Size matters!

The size of the shade trees that is. A tree canopy can be a blessing in the summer but a curse in the winter. In order to be effective you need a fast growing variety to get some shade pronto but it needs to be far enough from the house not to damage the foundation as it grows and not to damage the house if it comes down in a storm. You also want the leaves to drop in winter when you want the sun to help warm the house. This means raking leaves if not for you for a teenager with a need for a little spending cabbage.