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There are all types and shapes of trees to select from. This tendency of different trees to assume a particular shape makes some kinds especially suitable for certain purposes in an outdoor living room. Tall column-like trees like the Lombardy Poplar spread only a few feet. A group of two or three of them will provide a ribbon of shadow that may be all that is needed to shade a few comfortable chairs. A row of these trees will take little space and will screen out a high building. A single tree will screen out an unsightly pole or provide a vertical accent at some important point. A pair of them will frame a view or accent a feature or entrance.
The Elm's vase-like shape and high branching habit make it desirable where foliage is needed high in the air. Elms are useful to frame the house on that side of the outdoor living room. Plants grow very well under them as the sun gets in under their foliage most of the day.
Low spreading trees give a dense shade and frequently kill the grass and other plants beneath. An Apple tree can be made to branch almost from the ground by heading it low. A Norway Maple has a tendency to hug the ground and looks better if it can be allowed to do so, but usually there is little room allowable for this. Although a low spreading tree, paved underneath, can provide a most delightful retreat on a hot summer afternoon. In most outdoor living rooms, there is space for planting the smaller growing trees, especially about the boundary where they can be worked into and become part of the wall of green. The Flowering Crabs, Cherries, Plums, Russian Olive, Red Bud, Flowering Dogwood and Mountain Ash are excellent examples. And it is interesting to note that most of these have beautiful flowers and fruits that are of decided ornamental value.
As a rule, it is not advisable to set out many specimen trees in the lawn area of the outdoor living room. To do so will result in a spotty effect. The whole scheme will tie together if most of the trees are confined to the planting beds that surround the outdoor room.
Some trees can be grouped for artistic effects while others are best planted singly and allowed to assume their natural shape. Trees such as Bechtel's Flowering Crab, Horsechestnut, Mountain Ash , Norway Maple and others which evince strong individualistic tendencies will look best if planted so as not to interfere with others. Native Flowering Crabs, Wild Cherries, Russian Olive, Wild Plum, Red Bud, Flowering Dogwood, Birches, Oaks, Honeylocust, Eucalyptus, and Hawthorns seem to have a natural affinity for members of their kind and make harmonious groups.
The question of fast versus slow growing trees is almost sure to arise. Many of the fast growing trees such as Carolina and other Poplars, Silver Maple or Tree of Heaven can be counted on for quick shade but after a few years they will be much less desirable in the outdoor living room picture than the more handsome slow growing types.
Fortunately, it is much easier to obtain large trees, up to six to eight inches in diameter, than it was years ago. Tree-moving machinery makes large tree transport fairly reasonable and very successful. The use of large trees saves years of waiting. The picture in your outdoor living room is made complete and enjoyable at once. This is surely the finest way to answer the shade tree problem by those who can afford it.