I don't know what tree to suggest, but pecan trees are notoriouis for dropping limbs. Esp. if you are in hurricane prone area, I would avoid that.

In my book, a good shade tree does earn it's keep, especially on the SW side of the house! An oak will be hardy (unless the new Sudden Oak Death overwhelms us -- shudder) and will at least provide acorns for critters that love them. Summer before last we had a willow oak about 12 feet tall planted where our maple had died. We found a man who brought one of those big digging machines with four teeth that lifted a big plug of dirt out of our yard, carried it off, lifted and transported the oak rootball with the same machine, and dropped it into the hole. The tree never knew it had been moved and was putting out new growth the next spring. We like the small leaves on the willow oak because they don't have to be raked up; they'll compost in place. :-)

There are also some good medium sized trees like the chinese pistache (which has fruit the birds love) or lacebark elm. These are both tough shade trees that should grow in your area.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Should have said our oak tree was planted in early winter, not summer. Makes a big difference.

Anyone know where to buy pecan or English walnut trees in TN or Alabama?

Are you trying to shade the windows or the roof? If just the windows, I suggest basjoo banana. It will shade your windows in summer and then you can cut them down for the winter and get that much wanted sun in the sunroom. We did this to the East and South windows of our dining room and it has worked out just great.