Best shade tree for texan's back yard?

Hi, I%26#039;m trying to get some idea of a good, moderately fast growing tree to plant in my back yard. I have very clay sticky soil with nice plush grass on top. My back yard slightly slopes down to the east and is moderatly large size yard. I would like a tree that gives shade, will tolerate drought conditions and does not have those pesky flowers that bloom and spred pollin. I%26#039;d like to purchase it kinda small and let it grow over time, I%26#039;m not looking to plant a $500 fully grown oak tree.


I%26#039;d just like to hear any suggestions on trees I can research for my area. I was concidering a cotton wood, but my neighbor is allergic and I%26#039;d hate for my pretty tree to cause her any discomfort. No, I don%26#039;t like pine trees, or scrub brush. I don%26#039;t mind raking leaves. I am interested in the (hope this is right) buford pear tree (not a fruiting tree). I love those trees, but they seem to grow slow. Any advise, tree names or anything helpful is appriciated.

Best shade tree for texan%26#039;s back yard?
It really depends on what part of Texas you live in. The soil and climate conditions vary so much. I would suggest you contact you county agricultural agent for answers. They have that kind of information and it is specific for your area.





Stay away from Chinese tallow trees. They are very invasive and have an extremely short life. They were on our lot in Houston and they very messy.





My personal favorite is the live oak. They grow faster than more folks realize. They are basically pest free and provide shade all year. Other oaks are also very nice.





Buford pears are not really a shade tree but rather an ornamental tree.





Cotton woods are also very messy and their %26quot;cotton%26quot; gets all over everything.





In some parts of Texas you can grow maple trees. We had two in Houston and they did very well. The only draw back is their roots. They tend to grow very close to the surface of the ground.





There is a book called %26quot;Plants of the Metroplex%26quot; that is written specifically for Dallas-Fort Worth. Look for a copy. It is by Garret Howard
Reply:Pecan of course......they are native to here grow fast and will give you lots of nuts.....planted 2 3 foot trees.... 7 years ago and they are over 10 feet tall and about 6 feet wide





Autumn Purple Ash Tree ...beautiful color and tolerates clay soil and is drought resistant once it matures





any Maple tree...drought resistant once it matures





Oak Tree..beautiful colors and tolerates different soils





the best way to know what is good for your specific area is to visit a tree farm
Reply:I take it you%26#039;re not a native. If you were, you%26#039;d know about talla trees. Proper name, Chinese tallow.





http://www.galvbayinvasives.org/Guide/Sp...





They grow like weeds. Most god-awful messy tree, though. Loses limbs like crazy, leaves don%26#039;t decompose, but make a lot a shade. They%26#039;ll grow in concrete, too. Dump some seeds in your yard, and let %26#039;em go.
Reply:hi neighbor, we don%26#039;t have many %26#039;exotic%26#039; trees, just the local stuff but the trees i appreciate are our Live Oaks. They stay pretty all year long and have pretty little acorns. You can buy them at Home Depot (about +12%26#039;) for around $349
Reply:go to southwest nursery on sandylake rd in Dallas and look at Texas ash. or arizona ash.fast growing and needs little care. bought 3 there last year and they have doubled in size.



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