Shade Tree Recommendation: Outdoor Dining

4 years ago

Hello,

I’m searching for recommendations for a large canopy shade tree that would be placed near our outdoor dining area. Ideally this would have a canopy wide enough for branches to hang above out table, and have the ability to hang lights from.

We were considering the African Sumac, but have heard many negative reviews during research. Our home is in Scottsdale Arizona, and we have quite a lush backyard.

Please let me know if you have any recommendations, or have performed the same type of project.

Thank you,

Featured Answer

MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Gosh. This site has become so argumentative. I'm simply trying to be helpful. The last two times I've posted, some other person, not even the original poster (OP) has wanted to argue with me about my comments.

Even just ONE mesquite tree grows a large canopy, my research at the time said it can grow up to a 40' canopy.

To pacify you Embothrium, I've spent some time putting together a progression of one of the trees:

Oct 2008, shortly after planting:

Mid-June 2011: (odd angle, I was taking the photo from the roof of the house, must have been morning by the shadow.)

Oct 2012 - 4 years after planting:

Today:

Done.

Joseph, I hope you find this information helpful. Notice all those yellow flowers - those will be mesquite beans, all of which will fall to the ground eventually. I think in the fall. Some folks lay a tarp under the tree when it's dropping and collect the beans then grind into flour. It's supposed to be very good but we've never gone to the trouble.

Embothrium, carry on your conversation with Joseph if you like, I'm uninterested in any continued criticism.

Comments (7)

Embothrium
4 years ago
How many years are you willing to wait for it to size up? Because that's what you are going to be doing (waiting many years) if you try use a tree for this task.
MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ
4 years ago
First Joseph - all trees are messy so you may want to rethink having one for the dining area. Even if you find a tree that does not drop litter, birds will perch and do what perching birds do......maybe think about a gazebo or other shade structure.

With that said, not all trees take 'many years' to grow a nice canopy. In 2008 we planted two mesquites and they provided good shade in just two years. Now however they are enormous and really nice shade trees but oh brother are they messy.

Check out this booklet which you can find for free at most nurseries and the public library:

Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert

Good luck! and let us know what you decide.
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Embothrium
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
not all trees take 'many years' to grow a nice canopy

So you had to wait two years for some relief from the sun - which you describe here as "good shade" without defining just what that consisted of. Whereas the original poster said they wanted a "large canopy shade tree", may therefore have been visualizing a much bigger and/or denser pool of shade than you got after only two years.

Also they were asking for one tree and you planted two.
Joseph Shipka
Original Author
4 years ago
I do appreciate all the help! My first thought was to put a mesquite or palo verde, but I like the look of the African Sumac. Just wanted some opinions. I have two pine trees so I understand that no tree with a large canopy is “easy” to clean up after.

Just wanted to throw it out there.
MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ
4 years ago
That's a nice looking tree. This board has been very slow the last couple of years or so. There used to be someone on here a lot, handle of TreeLover and she was very helpful with these types of questions but I think she moved away and does not check in much. Maybe you can find her if Houzz is searchable. But I don't think I have her handle quite right so I guess I'm not so much help. :-( Maybe she was AzTreeLvr......
MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ
4 years ago
Here's an interesting thread:

AZ Trees

Wow, and then I found this, by me!!

https://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/669887/

That was a fun walk down memory lane. I hope it's helpful to someone!

Shade Tree Recommendation: Outdoor Dining

MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ

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Embothrium

MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ

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Shade Tree Recommendation: Outdoor Dining

MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ

Comments (7)

Embothrium

MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ

Related Discussions

Embothrium

Joseph ShipkaOriginal Author

MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ

MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ

COMPANY

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GET HELP

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Joseph Shipka
Original Author