The heat in southwestern New Mexico has been relentless. Folks are looking for good ways to cool down. Laying down underneath the refrigerated air conditioner sipping on a cold drink is one way to do it. However with the recent electric rate hike many people are re-thinking their "Cool Down Methods".
One good long term method to keep cooler is to provide shade to that portion of your home that needs it. Shade trees are inexpensive and with proper positioning of the tree can actually lower that electrical bill way down.
Following are some excellent trees that can do the job.
Chinese Pistache: Does extremely well in the southwest it is usually pest free and very drought tolerant. This shade tree is a great choice for many southwestern landscapers. It turns a rich red color during the fall and provides great shade. it has an umbrella-like canopy and can grow up to 50ft tall. The young Chinese Pistache looks somewhat gangly and out of place, but when it reaches maturity it is beautiful shade tree.
Weeping Willow Tree(Salix babylonica) Extremely fast growing tree. This is the tree to purchase if you need fast now. Long narrow type leaves that droop down which gives it that "weeping effect". It is deciduous and will turn a goldish yellow in the fall.
Live Oak Tree Does extremely well in the southwest it provides plenty of shade and can be trimmed to almost any shape. This shade tree is a great choice for many southwestern landscapers. It is a evergreen tree and sheds old foliage falls during the fall and provides great shade. it has an umbrella-like canopy and is one of the fastest growing oak trees in the world. Oh by the way this tree is evergreen. There are many more great shade trees for the southwest.
Modesto Ash Tree(Fraxinus velutina) Moderate to fast growing tree. It is deciduous and the leaves turn a bright golden yellow in the fall. They can grow about 50ft tall and 50-60ft wide. Excellent shade tree for medium sized backyard.
Visit http://www.guzmansgreenhouse.com/shade-trees.htm for more information.
Thanks from Paul Guzman
Southwestern Greenhouse Gardening. Learn what you need to know about gardening in the Southwest.
Shade trees and windbreaks as well as other forms of energy conserving landscaping have interested me for years. I may have to put something on my new blog called Common Sense Agriculture, Conservation and Energy about it.
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