8 Of The Least Messy Shade Trees To Cool Down Your Yard Without The Cleanup

Trees can make the difference between a scalding hot yard that's impossible to enjoy during the summer and a cool, pleasant oasis for your family to play and barbecue in. The best trees to shade your yard can be the perfect additions, but the wrong ones can create yard clutter and leaf litter and force you to spend more time cleaning your yard than enjoying it. While no tree is truly "mess free," some certainly create more cleanup than others.

When looking for a tree that won't require too much cleanup, you should consider multiple factors. These include whether it drops leaves — and if so, what size those leaves are. Which (if any) seeds or fruits the tree drops could also be something to think about. Additionally, while some trees like lindens might seem like good options, they often attract aphids which create a sticky mess that drops onto everything below them. 

Luckily, there are plenty of trees, including holly and hemlock varieties, that can shade your yard without too much clutter. With a bit of research, you're sure to find one that's perfect for your space. The ones we're reading about below are the ideal place to get started.

If you're looking for a large tree that can cast a significant shadow, look no further than the American elm (Ulmus americana). Reaching heights of up to 80 feet, this giant drops relatively small leaves, making for easy autumn cleanup. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, American elm trees are beneficial for a range of native pollinators, often serving as host plants. Be sure to opt for a disease-resistant cultivar like 'Delaware #2' or 'Valley Forge'. 

If you don't want to deal with any dropped leaves, then an evergreen like an American holly tree (Ilex opaca) could be worth considering. With a size of 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide, American hollies are perfect for adding a unique touch to your landscape. They thrive in full to part sun and are hardy in zones 5 through 9. If you want to enjoy holly berries, be sure to plant both a male and female tree — though if it's just the shade you're after, one tree is plenty.

If you're looking for a tidy tree and love the smell of cinnamon and sugar, then look no further than the katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum). Hardy in zones 4 through 8, these trees grow to about 60 feet tall and 50 feet wide. While they can't handle alkaline soils, beautiful katsura trees are not overly picky about their soil's texture, able to grow in everything from clay-heavy soil to sandy soil.

If you've ever seen the seed pods that a thornless honeylocust tree (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis) can make, you might be surprised to see them described as minimally messy. But there are seedless varieties like 'Emerald Kascade' available! The small leaves make fall cleanup surprisingly easy too. Hardy in zones 4 through 9, thornless honeylocusts grow to about 40 feet tall. They are quite fast growing as well. These rugged trees are tolerant of drought, poor soil, and wet conditions. They can even grow near black walnuts. 

With many American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) cultivars being quite columnar and narrow in habit, you'll have to think carefully about the best place to plant one if you want it to cast a significant shadow in your yard. These evergreens make great backyard trees, though, coming in a range of heights — with some reaching as large as 60 feet. Hardy in zones 3 through 7, American arborvitae need wet to moist soil to thrive and attract a wide variety of birds and other wildlife.

The unique Faber evergreen maple (Acer fabri) doesn't drop its leaves like most maples. While it does still produce seeds, you don't have any leaf cleanup to deal with as long as temperatures stay above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Hardy in zones 7 through 10, Faber evergreen maples only reach sizes of about 30 feet tall, making them an option for slightly smaller yards. A hit with pollinators, Faber evergreen maples grow well in full to part sun and well-draining soil.

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) makes a massive impact in landscapes and is hardy in zones 3 through 7. While these trees can grow to as large as 70 feet tall, they are ideal for beautifying yards with enough space. Smaller cultivars of Canadian hemlock are available as well. Because the cones are generally less than an inch long, it's only minimally messy. These evergreen beauties thrive in moist growing conditions and need acidic soil. 

While as deciduous conifers, bald cypresses (Taxodium distichum) do drop their needles in autumn, they require little to no cleanup. With a height of around 50 to 70 feet, these stunning and long-lived North American trees provide excellent shade during summer months. Hardy in zones 4 through 9, bald cypress trees thrive in moist to wet soil and are impressively sturdy and low maintenance, rarely being damaged by storms or wind.