Maples Come in All Sizes

• Maples are quintessential shade trees. They tower over the landscape, arms spread wide. In the fall, a maple tree gives a beautiful display of reds and oranges. For those with small yards, the maple is still an option. Certain maples, such as the Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) and the Shaggy-Barked Maple (Acer triflorum), reach heights of about 25 feet and spreads of 20 to 25 feet. These smaller maples do well in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness zones 4 through 7.
  
  

Ornamental Trees

• Ornamental trees are available in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, and often from far-off places. Many of these make excellent shade trees and beautiful additions to the landscape because of their dense foliage. The Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac (Syringa reticulata 'Ivory Silk') is a compact tree with attractive flowers often seen growing in urban landscaping. This tree does well in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 through 7.
  
  

Consider a Native Tree

• Native trees come in various sizes and shapes, and a few make exceptional shade trees in small spaces. The Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture Hardiness zones 4 to 8. It is a twisting tree with purple flowers and large, heart-shaped leaves. The height is 20 to 25 feet with a spread of 15 to 20 feet. Another popular native tree is the Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia), a tree with a layered nature, white flowers and small fruits that attract birds. The Pagoda Dogwood prefers USDA zones 3 through 7 and reaches a height and width of 15 to 25 feet.
  
  

Coniferous Options for Year-Round Green

• Some homeowners don't consider coniferous trees as options when selecting shade trees. Though many of these evergreens grow upwards of 100 feet, a few species stay less than 25 feet. Consider Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata), Moonglow Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) or Sekkan Sugi Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), as they remain less than 25 feet tall but spread about 10 feet. Their dense green leaves provide abundant shadows, or the lower branches can be trimmed for a more traditional shade-tree form.