When summer arrives in Wisconsin, most of us appreciate a shady spot.

Whether it’s a bench beneath a tree, a woodland path, or a quiet garden retreat, shade offers relief from the heat. But the benefits of trees go far beyond comfort.

Trees are some of the hardest-working members of our landscape. They cool the air, protect plants, conserve water, support wildlife, and improve the health of our communities. In many ways, they help create the conditions that allow entire ecosystems to thrive.

At Green Bay Botanical Garden, these connections are a central part of Woodland Wonders presented by Selner Tree & Shrub Care, where guests are invited to explore the many ways trees shape the world around us.

Trees Are Nature’s Air Conditioners

One of the most immediate benefits of trees is their ability to cool the environment.

Tree canopies intercept sunlight before it reaches the ground, reducing heat buildup on sidewalks, roads, buildings, and garden beds. The shade they create can make a noticeable difference on a warm summer day.

Think about the last time you stepped from a sunny parking lot into a wooded area. The temperature shift is often immediate.

Trees also cool the air through a process called transpiration, releasing water vapor from their leaves. Together, shade and transpiration help moderate temperatures in both gardens and communities.

Cooler Gardens, Healthier Plants

Plants feel the effects of shade, too.

Beneath trees, soil temperatures remain more stable and moisture is retained longer. This creates conditions that many woodland plants prefer.

Native species such as:

• Ferns
• Woodland phlox
• Wild ginger
• Pennsylvania sedge

They’ve adapted to thrive beneath a canopy where filtered light and cooler conditions support steady growth.

In a woodland ecosystem, trees don’t simply occupy space above the garden, they help create the environment that allows other plants to flourish below.

Shade Helps Conserve Water

Wisconsin gardeners know that summer weather can be unpredictable. Periods of heavy rain are often followed by stretches of dry conditions and even drought.

Shade helps reduce moisture loss by slowing evaporation from the soil surface. This means plants often require less supplemental watering, especially when paired with mulch or living groundcovers.

By creating cooler growing conditions, trees help landscapes become more resilient during periods of drought and heat.

Trees Support Pollinators & Wildlife

Many people think of flowers when they think of pollinators, but trees play an important role as well.

Trees provide:

• Early-season pollen and nectar
• Nesting habitat for insects
• Shelter for birds
• Food sources throughout the growing season

The diversity of conditions created by shade and sunlight allows more species to coexist. This layered habitat supports everything from native bees to songbirds.

Benefits Beyond the Garden

The value of shade extends beyond individual landscapes.

Across communities, trees help:

• Reduce the urban heat island effect
• Improve air quality
• Slow stormwater runoff
• Create more comfortable outdoor spaces

As temperatures continue to rise in many regions, trees are increasingly recognized as part of the solution for building healthier, more resilient communities.

Planting and caring for trees today create benefits that can last for generations.

Experience the Power of Shade Through Woodland Wonders

Throughout Woodland Wonders, guests are invited to experience the many ways trees influence the landscape.

As you explore the exhibit, notice how the canopy changes the feel of a space. Pay attention to the cooler temperatures beneath trees, the shifting patterns of light on pathways, and the layers of plants growing below.

What may seem like simple shade is actually a complex system supporting plants, wildlife, and people like you.

Woodland Wonders offers a chance to see these connections in action — and to gain a deeper appreciation for the role trees play in our everyday lives.

They cool our gardens. Support wildlife. Conserve water. Improve our communities.

And on a warm summer day, they remind us that one of nature’s most powerful tools can be as simple as a patch of shade.