I'm not clear as to how you are saying the tree would be used (in the bed adjacent to the house, etc). Some of the negatives of this tree include:

1. It's a very weedy tree with seedlings popping up everywhere. Louisiana doesn't appear to have a comprehensive list of invasive plants (that I can find) available online, like many other states do. Georgia, for instance, lists Firmiana simplex as a category 4 invasive (possible invasive in need of further study to determine exact status). I wouldn't be surprised to find that this species was considered a low-level invasive in Louisiana.

2. It's a fast-growing, weak-wooded tree and produces lots of litter. Be prepared to do a lot of picking-up under and around this tree. The leaves are very large, and, when they fall, they look like paper or something in your yard. I'm constantly thinking trash has blown under mine when I look at the area from a distance. The large leaves can look interesting on the tree, but they are just an eyesore when they fall. If you are contemplating planting it next to your house, falling branches may also be a consideration.

3. Like many other fast-growing trees, this one is usually fairly short lived. If you are planting for the long-term, that is something worth considering. By the time this one is falling apart, you could be enjoying a really nice specimen of some other species.

Some positives include:

A. It grows quickly, so provides shade faster than many alternatives.

B. It's somewhat unusual and can make a good conversation piece. It's even somewhat tropicalesque.

C. It's somewhat adaptable and doesn't require as much babying as some other alternatives.

D. Your neighbors probably don't have one (yet, LOL).

E. It sure beats a Bradford pear tree (at least in most cases).

OMG, I can't even imagine a landscaper suggesting you plant one of those. Louisiana may not have it on their list of invasives, but that's just a matter of time. See the link below on them on a Lousiana Extension website.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chinese parasol tree

WOW!!! Apparently it's even worse than I would have imagined down there! Newoldhouser, PLEASE send Calliope's link to your landscape designer, and maybe consider changing landscapers.

Yowza!

WOW! Thanks for the link Calliope. I am appaled that he suggested those. He had three spaced together on the side of my house....yes, in a flower bed! and 4 on the other side of my house grouped together. Ya'll are so helpful and saved me from this plant! no way I'm planting that next to my house!

Anytime a State University Extension site uses a tree's name and the word defolient in the same sentance, I get suspicious. LOL. You have to be more careful in your zone than I, because our sometimes nasty winters help hold potentially invasive non-native trees with borderline hardiness in check. However, I've noticed that some we never used to consider invasive here (like Paulownia) are taking hold and multiplying. It may be from climate change, but I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the simple genetic principle of selective breeding advantage..........the hardiest of the seed-grown offspring will live and reproduce.

A good practise I think when considering landscaping services is to ask for a portfolio of past jobs, or addresses of past jobs, so you can see for yourself how their choice of materials and installations really come together. Especially look at the oldest jobs because that's when poor material choices start to become evident.