what canadian tree grows best in shade?

Answer 1

Depends on many factors. Hardiness Zone, desired size, desired look, etc. Here are a couple that are cold hardy. Too little information to really give much of a list.

For something smaller: Amelanchier alnifolia - Saskatoon Serviceberry
Zone 2, 10' high x10' wide, edible fruit in fall.

Medium size: Betula occidentalis fonontinalis - Western Red Birch
Zone 3, 30' high x 12'-20' wide, beautiful cinnamon bark, yellow-orange fall color

Answer 2

The Spruces tolerate a little shade. The Canadian Hemlock tolerates much more. Many conifers do not do well in shady conditions, however.
Many understory trees grow naturally in the shade of hardwoods, like Flowering Dogwood (Cornus), Redbud (Cercis), Silverbell (Halesia), Snowbells (Styrax), Witchhazel (Hamamelis) and Stewartia. Only a few members of each of these genera will tolerate the cold in much of Canada, so check with the locals in the know before you order or buy.
One other pretty ornamental that tolerates shade is the Japanese Maple; again, not cold-hardy in much of Canada.
Fortunately, the warmer the climate gets in Canada, the more people live there. I hope you live where some of these will work.

Answer 3

Canadian hemlock is beautiful. check it out on the web for yourself , makes a great hedge or tree form. grows fast too.

Answer 4

Depends upon your soil and your temperate zone.

For Central Ontario, Hemlock grows well in acidic soil, Maple (red) is excellent for neutral soils.

Answer 5

Anything coniferous.