We also have recently removed a Paulownia tree for exactly the same reasons that you described. It was originally planted near the patio for shade, but the leaf litter was unbearable. In my opinion, Afrocarpus gracilor is a very nice tree; after some research, we have planted three of them in various spots in the backyard. You might also want to check Tristaniopsis laurina (Water Gum tree).

Thanks, Stan. Will check this one out as well. We're also considering a magnolia tree, too.

Patty S.

I also like the afrocarpus very much. I would also suggest Brisbane Box, lophostemon confertus, previously called tristania conferta. It is kind of like a greener version of a eucalyptus. Faster growing than the afrocarpus, drought tolerant, evergreen, attractive bark. It can get rangy when young and if the leader is broken or pruned it can grow into an erratic shape, but if you get a young tree with a good leader it grows into a tall tending toward narrow form.

I should have added this before I hit submit. I would eliminate the brazilian pepper if you want a clean tree, they tend to drop lots of tiny leaves and seeds. I would also eliminate the ficus if you want non-invasive roots.

Thanks, Ken. Will put this tree on the short list. Yes, Brazilian Peppers can be messier than California Peppers, it was a bit of a fudge for me.

Patty S.

The Brachychiton populneus is a great tree. It has grown very quickly for me, shooting straight up to about 30 feet in 7 years or so from seed. Mine has a narrow, conical habit and hasn't yet developed any substantial lateral branches. I haven't had any issues with it. The green bark is a plus.

Thanks, Josue. I'd love to see a photo of your tree.

Patty S.

@hoosierquilt I don't have a current pic at the moment, but here's one from last year. I took the picture at close range using my phone's panorama setting so it looks much shorter than it really is. It's about the height of my second story roof. Also, there is no irrigation line that waters this tree. It thrives without supplemental water (I did water it during the first several years though, since I grew it from seed.)

Wow, that is amazing it is so tall, just from seed. Thanks, and will definitely also consider this tree.

Patty S.

Don't plant a Magnolia if you're worried about mess.

Someone planted one 50 years ago next to our pool. It is absolutely beautiful and give great shade to the south side of the house, BUT it is very, very messy. The large leaves drop all year, heaviest in the spring, and they take years to decompose.

In the summer the beautiful flowers drop bud sheaths and then petals. Later in fall, heavy cones drop and bring tons of squirrels who pull them apart after the seeds and leave a mess everywhere. Plus the cones are kinda spiky, painful if you accidentally step on one, plus a tripping hazard. So yes, a beautiful majestic tree...for the outer edges of a property, not near a patio. You have been warned, lol.

The Africarpus gracilior is a pretty good choice, they do get huge with age, but are fast and pretty clean, and handle heat and soil compaction well. Josue Diaz's suggestion of Brachychiton populneus is a good choice too, lovely tree, too tender for where I am, but should do great for you.

Stan's suggestion of a Tristaniopsis laurina is a good one too, but pretty slow growing. If you want shade soon, I'd get the largest one you can find. It will be expensive, but save you several years waiting.

I love Ficus microcarpa (Indian Laurel)! Beautiful tree, gorgeous white smooth trunk! I just got back from visiting my daughter in San Luis Obispo and the downtown streets are lined with them and they're very majestic. Do be aware that they can get very large buttress roots with age, but if you give them lots of root room near the patio, but not right next to or in the patio, they should be fine.

Thanks, Barb, I trust your advice. Will scrap the Magnolia - I forgot entirely about those spiky seed pods. We have enough issues with ground squirrels, don't need to send a calling card. And, there are walkways, albeit DG, so you would have shoes on down in this area. But, don't want all the debris and seeds. So, back to the Africarpus gracilor or Brachychiton populnues. I argued with our local tree nursery about the Ficus microcarpa and it's tendency to send out trunk-width butress roots. He said, "only if the tree is being superficially watered". Well, I've see different, and I just don't want something damaged down the road. It's funny, they are frequently used in sidewalk plantings and I've seen no roots and roots that have taken the sidewalk up a foot.

Patty S.

If you're looking for less volunteers and less leaf litter, I second scratching Brazilian Pepper from your list of potential replacements.

The neighbor's African Fern Tree, close to the property line, was well behaved and no problem. A commercial section of Santa Monica has them as street trees; they have remained while the ficus street trees are being torn out -- for obvious reasons.

Well the ficus gets a really wide trunk with age anyway, deep watered or not, and as a lot of sidewalks are 4-6' wide and the trunk can get 3'+ easily with age, even if they didn't also have surface roots, it would still outgrow the side walk eventually. So I think their watering issue is a strawman argument.

I guess I was thinking if you had room to plant it a good 8' or more away from the patio but in a shade casting location, it could work.

If not, I think your final candidates are great choices.

It is quite far from our patio, Barb - at least 20' away, but I am still scratching the ficus. I do like the Rusty Fig, though, and considering that still. Appreciate everyone's suggestions, it has been very helpful!

Patty S.

Mrs. Patty S. and Stan, don't mean to intrude but I am wondering if you have seeds of your Paulownia tormentosa left? I read the why you want them out of your gardens but it's that why I would like to include them in my garden: quick shade, lots of leaf litter (compost material), and good to coppice for wood for burning and stakes. Maybe I am totally off with this tree since I am new to gardening (and this site)...at any rate, if you do have any seeds left would you mind sharing some via a SASE or for postage? Thank-you/B

Bee, sorry, that tree is long gone, and nothing remains of it.

Thank-you for the response, I was just wondering.

I bought a Paulownia from Annies as a four inch seedling, and she does ship.

I'm not entirely satisfied with my willow acacia (Acacia salisina). It blooms from fall through winter (white, unscented) and sheds billions of blossoms all over the place. On the dirt areas of the garden I just ignore them, rake up once or twice a year. But it makes the brick patio a mess that needs more sweeping than I have time or patience for. If winter litter matters to you, you may want to look elsewhere.

I've recently planted a small mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus) and I'm finding it is very clean, with small deep glossy green leaves all year round, and seems unbothered by either frost or weeks in the 100s. It is from southern Italy and Greece.

Good luck finding the right tree.