milovany Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 We just finished fencing off the side of a shed for a chicken coop. But it's the south side, and we get some pretty intense sun/hot days in the summer. So I want to plant a tree on the outside of the fence, to provide some shade. Any suggestions for a fast-growing tree/bush/shrub? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Helps to know where you live. Different trees recommended for different climates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted April 4, 2011 Author Share Posted April 4, 2011 Helps to know where you live. Different trees recommended for different climates. What, you don't know the song in my location above? ;) I'm in the Pacific Northwest, but not in the overly-rainy clime -- we're two hours east of Seattle on the east side of the Cascade Mountains. So, snowy/cold winters, breezy springs, hot summers (90-100 degrees for several weeks) and crisp falls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 White pine grows quickly and may do well in your climate. Arboritae (sp?) is also fast growing. These do not provide canopy, but rather will provide shade. Some soft maples grow fast, but also aren't as nice as slow growing hard maples. Are you going to buy from a store or catalog? I would narrow down what you want, then ask some at a good garden store their opinion. They should know your climate. If they give you a tree that you never considered, research it yourself. They might just be trying to unload them on you. Buying bigger will cost more, but will get you shade faster. Bushes seem to me to grow slower than trees to produce shade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted April 4, 2011 Author Share Posted April 4, 2011 Thanks for those thoughts! I think I do want to provide some canopy because if i just do a shrub about as high as the fence, it would still be 3 in the afternoon or later before there was any shade -- and it can be pretty hot by 11 a.m. or Noon on those hot days. (At the same time, I don't want to give our cat easy access, lol -- although the chickens free-range in our yard and she doesn't bother them.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Mulberry? and then the chicks can eat the berries and you can make killer mulberry jam and bread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 Mountain Ash might also work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momling Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 We're in the PNW too. Weirdly, we built our coop underneath a young (giant) redwood tree. We figured we wouldn't be able to grow anything there and the chickens would appreciate the trees. I'm not sure I'd recommend it though... the chicken run will get smaller by the year. It's already huge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 A large tree fell on our chicken coop - so much for the shade. How about sunflowers and beans or morning glories? They'll provide shade while the tree grows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.