Catalpa is not invasive in the way the term invasive is meant to be used. While Empress Trees are invasive as the term is meant to be used. Despite appearances, they aren't closely related. Both Catalpa species are listed in Georgia, though it is uncertain what their original range was, as they were widely dispersed by Native American Indians before the arrival of Europeans. If you don't like them, that's fine, but they do fit the criteria you asked for, are very tough, and are native to the SE U.S.. Arktrees Here is a link that might be useful: Catalpa species in the search area

If you want a weeping willow, I would recommend the golden weeping willow. I am sorry, but I am confused about the names of some of the weeping willows. I have seen golden weeping willows called Salix alba "tristis" or Salix albs ""Niobe," and "Salix sepulcralis chrysocoma." I am sure I have seen one or two other names for it. One source suggests there are more than one cultivar involved, another says it is just name confusion--I don't know. But don't let the confusion about the names of this tree confuse you. The one I am recommending has golden color winter twigs, golden color catkin bloom in spring, and if the weather is half-way favorable, wonderful long-lasting gold leaf color in the fall. It is very fast growing and gets quite large. The popular Babylon weeping willow can have some bad dieback in Z6 or 7 during a cold winter. It has greenish twigs. In the south where it is not damaged by cold, it is a fine tree. As for soil and moisture--if you have a good soil that is not too sandy, your willow will do fine. I planted two from a cuttings 5 years ago out in a field that used to be an apple orchard--nothing about the site suggests that it is any more moist than any average site. The largest is now about 20 feet tall and 5" in diameter--the other is almost as large. If you have a willow growing that you really like that has golden twigs and can get some good strong cuttings from fairly high up, come back here and ask me for instructions. --Spruce

Hi and welcome! If you post this on the discussion page you will get alot of info. Most people on this forum go to that page first and lucky you, there seems to be talk of a gardener get together on your area. Check the Bar b que post. There you will get to meet and talk to Orlando gardeners about your blank slate. Prepare to have fun and enjoy!!!!

Nothing fast about the growth rate of dogwoods :-) Raywood ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywood') might be a nice choice - rapid growth, excellent reddish purple fall foliage and great foliage texture. And relatively drought tolerant once established. May eventually grow somewhat larger than your intended height but that'll take time. Katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) is another great fall color shade tree with a moderately rapid growth rate but miminal drought tolerance (although there is a gorgeous mature one at my current location that gets NO supplemental irrigation and appears unscathed by both the current heat and dryness). Parrotia or oxydendrum have great fall color and good drought tolerance once established but are not fast growing. Parrotia will eventually present a flatter canopy than the others suggested. Paperbark maple is another possibility but doesn't meet either the rapid growth or drought tolerant requirements.