Jul 11, 2020

One of the perks of having trees nearby is that social-distancing rules dont apply you can hug as many as you like without risk of contracting Covid-19. Another benefit, of course, is shade. When the heats on and you need to lie low for a while, its great if some of your friends are shady characters. Especially if theyre tall, mature types with solid builds. Yeah, trees are cool.

Air temperature is up to 10 degrees cooler in the shade of a large deciduous tree. Photo: pxfuel

When the thermometer spikes, any shade is welcome. If youre lucky enough to have large trees where you live, not only can you get a break from the sun, but the air temperature will be cooler as much as ten degrees compared to out in the open. Its an awesome, natural, and free kind of air conditioning.

Deciduous shade trees on the south and west sides of a house can cut air conditioning costs by 30-50 percent in summer and let sunlight through in winter. Photo: National Park Service

On those blistering summer days when you think its too hot to work outside, youre not alone trees share your outlook. Photosynthesis, that amazing process which turns carbon dioxide and sunlight into sugar (thereby keeping the trees alive) and oxygen (thereby helping keep us alive), does not work well above 85 degrees. All that solar energy going to waste! Incidentally, leaves can get too hot in full sun even when the air temperature is moderate, much like the way an asphalt parking lot gets scorching in the sun.

Hopefully youre drinking plenty of water in the summer heat. It might surprise you that trees can run short of water, especially in hot, dry seasons like 2016, 2018, and this year. While we tend to think tree roots dive deep in search of a cool drink, 90% of tree roots are in the top 10 inches of soil, and 98% are in the top 18 inches.

While many shady characters dont take well to a soaking, your tree will appreciate a thorough weekly drench. Forget the lawn it can fend for itself. Please remember your trees, and water them thoroughly if it hasnt rained in more than a week.

I wish you all a healthy, well-hydrated summer, and lots of hugs with your shady associates.

Paul Hetzler is a Certified Arborist and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension educator.

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Keeping on the shady side of life - North Country Public Radio