I would suggest Jacaranda-loves heat, provides nice filtered shade, and gorgeous blue/purple flowers in late Spring. Another beautiful flowering tree is the Hong Kong Orchid which has large heart-shaped leaves, is evergreen and flowers during the winter/spring. The flowers on the Hong Kong Orchid have a dark pink coloring and are huge!!! For trees that are as lush and beautiful as these two they are suprisingly hardy and easy to grow. Both are fast growing trees and will do well with a deep watering once a week during the summer once established. Jacarandas can grow to be over 40 feet tall, but can be trained to branch high to allow you to walk under or plant under them. Hong Kong Orchids aren't as numerous around here as they are in Southern California, but I've seen a few around Phoenix in the 20-30 foot tall range. Both trees are available at local nurseries and right now is a great time to plant.

Another maple would fit the bill. Silver maples grow the fastest of any maples but you eventually pay a price for that with weak wood that breaks in storms (although that is many years down the road). A red maple grows very fast but usually has a better branching structure and somewhat stronger wood that holds up better in storms. They also have fantastic fall color. Freeman maples are a cross between red and silver maples and have a growth rate in between. I have one planted in my front yard. It's a variety called Autumn Blaze that is available just about anywhere including Lowe's and Home Depot. To get some idea of it's growth rate, here is a picture of it when it was planted in 2002 and pics from summer and fall from 2009. It is significantly larger now than in 2009. Red maples (e.g. Red Sunset, October Glory) won't grow quite this fast but they won't be too far behind. 2002 2009 2009 Fall Color href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v298/Tree_Oracle/Landscaping/?action=view&current=Autumn-Blaze.jpg" target="_blank"> I would also consider a Pin Oak. They grow very fast although very vertical for the first few years and they have fantastic fall color. Red Oaks grow rather quickly, too. A London Planetree will give the growth that you are looking for. They don't have too much in the way of fall color but their exfoliating bark is exceptional. The leaves are more of an olive green but how green the leaves of this species are depends on which cultivar that you buy. I would also consider a birch tree. They grow exceptionally fast and their bark is stunning. They aren't as long-lived as the other trees that I've mentioned, though and you may have to plant more than one for the same amount of shade coverage as a maple or oak. One other choice to consider is a Japanese zelkova. They are in the elm family and consequently look like the American Elm but they are highly resistant to Dutch Elm Disease. The fastest growing cultivar of this species is called Green Vase which has a beautiful bronzy orange fall color. I have two zelkova cultivars in my front yard called Village Green that also have good fall color. They wouldn't tell you this on the Tree Forum but if you want a super fast growing tree, a Weeping Willow or a Bradford pear would give you very quick growth. However, both trees are extremely weak wooded and they will eventually drop branches including in some cases major branches. Weeping Willows are also notorious for their aggressive root system which will seek out water anywhere including septic drain fields and sewer pipes (if they can find a crack in which to get a foothold). I'm not suggesting that you plant these especially next to your house. I just wanted to throw out that information. Just drop me an email if you want to know more about a particular tree that you may be considering.

Cedars and ferns would = damp, if these are lady ferns. If you are in a low area, out away from the continuous influence of Puget Sound (Sunset 4), you will have different choices than if in closer (Sunset 5). In the milder part there are various broadleaf evergreen trees you could try, these being more cheerful (having the appearance of reflecting light instead of absorbing it) than conifers it would be advantageous to replace the cedars with at least some of these, if possible.

Resistance is a relative term. Most of the hybrid/non-native elms (Accolade, Triumph, Commendation, New Horizon, Prospector, Pioneer, etc.....) possess NATURAL resistance where they do not typically contract DED. This is not a "catch-all" by any means as these non-natives can still contract DED, but they possess both resistance to becoming infected and resistance to significant decline once infected. Many of them can wall off the infection so that it does not spread. DED predominantly affects native elm species, particularly American Elm. The American Elms listed as resistant have a way to block off the pathogen even when infected with DED, allowing them to live a long time even if/when infected. If you look at the research articles online you'll see that no American Elm is 100% resistant but there are some that are close. Would I plant one next to another diseased, dying elm? Not a chance. The DED spreads through root grafts underground. I would think you are asking for trouble by doing so. There are other options for great trees out in open areas here in Iowa- Kentucky Coffeetree, Autumn Fantasy Maple, some of the better Honeylocusts, State Street Maple, Turkish Filbert, Amur Corktree (male cultivars only), Lindens (unless Japanese beetles are an issue), and about 20 different oak species and cultivars. Of those, only a few (Honeylocust, Autumn Fantasy Maple, and Lindens) will give a growth rate comparable to the Hybrid Elms (easily 3' a year). I think the elms are worth a try for a low-maintenance tree that can handle heat, wind, drought, and cold. In the next few years there will also be a smaller elm released with good fall color. It is called Northern Empress Elm (released by NDSU). I think that will be a good choice for homeowners out in rural settings looking for a heat/drought tolerant tree with good fall color as well.