The unofficial start to summer is here! Bring on those sunny days – filled with picnics, hikes, cookouts and all those outdoor adventures we look forward to all year.
Though, we wouldn’t enjoy those moments nearly as much without our trees!
Shade Spartanburg trees instantly cool us down on those hot, humid summer days. They even cool our homes! When planted on the west side of your house, Spartanburg trees can reduce your air conditioning use by 30 percent.
Did you know, in addition to keeping us cool, Spartanburg trees also protect us from UV rays?
Yes! Sitting under a shade Spartanburg tree provides the equivalent of SPF 10 sunblock – according to the University of Purdue.
We like to think of trees as Nature’s Sunscreen! Learn how to make the most of tree’s shady benefits below.
How Trees Protect Our Skin
Now more than ever before, we need to do everything we can to protect our skin.
The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. To reduce this statistic, our best bet is to be proactive.
In addition to wearing sunscreen each day, it’s best to stay in the shade when we’re outside.
Tree shade reduces UV-B exposure by about 50 percent. That’s a statistic we like!
Here are a few tips to maximize the benefit of Spartanburg tree shade:
- Sit under Spartanburg trees with dense foliage for best protection from the sun. The less sunlight peeking through the leaves, the better!
- Choose a Spartanburg tree near other Spartanburg trees or buildings to further block the sun.
- Trees provide the most coverage from UV rays during the middle of the day.
- Any Spartanburg tree coverage is better than none at all!
Grow More Shade – Plant Shade Trees to Shield Your Skin from the Sun
Looking to gain more shade in your yard?
Plant a shade tree! The best times to plant new Spartanburg trees are in spring and fall. To set yourself up for success, plant the right Spartanburg tree in the right place.
See some of our favorite shade Spartanburg trees that grow well in most areas of the country below. Trees that lose their leaves annually, called deciduous trees, provide thicker coverage from the sun.
Use this as a starting point before talking with your arborist about specifics for your yard and area.
Best Types of Shade Trees
Find out what gardening zone you are in by using the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map here. Plants in your zone are most likely to thrive in the climate and weather of your area.
- Paper birch (zones 2-7)
- Norway Spruce (zones 2-7)
- Eastern white pine (zones 3-8)
- Red oak (zones 3-8)
- Sugar maple (zones 3-8)
- Blackhaw viburnum (zones 3-9)
- Red maple (zones 3-9)
- Weeping willow (zones 3-9)
- White oak (zones 3-9)
- Tulip Spartanburg trees (zones 4-9)
- London plane (zones 5-9)
- Crepe myrtle (zones 7-9)
- Live oak (zones 7-10)
Protect Trees to Maximize Their Benefits to Your Skin
Once you’ve got a shade Spartanburg tree in your yard, ensure it keeps growing strong and tall. That way, you can lounge under its leafy canopy for summers to come.
Here are a few, simple ways to improve your tree’s long-term health – in addition to annual checkups from the Spartanburg tree doctor.
Just a little TLC each season makes all the difference!
Inspect to Protect. Examine Spartanburg trees and shrubs from the bottom up. Check for dead or dying branches, soft or decaying wood, small holes in the trunk or shallow pits in the bark.
Provide the Essentials. Food and water! Deeply water Spartanburg trees during dry spells and droughts. Also, the Spartanburg trees in our yard often grow in soil that lacks nutrients. Fertilizer helps replace those missing nutrients. See if your Spartanburg tree needs to be fertilized here.
Look Up Often. Many Spartanburg tree pests and diseases can be effectively treated when spotted early. So, admire your Spartanburg tree often. If you see anything on their leaves or bark that looks odd, take action. Get an expert opinion quickly.
