Our Favorite Shade Trees for Nebraska Landscapes
Choosing the right shade tree can transform your yard by providing cooling relief in summer, vibrant seasonal color, and long-lasting beauty. But not all trees are created equal, especially in the Midwest, where soil conditions, temperature swings, and stormy weather demand tough, adaptable varieties.
To help you plant wisely and diversify your landscape, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite shade trees. These standouts offer more than just good looks—they’re resilient, environmentally beneficial, and perfect for creating a cooler, more comfortable outdoor space.
Here are our top picks!
🌳 Chinkapin Oak
A highly underused native oak that’s perfectly suited to Midwest conditions. It thrives in high pH soils, is drought tolerant, and grows into a pyramidal to rounded shape. Reaching 50–70 feet in about 30 years, it offers yellow-brown fall color and often retains its leaves through winter.
🌳 Ginkgo ‘Autumn Gold’
Known for its striking golden-yellow fall color, this male cultivar has a narrow form that broadens with age. It grows 40–60 feet tall at a medium rate. Fun fact: Ginkgos are prehistoric trees—true survivors!
🌳 Linden ‘American Sentry’
A vase-shaped, hardy cultivar of the native American Basswood. It features a straight trunk and uniform canopy, is more resistant to Japanese beetles than European varieties, and has a medium to fast growth rate. Fragrant spring flowers attract pollinators and mark the arrival of summer. Linden trees are cherished by honeybees and are the source of one of the world’s oldest and most revered types of honey. In ancient Greece, the Linden was called “The Tree of Life.”
🌳 Bur Oak
The classic tree of the prairie. Known for its massive size, gnarled branches, and deeply furrowed bark, Bur Oaks reach 50–80 feet tall and 40–60 feet wide. They thrive in alkaline soils and grow at a medium rate.
🌳 Northern Catalpa
A bold, rugged tree that tolerates heat and drought exceptionally well. Growing 50–80 feet tall, it features large, heart-shaped leaves and a yellow-green fall color. A true native of the central U.S.
🌳 Elm (Improved Hybrids)
Fast-growing and tough, these trees boast dark green, glossy leaves and a sturdy, symmetrical shape. ‘New Horizon’ and ‘Frontier’ are two of our favorites—both are more resistant to Japanese beetles and have strong branching structure.
🌳 Honey Locust ‘Skyline’
This tree has small, fine leaves for easy fall cleanup and allows grass to grow beneath it. It’s highly tolerant of heat, drought, poor soil, and pollution—ideal for urban areas and parking lots. Upright, spreading shape with yellow fall color. Reaches 40–60 feet tall and is beginning to be overplanted, but still a great option for tough sites.
🌳 Northern Red Oak
A strong Midwest native with a broad pyramidal to oval form and sturdy structure—ideal for the Great Plains’ storms. Closely related to Pin Oak, but more tolerant of dry, alkaline soils. Grows 50–70 feet tall and turns brilliant red to crimson in fall. Not well-suited for parking lots but excellent in residential yards.
🌳 Swamp White Oak
A beautiful native tree with dark green, glossy leaves and rough, furrowed bark. It adapts well to both dry and wet or poorly drained soils. Pyramidal when young with a strong central leader. Grows 40–60 feet tall with a dense canopy—an excellent shade provider.
🌳 Kentucky Coffeetree ‘Espresso’
A seedless, drought-tolerant native that thrives in high pH and poor soils. ‘Espresso’ has coarse, irregular branches that may look awkward in youth but mature into a beautiful form. Grows well in urban settings, including parking lots. Minimal insect or disease issues. Yellow fall color and nearly maintenance-free.
If you’re looking to add shade and beauty to your yard, consider branching out from the usual Autumn Blaze Maple. By planting a diverse mix of hardy, adaptable trees, we can help protect our landscapes for generations to come.
Whether you’re drawn to vibrant fall color, need a tree that stands strong in Midwest storms, or want to support local pollinators and wildlife, the right shade tree can transform your outdoor space for years to come. Choosing a diverse mix of well-adapted species not only enhances the beauty and function of your yard—it also helps build a healthier, more resilient urban forest for future generations.
Visit our nursery to explore a wide selection of high-quality shade trees and find the perfect fit for your landscape. We’re open for retail Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM, and Saturdays from 8 AM to 12 PM. Our team is here to help you select the right tree for your soil, space, and goals