Best economical shade trees to plant near a home in Kerala, India:

1. Indian Almond (Terminalia catappa) Fast-growing, wide canopy, beautiful layered horizontal branches. Deciduous in Kerala’s dry season, so you get sunlight in winter. Bonus: Leaves have medicinal uses, and the nuts are edible.

2. Neem (Azadirachta indica) Hardy, pest-repellent, medicinal, and provides good shade. Less lush-looking than others and may thin out in extreme drought. Bonus: Leaves and bark are naturally antibacterial.

3. Rain Tree (Samanea saman) Rapid-growing with a massive canopy—perfect for sitting or playing under. Widely used in parks and schoolyards. Needs space and should be planted away from the house due to wide roots.

4. Indian Beech / Pongam (Millettia pinnata / Pongamia pinnata) Shade-giving, low-maintenance, and soil-improving thanks to nitrogen fixation. Bonus: Seeds are rich in oil, traditionally used in lamps and now in biofuel.

5. Jackfruit Tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Excellent shade and yields large, edible fruit. Can be too large and heavy for close proximity to windows or footpaths. Best planted a bit farther from the house.

Bonus: Coconut Palm Very common and useful. Provides filtered shade rather than dense cover. Can be dangerous near homes due to falling coconuts—best at the edge of a yard.

Top Recommendation for Quick, Wide Shade: Rain Tree – Fast growth, huge umbrella canopy, great for kids to play under. Just give it space from buildings.