hmmmm, we have a tree that we were told was a Shady Lady, and it definitely stains the patio, maybe not with fruit but the leaves leave dark stains when it rains. We also have 2 Other trees that we were told were Black Olives and they have similar but larger leaves than the Shady Lady and are dropping stuff all over the place now and also stain everything.

We put in our patio and pool around the existing trees which are very large and provide a lot of shade, however are very unhappy with the staining that occurs. If we were to start from scrach we would never put either of them near the patio or pool for that reason alone. We only put the patio and pool in last year, so we have not seen much in the way of lifting from the roots (yet).

Hi SusyQ there are two very similar trees. We have the Bucida buceras 'Shady Lady'. It does not bear fruit. It gets yellow blooms this time of year and I just noticed it has a fragrance. The tree is a beautiful shape, has umbrella shaped branches. We have it in the center of our front yard. There is another species that has razor like pods, though, and it gets fruit that will stain concrete, cars etc. As far as it having a problematic root system, we haven't noticed. I have seen them planted in developments very close to sidewalks and roads.
{{gwi:835131}}
{{gwi:835133}}

Cindeea, thanks for the pic. your tree is lovely, do the flowers drop and make a mess? not crazy about yellow, wish I could find another nice spreading tree for shade, no mess at all any idea's anyone? plan to also put on front lawn to shade two windows, already have a Magnolia and a Holly in front would like something different..

Hi susieq,

I used to have 3 shady ladies lining my shell driveway. They were gorgeous trees that provided almost dense shade. I really loved them and so did the birds. They had nests in them every year. I don't remember that there was any problem at all about invasive roots, but this was a shell driveway, not concrete. I think I would've noticed, though. What was difficult to miss was the brown staining on the driveway 2 or 3 months out of the year. This definitely was the shady lady variety like cindee shows. I frequently think about getting one on this property, but I would do it over grass like Cindee has done. They truly are lovely trees.

Another tree that comes to mind is a japanese fern tree. Not a very large tree, but I have found them to be one of the tidiest trees I know. Beautiful foliage, creates moderate to dense shade, but not too fast growing. I have 3 and have noted no bad habits- yet!

Anna

susie, being in the grass, we don't notice the flowers once they fall.

The City of Hollywood planted thousands of black olive trees during the 1970s in its medians, streets, sidewalks, circles, etc. Within ten years, these trees had wrecked havoc on the city. Lifted sidewalks, stained sidewalks, broken concrete, piles of dead leaves, these trees were a source of constant complaints. The city eventually removed and replaced every black olive since then. Residents were even allowed to remove their black olives without paying for a tree removal permit. I was a member of the Code Enforcement Board and remember that era well! Black olives are no longer planted in Broward County, for good reason!