Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) is a slow grower that loves water and it's habit is possibly not suitable, as it has a central leader rather than a spreading type of canopy. Lovely tree though for a moist part of the garden.

I like the 'Shademaster' Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos inirmis 'Shademaster'). It has a good spreading habit and lovely feathery foliage.

Of your list, the above two are the only ones that I know well. For a shade tree for the kids, I would definitely think about this Gleditsia.

(If the Gleditsia ever dies, don't let it regrow from the rootstock. The result would be a tree with long, vicious thorns.)

If I were buying a shade tree, I'd buy a healthy bare-rooted one from a good nursery, in Winter, which is the time for buying bare-rooted trees. I dislike trees in pots. There is simply far too much restriction on potted trees and it must sure ly effect them long term.

Another shadetree that I love is Sophora japonica. Lovely textured bark, spreading habit, good canapy - an attractive tree. HOWEVER, they do produce seed in pods which are a most unusual sort of pod, being that they resemble sultanas on strings, and are sticky. That happens in the Autumn. Apart from that, they are a lovely tree and I plan to grow one from a seed, would you believe, this Autumn.

Good luck.

The only one on your list that will reach near 40' (in your lifetime) would be the Honeylocust. Fall color won't be that great on most honeylocust.

Amur Chokecherry (like most Prunus) is short-lived in the Midwest and is a small tree to begin with. Both Ironwood and Carpinus are nice but will not approach 40' and will be slow growing. Tupelo would meet your size requirements but you would want to ensure an acidic pH and damp soil (also many cultivars are not fully hardy in zone 5). Paperbark Maple is another great tree but is quite slow growing. $1000 for a 10' tree is ridiculous unless the branching/top is very well-developed.

Other options include:

Crimson Sunset Maple (medium growth rate)

Redpointe Maple (fast growth rate)

Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple (fast growth rate)

State Street Maple (medium to fast growth rate)

Kentucky Coffeetree (starts out a little slow but grows quickly after established)

Butterflies Magnolia (would be a little slower growing but unique)

River Birch (fast growing)

Swamp White Oak or Heritage Oak (may grow over 40' but will be quite a while)

American Persimmon (will grow quickly after established and is unique)

Most of these will be available from local retailers or wholesalers. Keep in mind mature sizes are always approximate. It all depends on the site, care, and other factors how quickly a tree will grow and when its growth rate will slow as it begins to enter maturity. No tree will grow to 40' and stop. I would hope you could get (3) 10' trees for $1,000.00. Good luck!

Hi guys,

Thanks for your help. I will check out in the nurseries coming April. I think the Honey locust will probably be selected, though I will check the Katsura tree as well. My kids are still 2 years old and I really want to plant something to give shade as right now I have nothing besides 2' sticks.

Thanks again.

Of the trees you mention, I like the Tupelo, American Persimmon, Ironwood and Carpinus caroliniana best. Tupelo is known for Fall color.

Honeylocust don't have very good fall color and don't cast much shade...their leaves are small and sparse. That's often listed as a selling point...you can garden under them. Also kind of overplanted.

Hawthorn is kind of small for a shade tree.

It's another slow grower, but if you are thinking shade trees, I like beech. Sugar maple have good fall color.

I just bought a Shademaster honey locust from Nature Hills for $100. The nursery had a 2.5" caliper for $400, what I think is not a too bad of a price, but still $400.

Anyways, I hope I made the right decision.

Have everybody a good week.