Nyssa sylvatica, aka blackgum, is a winner but a somewhat difficult transplant for me. I went small and a few died back to the ground the 1st winter on me then resprouted. Finally I left one in place and it hasn't died back since. If you go with a big transplant get a warranty. Black gum is underplanted IMO.

Bald cypress has a more rare cousin in Metasequoia, aka Dawn redwood. The growth potential is similar. Metasequoia is faster and gets taller here but I have seen huge Bald cypress pics from the south. Limb up Metasequoia and it is polite and formal looking. Leave the lower limbs for a cool gnarly trunk.

I planted a black gum - I believe the 'wildfire' cultivar (for spring foliage that's reminiscent of a red-tipped photinia bush, though some say fall color may not quite equal the species), and mine didn't die back, and has grown pretty fast these past couple of years. I believe I got a 'Smart Pot' version from Sooner Farms online. The tap root still looked to get damaged when I pulled the pot off it, but gotta say, it caught on fast and is a nice looking tree.

Richard.

Great! I may check out the 'Wildfire' cultivar of Blackgum from the Sooner Farms website. I may also look at a bald cypress or dawn redwood for the right side of my backyard, as it looks to stay fairly skinny and shouldn't pose a problem if it's planted about 20 ft from my house. I'm still open to other suggestions though! Probably won't be purchasing anything for 1-2 months.

If you are looking at baldcypress and black gum, you will want to wait until early spring to plant those. There are a bunch of newer black gum varieties out there, although I'm not sure how readily available they are. I planted a "red rage" a couple years ago and it is doing OK. They are not fast growing, though. Based on the size of your yard and the fencing, I don't think you'd want to go with any tree wider than 35' or so at maturity. If you go with an oak, you would want to find a narrow variety/cultivar. You probably also want something that looks good limbed-up above head level too. Not sure baldcypress fits the bill there.

I planted a large black gum 'wildfire', B&B, last spring. This year a couple small branch tips died after winter, but it grew nicely about 4-6 inches this 1st year. It is a unique, beautiful tree and has been doing well in full sun. I am zone 5 in central Indiana.

IMO.. the bald cypress and dawn redwoods have way to much potential for this lot

ken

Yes I definitely would want something limbed up above head level. Thanks for all of the input. I agree Ken, I think BC and DR would quickly outgrow the yard.

I'm now leaning towards Shantung Maple (seems to have less aggressive roots than other maples) or a Blackgum. It seems like Shantung Maple may grow faster than the Blackgum and is also easier to transplant. Maybe it will come down to whichever I can find.

Lacey Oak is another option, but that seems very tough to find outside of Texas.

Shantung Maple (seems to have less aggressive roots than other maples)

==>>> as a hosta grower.. i wish you luck with that nonsense ...

i have oaks... various. in MI .. doing 3 to 5 feet per year.. once established .... and that is fast enough ..

i do NOT recommend anything that brags to grow faster ...

do not fall into the trap of instant gratification ...

you are living the nightmare of a new subdivision ... no trees.. no shade ... etc ... you kinda have to buy your shade with the house...

not familiar enough with NC to help Id anything for you ... elevation might mean something.. as I THINK ... there is a coastal micro climate.. and an inland elevated climate ...

can you not find NC forestry links on recommended trees for your area ... i am sure you local county extension or ag office has brochures ... or trees recommended for your area ...

thought the web is easy ... its not always the best local source ...

ken

A "shade tree" is one that is grown for the shade its canopy can produce. That typically eliminates any palms or conifers, as they don't actually produce "canopies" or large spreading crowns (usually able to be walked under) that create much shade. Typically a 'shade tree' is a broadleaved deciduous tree like maples, oaks, lindens, elms, beech, sweet gum, etc.

I don't know for sure living in the north, but there are probably some magnolia species/varieties that would fit your size requirements. They do grow at a decent pace. I am growing a multi-stemmed, Moonglow sweetbay magnolia that is reported to top out at around 35'x18'. You would have more magnolia options in NC.

Thanks Ken, I'll do some more research online. I agree, I'm not looking for a very fast growing tree as I know the problems with such trees. I'm fine with 2-3' of growth each year. It just looks like most Oaks will outgrow my yard, probably not while I'm in the house but I don't want it to be a problem for the next owner. The tree would be 20-30' from my house and my neighbors.

I would be sold on the Blackgum but they are hard to find and hard to transplant. I'd hate to waste another year on a Blackgum that ends up dying, but maybe I'm worrying too much.

As for the Shantung maple, I don't need to plant anything under it, but it may be somewhat close to a stone patio I will install in the near future, so I wouldn't want the roots to become a problem with that.

So I think I'm between Blackgum and Shantung Maple now. Eastern Redbud is another option, but from what I read they are relatively short-lived.

Am I right in avoiding Oaks due to the size? Or will it look ok 30-50 years from now towering over my house?

I had no problem transplanting my Blackgum, and I could see it beginning to establish during the latter part of summer/beginning of fall last year when I saw new roots within the dripline that I mulched. I will post a picture this evening.

My blackgum has grown a couple feet per year since dying back that first winter. Nyssa species (blackgum) is more unique than Acer species (the maple) FWIW.

I also believe redbuds to be shorter lived trees. They don't really grow out of control or get big enough to kill houses when they fall though.

Also consider:
Oriental Raisin Tree (Hovenia dulcis)
American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
Pecan

Thank you for the suggestions blakrab.

toronado3800 thank you for your input as well. I do like the idea of having a more unique tree (blackgum), even though the Shantung Maple "Fire Dragon" cultivar seems pretty unique as well. It seems like both Blackgum and Shantung Maple may grow about the same speed.

Steppskie, thanks for your input. Good to know they aren't as hard to transplant as I thought, as long as I get a decent one from a good nursery.

I've planted a Shandong Maple "Fire Dragon" myself. Last I checked, it was doing great this year!