Editing Shade tree (section)

{{Short description|Tree grown specifically for its shade}}

{{Distinguish|List of tree species by shade tolerance}}
[[File:Starr_080531-4730_Ficus_microcarpa.jpg|250px|thumb|A group of [[Laysan albatross]]es resting beneath the canopy of a [[Ficus|fig]], a common shade tree in many parts of the world.]]
A '''shade tree''' is a large tree whose primary role is to provide shade in the surrounding environment due to its spreading [[canopy (forest)|canopy]] and [[crown (botany)|crown]], where it may give shelter from [[sunlight]] in the heat of the summer for people who seek recreational needs in [[urban parks]] and house [[Front yard|yard]]s, and thus, also protecting them from the sun's harmful UV rays.

[[File:Ahorn bluehend2.JPG|thumb|right|Native across [[Europe]] and into Western Asia, the [[Acer platanoides|Norway maple]] shade tree, where it has since become naturalised.]]
Some of the most popular shade trees in [[temperate countries]] are [[oak]]s, [[Platanaceae|plane trees]], [[willow]]s, [[birch]]es, [[beech]]es, [[maple]]s, [[ash (tree)|ashes]], [[Tilia|lindens]], and [[elm]]s. In subtropical countries like Australia and India, [[Ficus|figs]] are popular choices as shade trees.<ref>[https://www.specialitytrees.com.au/trees/categories/shade-tree-a5tx6 Shade Tree]</ref> In [[tropical countries]], trees such as some ''[[Erythrina]]'' and [[African tulip tree]] species are often planted as shade trees.<ref>[http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1756 AgroForestryTree Database - Species information] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130113150200/http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1756 |date=2013-01-13 }}</ref>