Shade Tree Recommendation

[carvers4math]

Maples are pretty but I am biased against them as our yard becomes full of the neighbors’ whirlybird seeds. Once last spring looked like husband was mowing a forest of little tree sprouts. They are a mess.

We just wanted fast growing shade and have been happy with out Dutch elm resistant elms. They don’t have pretty colored leaves but they also aren’t a mess.

 

[jcyclonee]

I love these

https://cdn.hibuwebsites.com/391ecff1695c44749cf7266d124aa45f/files/uploaded/Gleditsia%2C%20Skyline%20Honeylocust.pdf

They aren't bad but can be difficult to cleanup in the fall.

I'd also say to not get an Ash tree.

 

[cyfan92]

We planted a red and white oak in our suburbia neighborhood. Looking around the neighborhood. EVERYONE had fast growing maples and river birches.

We wanted to provide some canopy diversity fully understanding that the oaks are slow growing and won't be highly desirable sizes for many years

 

[clonehenge]

I have some Autumn Blaze Maples I planted last year. I really like them. They grow fast (for a tree lol) and turn a really pretty red in the fall. I bought some larger ones (trunk diameter around 2-3" and that seemed to help. We didn't have much luck with smaller trees in the past.

Another Autumn blaze vote. I love those trees.

Along those same lines, I was going to suggest a Red Sunset Maple. I think they have bigger leaves, so more shade.

 

[HoibergIsMyHero]

We planted a Cleaveland select pear. I probably would have done an oak looking back but my wife doesn’t like the big trees close to the house

 

[cygrads]

I have some Autumn Blaze Maples I planted last year. I really like them. They grow fast (for a tree lol) and turn a really pretty red in the fall. I bought some larger ones (trunk diameter around 2-3" and that seemed to help. We didn't have much luck with smaller trees in the past.

We planted one of those years ago and is a beautiful tree so planted another. Only bad thing about this tree and other faster growing trees is they are soft woods and are more susceptible to wind damage.

 

[BCClone]

We planted one of those years ago and is a beautiful tree so planted another. Only bad thing about this tree and other faster growing trees is they are soft woods and are more susceptible to wind damage.

Soft wood is not good wood.

 

[cowgirl836]

We planted one of those years ago and is a beautiful tree so planted another. Only bad thing about this tree and other faster growing trees is they are soft woods and are more susceptible to wind damage.

Also prone to multiple leaders and high crotch angle. We have one but knowing what I do know I'd get something different. Autumn Fantasy is similar and also fast growing with better branching.

 

[Tri4Cy]

We planted a red and white oak in our suburbia neighborhood. Looking around the neighborhood. EVERYONE had fast growing maples and river birches.

We wanted to provide some canopy diversity fully understanding that the oaks are slow growing and won't be highly desirable sizes for many years

Agreed. We got a beautiful blaze maple with the purchase but I feel like that is what everyone picks. It's good to have diversity to prevent issues like we are seeing with ash or elm over the years. We just built last year and are looking to add a few more trees to the property as soon as we can so we can start the growth period. Would love to have a great solid hardwood in the front yard. Something that in 30 years will be a beautiful focal point really getting into it's maturity.

 

[cygrads]

Soft wood is not good wood.

Should have saw that coming!

 

[Gunnerclone]

Maples are pretty but I am biased against them as our yard becomes full of the neighbors’ whirlybird seeds. Once last spring looked like husband was mowing a forest of little tree sprouts. They are a mess.

We just wanted fast growing shade and have been happy with out Dutch elm resistant elms. They don’t have pretty colored leaves but they also aren’t a mess.

Helicopters are the worst. On the flip side if those things are taking it means your soil is pretty good.

 

[jcyclonee]

Soft wood is not good wood.

Also prone to multiple leaders and high crotch angle. We have one but knowing what I do know I'd get something different. Autumn Fantasy is similar and also fast growing with better branching.

Did you two really have to make these comments in consecutive posts?

 

[BCClone]

Did you two really have to make these comments in consecutive posts?

Never had a high crotcher, so I don’t know.

 

[jcyclonee]

We are actually looking for a shade tree for the front yard too. They aren't super easy to find but I've been intrigued by the Northern Catalpa. Does anybody have any experience with these? More specifically, how messy are they?

https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=805

 

[jackrabbit]

We are actually looking for a shade tree for the front yard too. They aren't super easy to find but I've been intrigued by the Northern Catalpa. Does anybody have any experience with these? More specifically, how messy are they?

https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=805

I lived in Iowa for 50 years but now live in TX. If you are looking for a tree that few people have, this is one that is rare to find in most yards. They have extremely large leafs and large seed pods. I don't recall them having much fall color. They do have white flowers in the spring. With temperatures warming and winters getting shorter maybe look at a American Beech. They are popular out in Ohio and Indiana.

 

[jcyclonee]

I lived in Iowa for 50 years but now live in TX. If you are looking for a tree that few people have, this is one that is rare to find in most yards. They have extremely large leafs and large seed pods. I don't recall them having much fall color. They do have white flowers in the spring. With temperatures warming and winters getting shorter maybe look at a American Beech. They are popular out in Ohio and Indiana.

Thanks. I actually live in Minnesota. We see a few of them around and it looks like they will grow in the Twin Cities but not much farther north. Any idea if a Beech will grow in the Twin Cities?

 

[BCClone]

Thanks. I actually live in Minnesota. We see a few of them around and it looks like they will grow in the Twin Cities but not much farther north. Any idea if a Beech will grow in the Twin Cities?

Only along the Mississippi

 

[83cy]

Japaneese Beetles love Lindens, I wouldnt go there.

Weird I have a large Linden and they barely touch it. I think it's leaves are too tough, they love everything else in my yard.

 

[CY9395]

We had a catalpa tree growing up and it struggled. Branches broke off a lot. Cool tree though with great smelling flowers

 

[83cy]

I have some silver maples and pick up sticks everyday!

Silver maples are the worst, messy, break in high winds etc. Red Maples are my vote.