Des de fa anys, un arbre del carrer fa ombra a la finestra de la cuina.

Des de fa anys means for years or for years now.

It uses the pattern des de fa + period of time:

• des de fa dos dies = for two days
• des de fa mesos = for months
• des de fa molt temps = for a long time

The idea is that something started in the past and is still continuing now. English often uses for here, even though Catalan uses the longer structure des de fa.

They are both forms of fer, but they do different jobs.

• In des de fa anys, fa is part of a time expression.
• In fa ombra, fa is the main verb of the sentence.

So even though they look identical, they are functioning differently. This is completely normal in Catalan.

A useful extra point:

• the first fa stays fa in this expression
• the second one changes with the subject: un arbre fa ombra, but uns arbres fan ombra

Because Catalan normally uses the present tense for something that began in the past and still continues now when you have expressions like des de fa anys.

So Catalan says:

• Des de fa anys, ... fa ombra

Where English often says:

• has been casting shade
• has shaded
• has been shading

This is a very common difference between Catalan and English.

Fer ombra is a common expression meaning to cast shade, to provide shade, or to shade something.

Literally, it is something like to make shade/shadow, but it is best learned as a fixed expression.

For example:

• Aquest arbre fa ombra. = This tree gives/casts shade.
• El para-sol fa ombra a la terrassa. = The parasol shades the terrace.

It can mean either shade or shadow, depending on context.

In fa ombra, shade is usually the best translation, because the idea is that the tree blocks the sun.

Also, ombra is a feminine noun:

• l’ombra = the shade / the shadow
• una ombra = a shadow

Because the expression is fer ombra a + noun.

The a marks the person, object, or place affected by the shade:

• fa ombra a la finestra
• fa ombra al pati
• fa ombra a la terrassa

This a does not mean movement to the window. It is simply the preposition that goes with fer ombra.

Del carrer means something like of the street or from the street, but in natural English it is better understood as a tree on the street or a street tree.

It identifies which tree we are talking about: the one out on the street, not one in a garden or patio.

So un arbre del carrer is a normal Catalan way to describe that tree.

Yes.

In Catalan:

• de + el = del
• a + el = al

So:

• del carrer = de el carrer
• al pati = a el pati

But there is no such contraction with la:

• de la cuina stays de la cuina
• a la finestra stays a la finestra

Because Catalan usually prefers noun + de + noun where English often uses one noun to modify another.

So:

• la finestra de la cuina = the kitchen window
• la porta del jardí = the garden door
• la taula del menjador = the dining-room table

This is a very normal Catalan structure.

After fa and des de fa with lengths of time, Catalan normally does not use an article.

So you say:

• fa anys
• des de fa mesos
• des de fa tres setmanes

Not using an article here is just the standard pattern.

Yes. That is very natural and means almost the same thing.

You can say:

• Des de fa anys, un arbre del carrer fa ombra a la finestra de la cuina.
• Fa anys que un arbre del carrer fa ombra a la finestra de la cuina.

Both mean that the situation started in the past and still continues now.

A small nuance:

• Des de fa anys emphasizes the time expression a bit more at the beginning.
• Fa anys que... is another very common way to package the same idea.

Yes, but the nuance is a little different.

• un arbre del carrer sounds like a street tree or the tree from/by the street; it helps identify what kind of tree or which one
• un arbre al carrer focuses more directly on location: a tree in/on the street

In this sentence, del carrer sounds very natural because it helps classify the tree and distinguish it from other possible trees.