Help! Need conifer/evergreen tree suggestions for Texas

Our new mobile home park owners, who are otherwise wonderful and dedicated to preserving and planting trees and putting the "park" in mobile home park, has outlawed all "cedar" trees (really junipers) as a pest and allergen and is systematically removing all of them (one of mine has already been cut down, as well as a mulberry - another banned tree). I have a baby eastern or wester red cedar (I've forgetton the actual name) that he missed but I can't let it grow. However, I really, really, want some triangle-ish, tall, evergreen love in my part sun garden.

1) Is his tree fear correct? Are all "cedars" (junipers) horrible allergy beasts? Because they are all going, he doesn't care about particulars or species.

2) What would you recommend for north cental texas, zone 7b, that is evergreen, moderate to fast growing, and can tolerate light shade? Oh, and isn't in the juniper family. Pine is ok, but I don't really have room for a needle monster.

*weeping silently for the lost trees*

1) No, although there are some people who suffer from cedar fever and those who have contact allergies so perhaps your new owners fall into both categories (like me) and they just want them gone because they are in a position to dictate that they be removed. I personally feel it is absolutely ridiculous to cut down all Cedars labeling them as allergens. For what it's worth, they're not going to be able to avoid the pollen floating around and I'm pretty sure it's only the males that cause the problems anyway. Sheesh, the pollen is airborn and is going to float in from everywhere on air currents. Texas has Cedar everywhere. What are they going to do- cut down any and all cypress and sequoia too? I have contact issues with cedar and will get hives and welts all the way up my arms when I touch these plants. Big deal, I wear rose gloves these days. As far as the pollen; if you have these types of allergies you bathe your dogs more regularly so they don't bring the allergen in your home and into your bed on their coats, you shut your windows and turn on the a/c, and take a lot of showers to get it off of yourself. We have HEPA air filteration on our furnaces and we bought air purifiers for our bedrooms because my doctor told me the most important room to keep allergen free was the bedroom where we sleep for 8 hours or so a night. They weren't all that expensive either but the replacement filters do add up over time. There are a lot of over the counter allergy medications and since when the Cedars start pollinating is predictable, I suppose one could start popping whatever their pharmacist recommends or break down and go to their doctor and get have something prescribed. I just don't quite understand how one can avoid the cedar pollen by cutting down all of the cedars in their immediate area. It's sort of like spraying for mosquitoes. You spray in one area and more blow in. Maybe I'm completely off base here but cutting down all Cedars and Junipers defies logic.

2) Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata)
I've always liked the looks of this Pine although maybe you had a Spruce in mind.

You could consider China Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) or Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodora).

Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis) is a very, very slow grower. While its ultimate height is 20 to 30 feet, it takes decades to reach that. Bonus: Pine nuts are delicious. Next time you are in town, stop by a national chain bookstore and browse through the garden section. I know that Barnes and Nobel has a large section on Texas Gardening. Neil Sperry's Complete Guide to Texas Gardening is a really good source.

I get far more allergy response from Pine pollen than any cedar (Thuja & Cedrus). I'd say they are a bit misguided and as Equil mentioned they are acting locally for an issue that is really global. You might want to mention your intentions because it sounds like anything coniferous would be hacked. Do they really know their plant ID? Do they have a plan in place?

I like Cunninghamia, especially glauca. There was a plant that I took pics of a few months ago that really stood out - Thujopsis dolabrata - which has sprays of growth like a typical cedar (Thuja plicata), much larger and deep green. Although its also in the Cupressaceae family I think they may approve. This plant was very ornamental and pleasing at close-range, seemed to do well in shaded or sunny location and just looked good. It got my list of "what I want".

Thanks guys for your tips!

I agree about the allergen thing, and well, place looks funny missing all those red cedars. :(

I'm scared to get anything that looks anything like a Juniper, so I'll look up the suggest trees to get an idea.

bettydee, I have lots of books on Texas Gardening, but not that one, I'll be sure to pick it up!

If pine, it should be American. Our native pine wilt worm kills Scotts and some
other imports quickly.
Larry