A "nice, airy shade tree" for me would be a large pine . . . ;-)

Resin

Resin- Actually, the pine did not cast any shade on the house- it was too tall. The native pines here only have branches at the top, so 30 or so feet of bare trunk w/ 10 - 20 ft of small branches. And it was twisted, which, if it had been further from the house, would have been attractive, but if another hurricane came through...
The sun really boils the front of the house in the summer, hence my search for a relatively fast growing shade tree.
I wonder if there is a eucalyptus w/ suitable form, one that doesn't require a lot of water? Brandy

Try a smaller pine like Pinus virginiana

Eucalyptus aren't good in hurricanes

Resin

Bald cypress?

Sounds like you want a deciduous tree that will provide some shade during the summer and allow sun to warm home during winter. Fast grower, but not too big. Mmmm, Birch sounds as good as any. Cladrastis kentukea (Yellowwood) is a medium-sized tree that has grown fairly rapidly for me (18"-24"/year). Is Phellodendron (Corktree) considered invasive in your area? I've got a male clone that grew very rapidly to about 15', but has since slowed to about 8"-12"/year. Boldy branched tree with interesting bark. Catalpa is fast, but may get too big eventually. Up here we have C. speciosa, but it seems to me there's a southern species that is smaller. Good luck with your search.

Bob

I think a redbud would work well. Awesome purple flowers in spring and the leafing in the summer isn't too dense. Does well in partial sun in my area. Interesting branch structure once they get larger.

How about a thornless honey locust? Black locust is airy, but suckers, and has thorns.

Please don't plant a mimosa - they are airy, and pretty, but VERY invasive.

Any of the "deciduous conifers" - bald cypress, larch, etc. - would be good - the shade would go away in winter, and most of them have good, yellow fall foliage. They may be too tall, eventually, though.

I agree with birch as a nice light-shade tree - 'Heritage' or 'Duraheat' river birch come to mind. They will drop small branches in heavy winds as they grow, and the tops can break in ice-storms, so it may not be ideal in hurricane country.

Catalpa, from those I have seen, isn't light shade and is tall. How about an ash tree? I think the emerald ash borer will take many years to get to your area. Of course, they may grow too tall.

How about a crabapple - you could choose one for the size of the fruit as well as for flower color, and either eat them or make jelly if so inclined - if the wildlife left any - or opt for minimal fruits, and avoid any messiness on your lawn, and the bother of attracting wildlife. They usually have good fall foliage, as well, and they stay under 25'.

I think I would also ask your county extension agent if s/he has a list of recommended trees - being local, it would have suggestions that I don't know.

Great ideas! thanks to all of you. The crabapple is interesting since I plan to get 1 eventually but planned to put it in back. I appreciate the specific recommendations on the birch. Where do you all order your trees from?
I will be going to a extension agency event Sat and will ask around then. Thanks, again. Brandy

Crabapples aren't much on the airy side around here. The improved locust trees seem to meet your wants.

"Just" a medium sized shade tree that hasn't been mentioned, though not particularly airy, is the Chinese Pistache. Usually has nice fall color too.

my fringetree is blooming now and it is airy/wispy looking in spring with the flowers dangling in the breeze. chionanthus virginicus is a native with very fragrant flowers and becomes a small tree at maturity. probably not big enough to cast much shade on your house(about like the crape myrtle you mentioned) but it provides a nice seating area for a bench and chairs beneath the canopy.
it does have fairly large leaves, giving it a more coarse look in summer but the branching pattern is loose enough so that it doesn't cast dense shade. grass grows beneath mine to the mulch line. i have pruned the lower branches off to give it a more tree-like form over the years.
{{gwi:351126}} {{gwi:330863}}

here is a pic of it as the flowers fall from the tree, creating a ring of white on the ground and one when at peak flowering. i have seen these trees at our local chain-store garden centers.

Some people hate this tree, but I love mine: tamarisk. See related link below. Mine is a single tree in our big country back yard.

Regards,
Janice in TX

Here is a link that might be useful: Invasive & exotic plants

Great pics, Jeff.
Janice, I never heard of this one before. I notice the website does not mention it growing in the southeast. I think I would have to do more research before getting a tree that could be invasive. The pics were very attractive though.
I am not sure about birch- afraid it will need more water than what it is likely to get. I notice Forest Farm does not give hgts for some of them and there are few pics. Any suggestions for websites to look up pics? And nurseries nearer the east coast? There is a huge "surcharge" on shipping here from Forest Farm.
No, I don't want a Mimosa- they drop stuff everywhere.
I will ask at the local Plant sale tomorrow. Thanks, everyone, Brandy

Living in natural woodland, I have no need to bring trees in, but here are some shade trees I believe I would like: 1. pink flowered honey locust, if such exists. Nice shade, tiny leaves, annoying seed pods. 2. Chitalpa, nice flowers, big leaves. 3.Willow oak. Sturdy, with leaves that would not bury everything, when shed. 4.Oxydendrom arboreum. Never seen one I didn't like. These seem good for shade, but all can become sizeable trees, in time. There are a lot of smaller growing trees, like dogwoods and Halesias that I would also like sitting under.

Princeton American Elm, the quintessential shade tree!