May I ask which nursery? (You can email me, if you want.)

Unless you are considering some special kind of ash that I don't know about, they are known to develop large surface roots, especially when planted into clayey soils.

Most Ash are rapid growers, but this translates into weak wood in this case. Many get to be quite large, which is why they are often planted as a street or parking lot tree, where they fail miserably. Female trees produce a lot of litter associated with the fruit, but most of the named cultivars are male. Some species are very prone to insects, borers especially, though aphids and scale top the list, too. Black sooty mold would develop on anything underneath your ash tree, including furniture. Their tendency to drop limbs and branches all over the place has not endeared them to property owners who plant them too near a patio, driveway, DECK, etc. Ash trees are on the 'do not plant' list of many municipalities around the country.

I'm TRYING to think of something good to say about them! They make great handles for tools, and don't they make baseball bats out of them?

If you will let me know which Ash cultivar you are interested in, I can do a more detailed search for you. I am very serious about there being a variety that I am not familiar with.

Thank you sooo much. I had already researched them on line and in my tree book, but wanted a personal opinion.
It was Huntsville Nurseries on Leeman Ferry Rd. Huntsville. I thought the young man said it was a Purple Ash, but not sure. You sound like you are knowledgeable about trees. What is a good one that grows pretty fast and makes a good shade for a deck, other than oaks which I understand are slow growing. How about Elm? Another one the nursery mentioned. I had emphasized one with no surface roots. they want to make a sale, I guess.

There is a Purple Autumn Ash. In general, ash is simply not a tree for the south. Even if the genus wasn't famous for large surface roots, these trees are so prone to problems in the warmer parts of the country.

Though no one can guarantee you that there will be NO surface roots on large growing trees, there are certainly known tendencies amongst plant families. Oaks and most elms can be a problem, but I will suggest one group of elms worth looking into.

Ulmus parvifolia (Lacebark Elm) and its cultivars have pretty good reputations in this regard. The 'Drake' Elm, in particular might be a good choice for you. Other cultivars include 'Allee', 'Pathfinder', 'Athena'. These trees don't mature as huge as all of the others you've mentioned, too, which is probably a good thing. 50 feet tall is probably largest these would get at maturity.

I would avoid any other elm species, like American Elm, Siberian Elm, etc. Don't purchase one without a species and cultivar label from the grower....Siberian Elms (which are terrible trees) are often sold as Lacebark Elm.

What ever you get, make sure that it is planted into native soil, NOT improved soil and improved backfill. Your tree will be much better off planted a little bit high right into our red clay. Good luck, and if I can answer any other questions, please let me know.

I have a native ash tree on my lawn in SE Huntsville that was part of the forest here before the house was built 18 years ago. The ash, oak & hickory trees on my lawn create too much shade for the bermuda grass, so beneath them I am growing azaleas, hostas, a dogwood, tricyrtis, hellebores, & other groundcovers. A few roots poke into the lawn but I can't tell which of the 3 trees they are from. They have not been a great problem, as the lawn mower goes right over them and I have planted the above shade garden right up to the trunks with no problems. The are also close to the sidewalk and have not raised the concrete either. The ash is dropping seeds right now, but not too many.

Naturelover,e-mail rosec and get her/his address. Then go visit and get several of those seeds. Plant them in pots of starting soil and next spring transplant the biggest stronget looking one.
Sounds like Rosec has a native ash that doesn't have large above ground roots. They make a beautiful tall, straight tree.

Much, much thanks to all who sent info. about ash and also elm. I think I will forgo either of them. At this point I am thinking I will simply build a roof over half of the deck. Although I do have a tree that is part of the native trees at the far back of our yard. It has lovely kind of star shaped leaves and no surface roots or any balls or tags etc. I think I will take a few leaves to a nursery and see if they have one and find out the name of it. Thanks again to all.

There are several Oaks that are relatively fast growing that you could check out. The Red Oak, Willow Oak and the Water or sometimes called Black Oak. Also, if you want some that really grow fast take a look at Yellow Poplar(Tulip tree) and Sycamore. Only plant Sycamore if the ground stays moist year round, otherwise they will die if the roots get too dry. Check nurseries in your area for their recommendations. Good luck with the trees.