What Is a Quick Shade Tree in Southwest Florida?

Trees provide shade from the sun.

A shade tree blocks unwanted sun and also brings privacy to your landscape. A number of shade trees will grow quickly in Southwest Florida. You will need to know the soil, sun, water, cold and heat requirements for each tree you plant.

Growing Considerations

One of the most important considerations in choosing a shade tree for Southwest Florida is your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. The zones range in Southwest Florida from 9a through 10b, so trees must be able to withstand temperatures that reach 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit during cold months.

Eucalyptus Tree

A quick-growing shade tree that will thrive in Southwest Florida is the eucalyptus. It can grow three to six feet per year. This evergreen tree sports gray-green leaves that have an aromatic fragrance that repels certain insects. The eucalyptus grows in zones 7 through 11.

Royal Empress

The leaves of the Royal Empress are dense in summer, shielding you from the hot sun. The tree grows about five to seven feet a year, for a maximum height of about 50 feet and width of 40 feet, offering plenty of shade. The tree thrives in zones 5 through 11.

Florida Red Maple

Red maples are commonly used in every Florida county, according the the University of Florida Extension. This deciduous tree is tolerant to cold and prefers moist soil. It is identifiable by its triple lobed leaves and red flowers and winged seeds (fruits).

References

• The United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
• Fast Growing Tree Nursery: Shade Trees
• University of Florida: Trees of West Central Florida

Resources

• Fast Growing Tree Nursery: Fastest Growing Trees