What tree to plant? help please.

neeps

DH and I want to plant a shade tree on the side of our house - full sun all day long. The previous owner had a mature tree there at one time, but for some reason her daughters cut it down before selling.

Just about the only thing I know about trees is that I like them and, thanks to my grandma, which trees are which, but I have no idea what makes one tree "better" or of higher value than another. What would be your choice for a shade tree?

We're in zone 9a.

In case it matters; we have a number of trees in the yard already - 3 pecans, 2 saucer magnolias, 1 redbud, 2 laurels, 1 sherman red oak, 1 pine, 1 evergreen magnolia, 1 cypress, a huge Japanese yew, 2 figs (these are going b/c those same crazy daughters cut the mature trunks flush with the ground so they're sprouting like bushes), 1 dogwood (that has to go also for being only 1 foot off the back of the house).

TIA!

living_insanity

I really like my Kousa Dogwood.  Not sure if it would be too small for what you want. 

~NB~

When you say you want a shade tree, I assume you want something in the medium-large category.

When people ask me what kind of tree they should plant, I always tell them to choose a nonexistant native. By that, I mean a genus that is native to the region, but is uncommon or nonexistant in your neighborhood. Or better yet, go beyond genus, and plant something from a family that nobody else in the area has.

Here is a list of tree families to get you started. This should help you find a genus and species that meet your criteria.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_trees_and_shrubs_by_taxonomic_family

 

ringstrue

That's a lot of trees already! Can you choose one of the types you already have? I'd also look around your immediate neighborhood and see what its doing well in your neighbors yards, as that will be an indication of what does well in yours.

My only *personal* advice is to get a non-messy tree. You can't really get away from leaves, but you can avoid ones with big seed pods and petals that fall all over. 

 

~NB~

ringstrue:

Can you choose one of the types you already have? I'd also look around your immediate neighborhood and see what its doing well in your neighbors yards.

You should avoid planting things that already exist in the vicinity, and seek to create MORE biological diversity by planting underrespresented native genera.

neeps

ringstrue:

That's a lot of trees already! Can you choose one of the types you already have? I'd also look around your immediate neighborhood and see what its doing well in your neighbors yards, as that will be an indication of what does well in yours.

My only *personal* advice is to get a non-messy tree. You can't really get away from leaves, but you can avoid ones with big seed pods and petals that fall all over. 

We have over a half acre. There is no hope for having a yard free of tree droppings. Here's our red oak last Christmas. Everyone of those leaves falls off - not to mention the 3 pecans, the dogwood, the redbud and the cyprus trees as well. And that's just the leaves! The acorns, pecans and figs are another level of messy.

~NB~:

You should avoid planting things that already exist in the vicinity, and seek to create MORE biological diversity by planting underrespresented native genera.

NB thanks for your advice. It really helped. I decided on an Anacua (sandpaper tree). It's native to the area, fits in the planting area, has the height I want and none of my neighbors have one.

~NB~

neeps:

We have over a half acre. There is no hope for having a yard free of tree droppings. Here's our red oak last Christmas. Everyone of those leaves falls off - not to mention the 3 pecans, the dogwood, the redbud and the cyprus trees as well. And that's just the leaves! The acorns, pecans and figs are another level of messy.

~NB~:

You should avoid planting things that already exist in the vicinity, and seek to create MORE biological diversity by planting underrespresented native genera.

NB thanks for your advice. It really helped. I decided on an Anacua (sandpaper tree). It's native to the area, fits in the planting area, has the height I want and none of my neighbors have one.

Good girl! You deserve a medal.