Shade tree replacement

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jpolk34 Hattiesburg, MS(Zone 8a) May 04, 2006

Hi, I recently lost a large mature oak tree(I think it was a water oak) that shaded my backyard deck. I love the look and shape of Live oaks, but don't feel like waiting 20+ years for it to shade some of my deck. I was considering a faster growing tree alternative to a live oak, but still want something with that canopy/umbrella shape that I love about live oaks. I was considering a Drake elm and I also saw a picture on the web @ arborday of a tree called a Japanese Zelkova that seemed to have the shape and size I was looking for. Any suggestions or recommendations? I live in south Mississippi, I believe its zone 8.

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StarhillForest Illinois, IL(Zone 5b) May 04, 2006

Live oaks will grow fast when they're young if you treat them really, really well -- faster than Zelkova. Ask LiveOakLady how quickly the little one she planted in her front yard in Metairie became the dominant tree on the block. Get a well-grown medium-sized one, not too large -- plant it properly, get rid of all the grass-root competition, and water the heck out of it for the first two years.

Guy S.

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escambiaguy Atmore, AL(Zone 8b) May 04, 2006

Shumard oaks are gaining popularity in the south. They are fast growing and have nice fall color. You should be able to find them at Lowes, Home Depot, or any good nursery. Just make sure not to buy one that is root bound. I agree about the Live oaks though, they are faster growing than most people think.

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StarhillForest Illinois, IL(Zone 5b) May 05, 2006

Quoting:
I planted a live oak on the occasion of the birth of a grandson. By the time he was 10 years old it was shading the entire front yard and is now, 17 years later, the largest tree in the neighborhood. The trunk, four feet from the ground, has a girth of 7 feet. Live oaks grow quickly for the first 50 years then slow down.-- LiveOakLady

LOL just posted this on the duplicate thread so I'm pasting it in here to have all the responses in the same place.

Guy S.

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