Message Boards

My husband and I were looking to buy a big shade tree. The tree will be placed in the middle of a field, (part of our side yard). There will be nothing close to the tree, even if it would happen to grow enormous. I already have a Bradford pear and a weeping willow tree in the front yard, so I would really like to get something different. I want something that will grow fast. I want a tree that's very eye catching, however I don't want to spend a great deal of money on it. I also want a tough tree...no evergreens or anything like that. I want something that will last through a windstorm. Overall we would just really like to have a tree that, one day, we'll be able to put a picnic table under, and be able to enjoy it. I'm looking to really make the field beside our yard, look like part of our yard. Any one have any ideas? Oh and by the way, we live in West Virginia. The deer are crazy here and I need a tree that they won't eat! They're eating my Bradford Pear, and it's so annoying to have to fight with them over my plants!
_____________________
http://www.getridofbedbugsathome.com/bed-bug-bites/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: petricabilo,

The description fast growing can lead to problems in the tree world. There are some, for example cottonwoods that grow fast and are a nuisance. Beware of anyone telling you about a poplar or a cottonwood, they grow fast but have lots of cotton type garbage that blows around in the spring and the tree limbs aren't very strong--in other words they break. What about a maple or some type of oak tree. What kind of leaf color do you want in the fall or doesn't it matter? I'd look for a healthy tree not just the caliper size. We bought a "red maple" because we wanted fall color, the joke was on us it has red buds in the spring. Wish I had room for a sugar maple, they are gorgeous in the fall.

I suggest that you look to your neighbors...
drive around and look over what's already in the area.
At least you'll have a better idea what the deer might leave alone and how big and what shape it might be.
Gardeners are very friendly and may be able to identify the tree and tell you more about it.
Take a photo if you have to, and try and get a leaf to show at the garden center.
My first thought would be a maple (not a Norway maple), but I don't think they are fast growing.
But they do have a nice color in fall as well.

Silver Maples are fast growing. But the problem with "fast growing" is they are not as strong as a slower growing tree.

My first choice would be Sweet Bay Magnolia...pretty sure they grow there.

Others you might consider I think would be October Glory or autumn Blaze Maples. Nice fall color to enjoy!

Noted to be fast growing are Poplar & Tulip trees.

Let us know what you decide! Nurseries can be a big help with this too!

If you want something to eventually put a picnic table under, then consider an oak, a pecan, or a wild cherry. All are strong trees. Problem is, it's hard to get your wish list in one tree. Fast growing does not equal stability or longevity. The maple trees already suggested are good trees and are semi-fast growing. With any of them, it will take a good ten years before you can expect some shade.

ve

I would go with a Sugar or Red Maple. The tulip tree is another good option.

Here's my "October Glory" red maple last fall. It has put on maybe 2 feet of growth since then. It isn't what you'd call "fast growing", but it grows fast enough that I can notice the difference year to year. (It's in its fourth season here in my yard. Was perhaps 9-10 ft. tall when planted.) It gives a surprising amount of shade for such a young tree. I'm very happy with it.

Photo on the left is the tree in morning light. On the right, at dusk on the very same day.

As the others said, fast growing trees are weak and short-lived. I'm not the most patient gardener, but some things are just worth the wait. Shade trees are one of them.

The nurseryman who planted my tree does have problems with deer damage on his stock trees. He uses trunk wraps to help with that, but I'm unsure they can be used permanently. I'm not sure whether any particular species of shade tree would be less susceptible to deer damage than another.

Of course, "not a great deal of money" is relative. I suggest you shop price at as many nurseries as you can. This tree was (I think) a 2-3" caliper and cost $135 after a 10% end of season discount. Labor to plant it was $90. Another nursery wanted $500 for the same size tree plus their labor. So it definitely pays to shop around. Fall is a great time to plant trees; no summer heat to stress them, and the clearance sales are nice.

Good luck with the decision.