Tulip poplars are fast growing trees but are one of the first to lose their leaves in the fall. I would still recommend one.

Pine trees are fast growers and, if well sited, don't have to be a potential hazard during storms.

Oaks are wonderful, but slow growers. Pin oaks is one of the fastest of the species, but tend to hold their leaves through the winter (and some people find that unattractive).

Maples are a medium growth tree and there are some great cultivars out there for fall color. I find they fall in the category: first year they sleep, second they creep and the third they leap.

If you can do without a monoculture, I would certainly recommend an assortment of trees. Keep in mind that pines make great short term fillers as they can easily be cut down (soft wood) and they do not leaving suckering trunks.

Hope that helps. Be sure to watch the path of the sun and hold up a stick to see where you want your shade to be at any given time of day. Plant your trees accordingly.

I definately don't want a monoculture. I guess I'll have to wander some nurseries and see whats available that I might want and can afford in a decent size. Now's the time for tree planting I suppose. Time to decide.

You might call the Georgia Forestry Service and ask for their little booklet on Trees.

Among my favorites are nyssa (Black Gum) for wonderful red fall color and Hickory for yellow fall color. Pecan is a good choice -- in a few years you will have nuts as a bonus for yourself and the squirrels.

Also look at understory trees like Dogwood, Redbud, Camellia sasanqua and Sassafras.

Don't forget about needled evergreens like junipers and cypress.

Nell

I love seeing a trio of River Birches in a front yard. They do need to be planted away from the house. They grow pretty fast.

PS - I'm not a tree expert but have experience with these trees. They don't give you the shade of an Oak tree but they are pretty and do give shade

The fastest growing tree that we've planted is the Sycamore...provides a great shade...of all the trees we've planted, Hollies, Magnolias, etcs....the Sycamore remains my favorite.

hmm. I think I'll look into the Sycamore, river birch and a green or white ash tree for starters. I already have my eyes on a deodor cedar. Maybe one of the nut trees too. Although I have a black walnut in my back yard that doesn't seem to be doing much.

Check out the Sawtooth Oak, it's a asian import noted for it's fast growth and wildlife food source. I think they co extremely well here. Just GOOGLE saw tooh oak and you'll read all about it. Pikes may carry them.

Doesn't the Sawtooth produce about a million acorns? And I know River Birches drop zillions of twigs all winter long. Both are good looking trees but, require a good deal of clean-up.

Don't fool with pines or birches; both are messy and vulnerable to weather. Go with one of the good varieties of Red Maple- fast growing (relatively), beautiful fall color, strong and not messy, great shade canopy. Old standbys, for a good reason, are October Glory and Red Sunset.

I put in a Bald Cypress several years ago. Although it is decidious, it looks like an evergreen most of the year. I love it's frilly, feathery 'fronds'. The Bald Cypress is a native tree, does well in wet or dry soil. Mine is in full sun. I bought it at Home Depot. The tree was balled and burlaped, around 6-7 feet including the ball. It is now at least 25 feet tall with maybe 4 feet of growth this year.

I looked online for a tree to cast shade on my roof, and the Zelkova has the right shaped canopy: a tall umbrella shape. You need to make sure the limbs have good structure, but it ain't no Bradford Pear and has many good qualities.