suggestion for shade tree zone 6

[5Leepy!]

I vote for grapefruit tree.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Quote:
You'd be surprised how high a grape vine will travel! My mom had hers grow about 9 feet up and branch out from there. If you think that's an option, go for it! It will take a couple of years for it to start to grow like that, but it will eventually do it. Once the roots really get happy, the vines will take off. I've only seen the Elderberry shrubs around here- but there's no reason why you can't do that either. We've really gotten into planting fruit trees too, but they may not be the best shade tree when they start out. I want to plant pecans next. I am working on starting my own little mini orchard (just for me). I've got several acres to work with, and all of it open prairie- lots of room to grow. So FUN to plant trees that will produce later down the road.

If you are survivalist type, you'd love my neighbor- he's gone off the grid using solar panels. He built his house half underground and built it with cement. The back is under ground, the front is 'normal' looking. He doesn't ever have to heat or cool his place and apparently he produces enough electric to run his lights, etc. He has his own orchard, vineyard, garden, and you name it- he grows it. BUT.... he does not have chickens! ha!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I would also recommend grape vines. I agree, they do grow very fast. Mine cover the entire run right at the about the time in the spring when the chickens really start to need shade. They love to eat the leaves and the vines provide continuous forage for a large portion of the year here. Then there is also the added benefit of all the grapes (we make lots of raisins). By August, the vines are so long and dense that you can only see the doors to the run (which I have to keep clear of vines). Even when my birds free range, they choose to spend most of their time in the run during the summer. If you're considering a grape vine, contact your local county cooperative extension for suggestions on the types of grapes that will work well in your area. I was able to download a .pdf file with a great deal of useful information on choosing and growing grapes where I live. Your local nursery may also have that information. Good luck!

Here is a pic of the run in early spring and one in early summer:

 

[Hawkeye95]

omGosh! Is that just ONE vine? That is gorgeous! Wisteria will do that too! I have it on my pergola and it really branches out. I will definitely have to think about doing something like that when I get my coop/run built! I have a local nursery that recognizes me the moment I walk in- (I love their huge rose selection) but they have a large vine selection and only grow stuff that will work in our zone. Have to be careful about going to Lowes or Walmart- or where ever since they don't always bring in plants that will do well in our area.

Gallo del cielo (chicken of the sky?) Neat name.

I LOVE your run! How did you support the curved wire at the top? That is a beautiful look and the whole thing is amazingly charming! I bet your chickens are in heaven. It looks like you put your vine INside of your run? How did you get your chickens NOT to tear the grape vine apart before it had a chance to grow?

 

[ailurophile23]

Grape vines would work well - they will grow as high as your support for them. Mine are on trellises about 8 feet tall but you could easily have them grow over the chicken run for better shade. Kiwi vines might do well too - though I hear they grow TOO fast - maybe the chickens could help with the pruning?

Need to make sure kiwis are fine for chickens to eat too - I know grapes are okay. I'm in zone 6 and there are plenty of grapes and kiwis that grow here. A note on elderberries - I planted a few bushes but the deer ate them so if you have deer, I wouldn't recommend elderberry bushes. I've had no deer problems from choke berry bushes though and they grow quickly, get quite tall and form a nice thicket that, if place correctly, would provide good shade for a run or coop. Need to make sure choke berries are okay for chickens to eat but I know the wild birds love them and the bees love the blooms.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Hawkeye95, I really have to agree about being careful with what plants you buy at Lowes and Walmart--any big box store for that matter. My local HD has some types of grape vines that will never survive here and even if they did, they'd never produce fruit. In this case, it really does pay to get to know your local nursery folks! My three grape vines were planted almost three years before I built my run around them. If you get them at a nursery, you can find them with canes that are 4'+ tall--just out of chicken jumping height. You can see how I constructed the run on my BYC page.

ailurophile23, I'm very intrigued by kiwi vines. I'm definitely going to have to check them out!