Northern Catalpa is actually very messy. A tough tropical looking tree with big leaves and big flowers, but it drops large numbers of big seed pods. Not much fall color. Honey locust actually doesn't produce much shade...that's kind of a selling point, you can garden under it. The leaves are small and relatively sparse. The seedless variety are low mess. The others are very high mess. Tuliptree are very pretty, one of the few fast growing trees that aren't terrible. American Sycamore might be a good choice, but I hear they can be messy.

When I think shade tree I think American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), tricolor beech, Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), Black Gum, (Nyssa sylvatica). The last two have great fall color. Also there is Basswood (Tilia americana).

None of these are very fast growing, though. If you want fast growing, tulip tree or American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) are decent choices? Do you know if Sycamore are subject to diseases in your area?

Be aware that any fast growing tree will eventually outgrow the location, and will tend to have weak wood and drop branches.

Quercus rubra

Tilia americana

Gymnocladus dioicus

Metasequoia if tall, fast long lived and pyramidal for the first 100 or so years is ok. Your zone will slow them down a bit but in eastern Ohio I saw a row of 80+ footers.

American Elm "Princeton" or some other DED resistant elm.....the classic American shade tree

Thank you guys for taking your time to answer my questions. All trees suggested were good, but I think I will opt for the Red Oak, as it seems to be a safe bet.

Red oak is a solid tree. Pick personally in the fall to assure the best chance at good fall color.

If one Dawn Redwood won't do the job, plant two! ;-) Even one would eventually dominate your yard, as most of the other trees suggested.

Ogon would be my choice.

Mike

Hi guys,

I did not want to open another post, so I will ask here.

i bought my shade tree today. I was going to get a Scarlet Oak, and even had it mail ordered BUT i went to the store and spotted a Pin Oak, 6 foot tall, beautiful red fall color, and priced for just 8 bucks, so felt like buying it.

The only "problem" is that my beautiful Pin Oak has no leader, it is forked. It does not bother me statically, but I was wondering if it oils have any benefit long term to the tree if I cut one of the branches?

Here is a picture.

Cut the one on the right and plant it further from the house.

Mike

like 20 or 30 feet from the house ...

and why not start a new post... this had little to do with the original post ... actually... nothing to do with it...

so when the next person who comes along with a pin oak question... they will never find this ...

listen.... it needs to grow roots.. if you go cutting off.. half the canopy.. because you just cant wait... what will it process the sunshine with .... no leaves.. no stored energy ...

you can wait two or 3 years.. before cutting on it ...

ken

Don't wait until you move it 30 feet from the house. Do it as soon as you can.

I had it planted 30' way, the pic taken was the day I bought it and it was in a pot, by the garage.