Optimize Your Patio Comfort: Plant Trees to Beat the Heat

Sunshine is a wonderful thing! Unfortunately, I can’t take very much of it without sunburn. That’s one of the reasons why I always consider the amount of sunlight reaching the terrace area when designing patios or decks for my clients. Oftentimes it’s a great solution to have several places to sit and enjoy the views of your garden. However, we might have one main outdoor living area, and we got to make the best of it.

There are many options to create shade, from garden structures to shade sails, but it’s hard to beat plants in the long run as a solution for this problem. Planting broadleaf trees that offer shade is a game-changer for creating a refreshing and enjoyable space.

Comfortable Retreat

Your outdoor living area is meant to be used as the name says: for living, entertaining, and enjoying life.

There is this one condition: your patio or deck area got to feel pleasurable and tempting to spend time on. If there are any inconveniences like intense sunlight during the midday that makes you have a headache, feel exhausted, or fill you with worry about sunburn, you’ll be inside sooner than you know.

However, you can make your terrace area comfortable and inviting by strategically placing a broadleaf tree to offer much-needed shade from the blazing sun during the hottest hour of the day. I especially recommend broadleaf trees if your patio or deck is beside the house, as they don’t block sunlight during winter.

Having a pleasant dappled shade enables you to spend more time outdoors, Iounging with a good book or entertaining guests without the discomfort of excessive direct sunlight during the summer months. You will spend more time outdoors, and your shaded outdoor living area becomes a haven of relaxation and enjoyment, enhancing your overall quality of life.

Stay Cool on Hot Summer Days

In addition to blocking the direct midday sunlight, trees have a remarkable ability to act as natural air conditioners through a process called evapotranspiration. It’s the same process you might have heard when it’s explained about planting more trees to cool the cities. Have you noticed how much more refreshing it feels to be surrounded by vegetation on a hot summer day than walking on the streets in the city with no sight of any green?

Trees are beneficial for your outdoor living area as the shade that trees provide reduces the ambient temperature around them. In addition to that, as water evaporates from their leaves, it creates a cooling effect around them. This natural cooling effect helps your outdoor space to remain more comfortable than a space with only hard surfaces, even on scorching summer days.

Adding vegetation to your yard instead of hard surfaces reduces the heat and makes the outdoor space more pleasant to spend time on.

Protective Canopy against the Harmful UV Rays

We know that gardening and spending time outdoors is rejuvenating, but excessive sun exposure can also pose risks to your health. I used to spend time on the front porch on the northern side of our house before the cherry tree’s canopy grew to give protecting shade over the dining table on the southern side. Now the shadow of the narrow canopies of Swedish Columnar Aspens (Populus tremula ’Erecta’) reach the patio area during the midday and gives refreshing dappled shade over the sun lounger that’s the best place to enjoy the views of the garden.

Trees create an excellent natural protective canopy that shields you and your loved ones from harmful UV rays. This canopy acts as a barrier, reducing direct exposure to the sun. By incorporating trees to shadow your patio during midday, you minimize the risk of sunburn, skin damage, and other related health issues caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays. Planting trees to offer shade for parts of your garden where children spend much time is especially important.

With trees providing shade and UV protection, you can spend more time outdoors, even during the peak hours of sunlight. Whether you're hosting a barbecue, playing games, or simply enjoying quality time with family and friends, the presence of shade-giving trees ensures that your outdoor space remains comfortable and enjoyable throughout the day.

Time to take action

Now it’s your turn! As we understand the incredible benefits of planting trees near our outdoor living area, it's time to take action and create a naturally shaded oasis that protects you from the intense midday sunlight. Start by assessing your space, envisioning the perfect spot, and selecting broadleaf tree species that thrive in your climate. So grab your sketchbook, and let your imagination run wild. Your dream garden is within reach!

Not sure where to place a tree in your garden? If you need any help placing and integrating it within the existing layout, you can find ways how I could help you >>HERE<<.

In the next post, we'll explore how trees can enhance your outdoor experience by bringing a touch of natural beauty that enhances the aesthetic appeal of your backyard and creates a lush green backdrop to attract wildlife and captivate seasonal displays.

 You might also like to read the following posts:

 Plant a Tree to Enhance Your Backyard's Appeal

 6 Pro Tips To Consider When Planting a Tree Near Your House