This branch falling was the sign I needed that it’s time to take down this failing pecan tree (freeze + drought + hypoxylon according to my arborist).
I need some recommendations for a tree I can put back in to help provide shade to the patio and the house.
- something that handles drought
- preferentially native but willing to compromise if it’s not invasive
- fast ish growing
- not too messy (don’t need more pecans)
- to be planted 12’ from house
by QuietBid13
10 Comments
Hmmm maybe a Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii).
Texas Persimmon – native and beautiful, just get a male one so you don’t have to worry about the persimmons.
Texas redbud
Mexican sycamore would grow quickly and provide good shade.
What’s your plan for the stump of the current tree?
Right now our top 3 would be:
1. Mexican Sycamore – Beautiful, grows like a weed, surprisingly drought tolerant, low maintenance besides water.
2. Monterrey Oak – Evergreen, no major diseases, fast growing,
3. Chinquapin Oak – Slower growing but extremely well adapted to our environment.
Monterrey Oak or Little Gem magnolia
Sycamore will be taller than your house in 5 years.
I would personally put in a Chinquapin Oak and be patient
I would say rusty blackhaw viburnum with little bluestem underneath for fall color.
Sycamores are kind of messy when they drop all their leaves in one day, I’ve never been a person that takes but I have to with that tree to avoid my neighbors complaining. I have a Montezuma cypress that I love and it does good with little water. I love a burr oak too, they are so nice on patios with their huge canopy.
[Central Texas tree guide is a great source](https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Watershed/growgreen/2_8_12_native_tree_growing_guide_for_central_texas.pdf)
So are you going to remove the pecan and put a new tree in its place? Bc usually you can’t plant a tree where one was. Any way, I’d not do something with aggressive root systems like oaks or a sycamore, it’ll mess up ur patio. So if you can tolerant something smaller, redbud, maverick honey mesquite, river birch, Mexican plum, Natchez crape Myrtle, Bigtooth maple. Also don’t listen to people suggesting a sycamore. They’re beautiful and grow fast but those big leaves will drop every year and it’s really messy not to mention the seed pods