Summer: hot. Shade: good. Ramadas, awnings and parasols will shield us from the sun - but nothing beats a tree as a source of soothing shade.
Tucson, by its very desert nature, is not a big-tree town. Tucsonans, by our very human nature, have made up for this arboreal shortcoming by planting thousands of trees capable of creating wondrous shade on sun-seared days.
Today - in celebration of sylvan shade - we offer a short list of some sites with favorite sun-blocking trees.
UA CAMPUS
The entire main campus of the University of Arizona is designated as an arboretum - and many of the trees offer sweet, shady refuge.
Among them is a towering Aleppo pine that provides natural beauty and welcome shade on the west side of the Old Main building.
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From North Park Avenue and East University Boulevard, walk east on a campus street leading to Old Main.
REID PARK
You'll find lots of shady spots in Reid Park, and one popular place for ducking out of the sun is under a leafy giant at the base of the park's Barnum Hill.
Take East 22nd Street east of South Country Club Road to Lake Shore Lane and follow the lane north to Barnum Hill.
KENNEDY PARK
Sometimes even a scant patch of shade can make a big difference on a hot desert day.
So it was at Kennedy Park Lake one day recently, where a small lakeside tree produced just enough shade to shield a lone fisherman from intense sunshine.
Take West Ajo Way, past South Mission Road, to South La Cholla Boulevard. Go north 0.2 of a mile on La Cholla to the park entrance.
ART MUSEUM PLAZA
An enormous mesquite tree — with a graceful trunk and a grand canopy of leaves — adds its own touch of artful beauty to the plaza at the Tucson Museum of Art.
The tree shades a beautiful bench that beckons art patrons and casual passers-by: Sit a spell. Bask in deep shade.
The museum is at 140 N. Main Ave.
AGUA CALIENTE PARK
Sara Cornell found a perfect place to hone her sketching and painting skills — a pool of palm-tree shade at Roy P. Drachman-Agua Caliente Regional Park.
Trees cast cool shadows at many sites in the park. Cornell’s spot on the banks of a lagoon was shaded by a trio of sheltering palms.
Take East Tanque Verde Road to North Soldier Trail. Drive north on Soldier Trail to East Roger Road and follow Roger east to the park.
Contact reporter Doug Kreutz at dkreutz@azstarnet.com or at 573-4192.
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