When choosing the best shade trees for your yard the first thing to consider is the available space. The last thing you need on a 40-foot building lot is a 100-foot-tall Sugar Maple with a span of 80 feet. Another consideration is how fast the trees will grow. If your goal is to create summer shade on your rear deck, you don’t want to wait 10 years before you can enjoy it. Selecting fast growing trees such as the Red Maple, Weeping Willow, or a Hybrid Poplar is your best bet. Check out our top choices of shade trees for small or large yards. Read more