I want to plant some shade trees, HELP

[SpeedyBolt]

So I've been thinking about planting some shade trees in the front of my house. I know Steve is an expert so I thought I would throw this out there for advice. I want something that grows quick and gets big enough to throw some good shade onto the house/yard. I don't want anything that's going to "shed" crap on my house like some of the trees I have seen. I also would like something that is going to last a long time and not die on me in 5-10 yeas. I am completly clueless when it comes to this so anything to get me headed in the right way would be great!:beer:

[Beaudee]

Live Oak ,Red Oak trees do great in texas and provide great shade.They dont suck water from house foundation like Pecan,Arizona Ash,Willow and other junk trees known to cause foundation damage.

[Silver_2000]

what your asking for is near impossible

If it grows fast it typically dies realtively fast as well

[SILVER2000SVT]

I'm a little biased, but the fast growers aren't really the best choices because most of them are really agressive with shallow roots where nothing will grow under them and will only live 20-30 years. They also won't withstand drought or extreme conditions and are more disease prone.

For what you are asking for fast growing shade trees, some of the most common choices even though I would recommend going with more of a quality tree:
Bradford Pear
Fruitless Mulbury

If you want a good quality tree I second the live oak and red oak (shumard) suggestions. Actually Live oaks grow fairly fast for an oak tree, and like their name they are green all year round, but of course they will drop acorns in the Fall.

A sort of medium between one of these trash trees (bradford pears) and a quality tree would be something like a silverleaf maple. They grow fairly fast and will develop exposed roots on top of the ground which is bad but will live up to 35 years or so and are fairly hearty from my experience.

If you want shade fast I would suggest saving and investing in a more mature quality tree rather than buying the young fast growing tree.

[99WhiteBeast]

Fast growers= weak wood and trash trees in my opinion. Invest in the largest size tree you can afford- 50 gallon size containers or better. When you plant make sure and stake it for support and hand water for the first two months.

Look at as an investment in the value of your house and neighborhood.

My top three for Texas:
Shumard Red Oak- 25 to 30 ft tall and same in width- large acorns and lots of leaves to deal with in the fall but an awesome tree overall
Shantung Maple - 25 ft tall- 20 ft wide- similar to the branching Japenese Red Maple with spreading canopy- awesome late fall foliage (yellow, red, orange)
Tolerates heat well and akaline soils. Wrap trunk first three years to avoid sun scald
Chinese Pistachio -40 to 50 ft tall and 30 to 40 ft across. Briallant red and yellow fall foliage. Buy a male speciman if possible better overall palnt habits.

Other good trees and some mentioned here; Live Oak, Bradford Pear, Cedar Elm, Pecan, Sweetgum (the later two you'll have some fruit to deal with)

Stay away from Cottonwoods, Arizona Ash, Willow, Sycamore, Chinaberry,Siberian Elm, and Mulberry

[SpeedyBolt]

Thanks guy's, I think I'm headed in the right direction now. I want to buy something thats already kind of big. I don't want to plant a 2ft tree and not live to see it get big enough to shade my house. I'm looking to spend around $200.00 a tree.

Are the Silver Maples any good? Somebody was telling me about them and said it was a pretty fast grower but would last a while.

[Moonshine]

I don't want to plant a 2ft tree and not live to see it get big enough to shade my house. I'm looking to spend around $200.00 a tree.


Um, methinks you haven't priced trees in awhile, as those two goals are mutually exclusive. The last two Live Oaks I bought were nearly $1000 each for decent sized (20' high, 3.5" dia) trees.

[SpeedyBolt]

Um, methinks you haven't priced trees in awhile, as those two goals are mutually exclusive. The last two Live Oaks I bought were nearly $1000 each for decent sized (20' high, 3.5" dia) trees.
Nope, I've never done anything with trees before. I figured a $200.00 tree would be a good start just in case I kill it! lol:evil

[Moonshine]

$200 for any of the tree species you're considering will get you a 10-12' tree with a 1" diameter trunk. Think of it as a large stick with about 4 leaves on it. And if you want any warranty you'll probably have to have the nursery plant it for you.

[SILVER2000SVT]

For the fort worth area, I highly recommend Designs in Nature on SE 820. This is the one Steve recommended to me and I've used them a lot over the past year.

For a discount place try Herrmann Wholesale Co. on S. Hughes St. Their prices are about half everybody elses with decent quality. They just won't provide much help and some of the plants aren't marked so you have to find somebody to ask or know what you are looking for.

[99WhiteBeast]

Are the Silver Maples any good? Somebody was telling me about them and said it was a pretty fast grower but would last a while.

I personally don't like them because of the surface roots which can be a pain to mow around. They can also have a tendency to split in high winds.

This place has wholesale prices for awesome maples and is not far from Kennedale raceway. They are only open on Saturday and only take cash or check. If you are transporting to Waco make sure and bring a tarp or enclosed trailer so don't wind burn the leaves on the trip back.
http://www.metromaples.com/homepage.html

[99WhiteBeast]

For the fort worth area, I highly recommend Designs in Nature on SE 820. This is the one Steve recommended to me and I've used them a lot over the past year.


Second that- they will deliver and guarantee it for life if they install.

[SpeedyBolt]

Well I got a couple of trees planted today. I decided on a Shumard Red Oak and a Chinese Pistachio. Any watering or fertilizing tips?

[99WhiteBeast]

Well I got a couple of trees planted today. I decided on a Shumard Red Oak and a Chinese Pistachio. Any watering or fertilizing tips?

Hand water for the first two months to establish the roots. I wouldn't worry much about fertilizing. I've always used root stimulator when installing the tree and then keep the water on so the root ball does get dry.