The ground under fig trees is usually cool and shady, making them popular gathering places.
Landscapers prefer broad-crowned trees for areas that need ample, even shade. They are also used to determine the status of an ecosystem by arboriculturists, who are looking for a healthy and uniform canopy cover. The crown of a tree is defined by the outer reaches of its leaves. Some trees have wide canopies specially adapted to take advantage of certain conditions, while for others it is more advantageous for the leaves to reach upwards. Many shade trees also have very dense canopies, blocking out most of the light for species that may be growing below them.
Many walnut trees, like walnut trees, have wide crowns.
Numerous trees throughout the world are known to have broad crowns. A classic example is the trees of the banyan family, a type of tropical fig. Banyan trees are unique in that they grow by colonizing and eventually strangling another tree. The largest tree in the world is estimated to be the Great Banyan at Howrah, which is preserved in the Indian Botanic Garden. Banyan trees have served as traditional gathering places in many tropical areas because the ground beneath them is relatively light and shaded.
Other trees that generally have wide canopies include oaks, which also grow very densely, providing shaded areas at their bases. Many maple species also have wide, tall-growing canopies, making them excellent choices for landscaping along driveways and other areas where deforestation is required. Maples also make amazing landscaping choices because of the color changes their leaves experience in the fall.
Many nut trees, such as walnuts and pecans, have broad canopies, although they tend to be lower to the ground and are less suitable for areas where clearance under the tree is valued. Also, they can get dirty as they lose their nuts and leaves. The fantastic looking baobab tree found in Africa also has a wide crown and its strange appearance is quite distinctive. Baobabs, like many others with wide canopies, provide valuable habitat for the animals that live below them, which might otherwise be exposed to inclement weather.
Members of the poplar and ash families also tend to have broad crowns, and the characteristic rustle of their leaves can be quite pleasing. Several trees in the poplar family also flourish and, like maples, change color with the seasons. Care must be taken when planting poplars because they have strong and destructive root systems. Therefore, they should not be located too close to houses, swimming pools and the like.