gone on across the rainbow bridge and await our arrival — Marcus Lee Beowulf Seagle (2004-2019) and Graci Lee Baby Seagle (2006-2021). We miss y’all and love you so very much. 

“Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.” — Proverbs 10:6. 

“For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be protected forever…” — Psalm 37:28. 

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33.

Seagle is a Sustainability Verifier, Golf Environment Organization (Scotland), Agronomist and Horticulturalist, CSI: Seagle (Consulting Services International) LLC, Professor Emeritus and Honorary Alumnus (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College), Distinguished Professor for Teaching and Learning (University System of Georgia) and Short Term Missionary (Heritage Church, Moultrie). Direct inquiries to csi_seagle @yahoo.com.