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The best canopy trees to create shade

The best canopy trees to create shade

The Best Canopy Trees for Shade: Creating a Cool, Comfortable Garden Retreat

A well-placed canopy tree can completely transform your garden. Whether you’re trying to reduce heat, protect shade-loving plants, or create a tranquil outdoor retreat, canopy trees are the ultimate natural solution for shade.

With their wide-spreading branches and leafy crowns, canopy trees offer cooling benefits, privacy, and beauty — all while improving biodiversity and reducing energy costs around the home.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best canopy trees for shade in Australian gardens, from fast-growing natives to classic deciduous varieties that give seasonal light control.

What Makes a Good Canopy Tree?

The best canopy trees for shade have:

  • A broad, spreading crown to block direct sunlight

  • A height of 4m+ to provide overhead cover without blocking views

  • Strong, stable growth in local soil and climate conditions

  • A non-invasive root system, especially if planting near patios, pools, or structures

Depending on your space, you may want evergreen trees for year-round shade or deciduous species that offer sun in winter and cooling in summer.

Top Canopy Trees for Shade in Australian Gardens

1. Tristaniopsis laurina ‘Luscious’ (Water Gum)

An elegant evergreen tree with dense foliage, perfect for modern streetscapes and garden shade.

  • Height: 6–8m

  • Canopy spread: 4–6m

  • Foliage: Glossy green with copper new growth

  • Bonus: Excellent in urban areas, low-litter, and wind-tolerant

2. Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)

For cooler and shaded locations, Japanese Maples offer brilliant seasonal colour and filtered light through their delicate canopy.

  • Height: 4–6m

  • Spread: 3–5m

  • Foliage: Deeply lobed leaves; green or burgundy in spring, turning fiery in autumn

  • Ideal for: Courtyards, patios, and gardens needing seasonal shade

3. Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Shademaster’ (Honey Locust)

A popular choice for light, dappled shade — perfect over lawns or seating areas.

  • Height: 10–12m

  • Spread: 6–10m

  • Foliage: Fine, fern-like leaves; soft filtered light

  • Bonus: Fast-growing and drought-tolerant once established

4. Ficus hillii ‘Flash’ (Hill’s Weeping Fig)

A dense, evergreen tree ideal for privacy and consistent shade — best used with careful pruning and away from pipes.

  • Height: 8–10m (can be maintained smaller)

  • Spread: 4–6m

  • Foliage: Bright green with bronze flushes

  • Note: Choose advanced stock and root barriers if planting in urban areas

5. Corymbia citriodora (Lemon-Scented Gum)

Tall, stately, and beautifully scented, this native eucalypt is ideal for large properties needing high shade.

  • Height: 15–20m

  • Canopy: Tall with high, open branching

  • Foliage: Pale green, lemon-scented when crushed

  • Best for: Rural or spacious suburban gardens

6. Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree)

A breathtaking feature tree that provides generous shade most of the year, followed by a striking display of red flowers when leafless.

  • Height: 10–15m

  • Spread: 5–8m

  • Foliage: Dense and lobed; deciduous before flowering

  • Spectacle: Flaming red flowers in late spring to early summer

7. Jacaranda mimosifolia

One of Australia’s most loved street trees, the Jacaranda provides wide, graceful shade and seasonal interest.

  • Height: 8–10m

  • Canopy spread: 6–8m

  • Foliage: Fern-like, semi-deciduous

  • Flowers: Purple-lavender blooms in late spring

  • Best for: Lawns, driveways, and wide garden spaces

8. Elaeocarpus eumundi (Eumundi Quandong)

A native rainforest tree that performs well as a shade tree in warm, humid climates like Brisbane or northern NSW.

  • Height: 6–10m

  • Canopy: Upright with spreading form over time

  • Foliage: Glossy green with bronze new growth

  • Bonus: Tolerates humidity, great for subtropical gardens

9. Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei (Crepe Myrtle - Tree Form)

For smaller gardens, Crepe Myrtles offer an open canopy with spectacular summer flowers and light winter shade.

  • Height: 4–6m

  • Spread: 3–5m

  • Foliage: Deciduous, with stunning autumn colour

  • Flowers: Pink, white, mauve or red in summer

  • Great for: Courtyards, narrow areas, mixed borders

Choosing the Right Tree for Your Space

When selecting a canopy tree, consider:

  • Available space (both height and spread)

  • Proximity to structures or paving

  • Sunlight needs of nearby plants

  • Maintenance and leaf drop

  • Root invasiveness (avoid near pipes or foundations)

If you’re unsure, opt for non-invasive, medium-height trees (4–6m) with a manageable canopy spread, or speak with a garden consultant who can recommend a tree suited to your exact location and climate.

Final Thoughts

Canopy trees do more than just provide shade — they anchor your garden, enhance property value, create microclimates, and encourage biodiversity. Whether you want an evergreen umbrella for a backyard retreat or a deciduous shade provider that shifts with the seasons, there’s a perfect canopy tree to suit your landscape.

Browse our full collection of shade-providing trees online — with advanced sizes available for instant impact, nationwide delivery, and our 30-day healthy plant guarantee.

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