Should I steer clear of these "fast-growing" shade trees?
timsondrup
9 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (7)
jonathanpassey
9 years agogroem
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Shade tree suggestion - preferably fast growing
Comments (5)Bur oak is native to your area and an excellent shade tree. It grows at a reasonable pace, particularly when it's young and will give you shade in a reasonable period of time. You might also want to consider some of the native maples. Do NOT plant norway maple. I also advise against our native silver maple in home landscapes -- it's just too big and ungainly for that setting. That being said, red or sugar maple are nice choices and I wouldn't even be opposed to the red/silver hybrids. Sycamore is also nice and fairly fast growing. I would recommend ash, but the emerald ash borer problem really prevents that these days. Hackberry would be a good choice, however, as would Kentucky coffeetree or perhaps even one of the Dutch elm disease resistent elm cultivars....See MoreFast-Growing Shade Trees (Zone 5, Chicagoland area)
Comments (8)"Unfortunately the last batch of storms gave my monster 100+ year-old pin oak tree a beating, causing it to lean unsafely towards my neighbor's house." Are such windstorms fairly common? I'm think if you often get winds strong enough to hammer a big oak, then you should NOT get a weak wooded tree (e.g.: true Poplars like Cottonwood, or a Silver Maple). In fact, another oak of some sort (likely the red oak group) might be a good balance between size, growth rate and strength of wood. Pin oak are famous for sending limbs down too low for yards. I wonder how a Shumard oak would do in your area? Are acorns unacceptable to you? Richard....See MoreWhat kind of fast-growing shade tree should I plant?
Comments (7)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...See MoreFast growing hybrid poplars shade trees for garden design
Comments (13)My Mom's front yard has a center walk to the front door. The previous owners planted 2 red oaks and 2 Arizona Ash, a local trash tree, one of each on each side. The ash were toward the street. When they bought the house, they removed the ash trees. Within two years, the oaks had filled in where the ash had been and were round like they should be. It gets so hot here that shade is very important to livability. I thought it was a great solution to adding shade quickly and then also planning for the future. bk...See Morearctictropical
9 years agoUser
9 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years agojim_ogden_utah
9 years ago
Related Stories
DECORATING GUIDESHere's How to Steer Clear of 10 Top Design Don'ts
Get interiors that look professionally styled even if you're taking the DIY route, by avoiding these common mistakes
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGrow Your Own Privacy: How to Screen With Plants and Trees
Use living walls to lower your home and garden's exposure while boosting natural beauty in your landscape
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESShades of Vegetable Gardens: Growing Edibles in Less Sun
See how one gardener produces a veritable feast of vegetables and herbs under a canopy of shade
Full StoryTREESGreat Design Plant: Acer Rubrum Brings Shade and Beauty
Red maple — a fast-growing, low-maintenance Eastern native — has spectacular fall foliage and early-spring flowers that feed pollinators
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESYes, You Can Grow Food in a Shady Yard
Your shady garden doesn’t have to be forever barren. Berries, herbs and other shade-loving plants can produce a delicious bounty
Full StoryHOUSEPLANTSGet a Dash of the Rain Forest With Madagascar Dragon Tree
This living decoration reaches up to 15 feet, has minimal needs and adapts to different light levels — just steer clear of fluoride
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESFix Those 'Whoopsies': 9 Fast Solutions for Decorating Mistakes
Don't suffer in silence over a paint, furniture or rug snafu — these affordable workarounds can help
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGGrow a Lush Privacy Screen
No need to wait forever for patio privacy the green way. These 10 ideas will get your screening up and running in no time
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESGet Your Edge On: 11 Ideas for Style in the Fast Lane
Show off your personality and give your design a surprising twist with one of these slightly edgier touches
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARDHow to Grow Vegetables in Containers
Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix
Full StorySponsored
jim_ogden_utah