Abstract
Five species of ornamental trees were examined with an Eppley pyranometer for interception of total solar radiation between 380 nm and 1100 nm. Measurements were made at the northern dripline and expressed as percentage of shade. Trees were selected for varying forms, branch, and canopy densities. Mean percentage of shade for the fully foliaged and leafless canopies, respectively, were Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ 75% and 43%, Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ 69% and 25%, Zelkova serrata ‘Village Green’ 61% and 24%, Gymnocladus dioicus 60% and 15%, Gleditsia triacanthos inermis ‘Moraine’ 56% and 21%. No statistically significant (PSO.05) correlation was observed among solar radiation intercepted and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intercepted, pathlength, silhouette area, and canopy volume. Growth habit did not affect shading capacities significantly.