Shade tree
Editorially verified for the Oct 15, 2026
65 Down
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Clue explained
An elm is a deciduous tree whose broad, spreading crown can provide welcome shade. Elms are familiar sights in parks and along streets, where their leafy canopy offers shelter from the sun.
- Clue type:
- Definition
WaPo Crossword
This clue's Thursday, October 15, 2026 appearance
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The answer to “Shade tree” in the The Washington Post crossword is ELM — a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Washington Post crossword on October 15, 2026, a Thursday puzzle, at 65-Down. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.
“Shade tree” answer
ELM (3 letters)
Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is ELM.
What does ELM mean?
Reading the plain dictionary sense of ELM is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.
(noun)
- a tall deciduous tree that typically has rough serrated leaves and propagates from root suckers
When else has “Shade tree” appeared?
The Washington Post reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.
October 15, 2026 (most recent) → ELM. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the answer to “Shade tree”?
The answer is ELM, a 3-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Washington Post crossword on October 15, 2026.
How many letters is the answer to “Shade tree”?
3 letters: ELM.
When did this clue appear?
Most recently in the The Washington Post crossword on October 15, 2026 (a Thursday puzzle), at 65-Down.
Can “Shade tree” have a different answer?
Yes — The Washington Post sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.
Where can I find the rest of this day's WaPo Crossword answers?
The full grid for October 15, 2026 is on the WaPo Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.
The Washington Post Crossword is published by The Washington Post; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.
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