I TOO AM A NEW HOMEOWNER AND AM LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS FOR A GOOD SHAPE TREE. I LIVE IN SOUTH TEXAS IN A NICE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE GOOD LANDSCAPING IS ENCOURAGED. WOULD LIKE A TREE THAT GROWS OUTREACHING LIMBS GOOD FOR CLIMBING OR A SWING THAT CAN TOLERATE THE HEAT AND MILD TO MED. WINTERS. WOULD LIKE TO PUT ON IN THE FRONT YARD AND ONE IN THE BACK YARD, DOES NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE THE DAME ONE.

USDA zone, soil type, exposure, purpose, form...

Dan

Please don't use ALL CAPS, it is considered screaming and offensive.

USDA Zone 4, Soil type (I am an idiot here so I will say my contractor brought in anything he could find unfortunately but mostly a mix of clay and black dirt. It must be a little sandy because it drains real well and I am in the Missouri River Valley Area), Exposure, Full sun. As I said, there is nothing around. Purpose, again shade. As far as form goes, I am not sure.

I have done some browsing on this website but not a lot. What I have found are a lot of trees I shouldn't plant. I am looking for some suggestions of great trees in my area. I have reviewed some info from the ISU extension office as well. I want something tough, that is wind resistant.

Thanks

rebel & revel,
Bur oak, Q.macrocarpa, is native to both your states, tolerant of a wide range of soil types & pHs, is tough as nails once established, and in my experience growing seedling selections over the past 15 years, will grow as fast as any other oak - and will challenge some of the maples - but they're not brittle or prone to wind or ice damage.
Largest leaves of the North American oaks, corky bark, even on 1-2 yr old twigs, the quintessential 'stately(or spooky )old tree' when mature. Not much in the way of fall color, but they're great the other 49 weeks of the year.
Local biotypes will be your best bet, but I've noted fastest growth on seedlings from acorns collected in the southern/midwestern portions of its native range(OK, TX, MO)

Really? You noticed Bur oaks growing as fast as northern red or shumard oak or willow oak?

As for the OP's question, I don't have any experience in that area but in addition to the somewhat more sought after trees you could plant some hackberry. The wind + soil + zone 4 or below tolerance plus fast growth, easy x-plant, fairly low price tag and native & wildlife value (birds love the fruit)You've got a few acres. Might as well.

Sorry forum police, now any suggestions on trees.

revel, Tuliptree (not to be confused with Tulip Poplar).

What is the scientific name for the tuliptree of which you speak?