Recommended shade tree for North Texas?

Question

I would like to plant a couple of trees in my backyard, which currently has none. It's not a huge area, but would support a tree in each back corner without any problems. What type would provide the most shade and least mess? Region is North Texas.

Answer 1

American Sycamore
The American Sycamore, Platanus occidentalis, is a very adaptabe and rugged tree. American Sycamore trees are fast growing, large shade trees with a massive trunk and a have a wide-spreading open crown of large crooked branches. This deciduous tree has a smooth almost white bark when mature. The bark will flake off in irregular thin pieces which give American Sycamore trees an impressive mottled appearance.

Sycamore trees have light green colored leaves that turn golden in the fall providing contrasting fall color. The American Sycamore has moderate water requirements and exhibits a moderate tolerance to salt and alkali soils. It is a very popular city tree for adverse urban conditions and soils




Autumn Purple Ash
The "Autumn Purple" White Ash, Fraxinus americana, 'Autumn Purple', is a seedless male tree and is a cultivar of the species which is native to moist areas. This fast growing White Ash tree grows 2/3 feet per year. It is almost pyramidal with a round top when young, but gradually slows down and develops an oval shape. Autumn Purple Ash trees prefer a sunny location.

This deciduous tree develops a consistantly outstanding deep red, maroon or purple fall color. There are few if any trees with longer lasting fall colors. The Autumn Puple Ash tree makes a great tall shade tree.