DISCUSSION: Where do you find shade on a hot summer day?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John Snell on June 20, 2012 at 8:21pm

Several summers ago I made this thermal image while at VTC of sun on a sidewalk (orange = 105F), the sun on green grass (light blue = 81F) and grass under the shade of a large tree (dark blue = 67F). Sorry I don't remember what air temperatures were but probably 85 or so. This is a simple example. In urban environments the contrast can be much, much greater.

Enjoy some shade tomorrow and let's all promise to do something—anything really—to create more or maintain what we have.

John Snell

Permalink Reply by Danielle Fitzko on June 21, 2012 at 4:30pm

This is a great image John. It really tells the story. I was driving by a highschool the other day and all the students were outside. While they had a large green space to hang out on, most were enjoying the shade under the two tree that were on opposite end of the green. I wish I had a camera at that moment.

Permalink Reply by Susan Lovering on June 25, 2012 at 12:38pm

  Hemlocks have to be my messiest, high cleanup tree, (well, next to black walnut by far) but they're such a joy in the summer! They trap that moisture and it's at least 10 degrees cooler under their canopy. They even look cooler. Wish I could lounge there all summer...

Permalink Reply by Danielle Fitzko on June 29, 2012 at 6:47am

Kate and Caitlin, U&CF Program staff, hanging out in and enjoying some shade to work on our new street tree inventory program. More information on this program will be coming out soon.