Tree suggestions for Backyard. (Houston, Spring: house, landscaping, neighborhoods)

[SpringTexas]

I live in Spring, TX. My house has about 1000 Sq. Ft. backyard space. I'm planning on planting couple of trees for shade.
Somebody suggested me Live Oak, but looks like those grow really big and the root system spreads fast as the tree grows.

Please suggests me some trees, which does not grow too big and has a smaller footprint.

Also, please suggest any landscaping companies in North Houston who would deliver/plant those trees.

Thanks.

[EasilyAmused]

Personally I love to plant River Birches where ever I go. Big and leafy, yet allow sunlight in the winter. Live Oaks are monsters and you need a huge yard for them. Post Oaks are ugly in my opinion. Laurel Oaks are rather nice though

[tstone]

I'll add water oaks to the above.


http://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/tr.../oak_water.jpg

[Wysiwyg]

I'd stick with Crape Myrtles. Seeing the effects of the recent hurricane I have even less good experience with oak trees.
Does any one know what specific type of myrtles grow in the downtown parks?

[Poltracker]

Crepe Myrtles are really messy. I would suggest that you contact the county extension agent, go here: Harris County Extension Horticulture Program (http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort/index.htm - broken link) and contact a master gardner for advice. This is also a good resource: Texas Tree Selector

[icon7]

in my old home in Sugar land I had 3 Live oaks they were about 30-35 feet tall and wide...not a single branch broke during IKE. With Proper trimming and watering, you should not have issues. I know that a lot of oaks that were not well trimmed and not watered for that lost a lot of branches.

Originally Posted by Wysiwyg

I'd stick with Crape Myrtles. Seeing the effects of the recent hurricane I have even less good experience with oak trees.
Does any one know what specific type of myrtles grow in the downtown parks?

[travelguy_73]

My old Westbury house had large water oaks in the front yard, and they were beautiful and provided a ton of summer shade, while letting the sunlight in for part of the winter (being deciduous and all). I currently have a ~80 year old red oak in my back yard that towers over my two-story home. It is amazing and barely dropped anything during Ike.

You asked for a shade tree, but exactly how long are you willing to wait for shade? Unless you are going to live there for a long time, you won't really see much benefit from a quality (i.e., slow-growing) hardwood shade tree. So, are you looking long-term, or want something to "fill a space" while you live there? If the former, then red oak and water oak are good options. Perhaps cypress, though they do get messy.

If the latter, then river birch is a nice option. It will grow faster than a typical oak, and will provide some beautiful foliage and bark. It won't get nearly as large, and isn't considered a shade tree, except for the fact that it throws off some shadows .

WYSIWYG: I believe that the crape myrtles that are being used around town are the Natchez variety. They seem to be favored by commercial landscapers as they don't get as tall as what you find around older neighborhoods, and seem to leaf and bloom more heavily.

[westres1]

The Chronicle had an article last week about trees that tolerate Hurricanes well. Pine was not on the list but I think Post Oaks were.

[Wysiwyg]

Originally Posted by travelguy_73

WYSIWYG: I believe that the crape myrtles that are being used around town are the Natchez variety. They seem to be favored by commercial landscapers as they don't get as tall as what you find around older neighborhoods, and seem to leaf and bloom more heavily.

Thanks. I saw some crape myrtles near Angelika/parking area and I liked those real mature ones very much, looks like trees with muscles. wonder how old they are

[cla]

Also look at Wax Myrtles and the Chaste Tree. Both can be grown as shrubs or small trees.

Here is a great site for very detailed information about plants in Texas...

TPWD:Texas Plant Information Database