We recently moved Houston and are considering planting either an Autumn Blaze Maple or Schumardii Red Oak. We would like to know how each thrive in the Houston area. Do both trees obtain maximum fall color as they would up north? Are both disease resistant? Please provide any info contrasting these two trees.
Autumn Blaze Maple vs. Schumardii Red Oak
How large is the area you want to be under the canopy of the tree you plant? You need to consider the ultimate size of the tree or you'll be creating a big headache for yourself in the future.
With Shumardii Red Oaks you have to be very sure about the tree's origin as a tree grown from stock in acidic soil will not thrive in alkaline soils. It is a very large tree, ~100'+ X 80'. It can be very expensive to remove a tree that has outgrown it's location.
http://www.floridata.com/ref/q/quer_shu.cfm
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/quercusshumardii.htm
Autumn Blaze Maple is not as large, 50' X 50', but you would be growing it outside it's recommended plant hardiness zone which is 7 or 8, depending on where you look. Also, it colors best in acidic soils. If you have black gumbo soil, you have basic soil.
http://forestry.about.com/cs/treeid/a/aut_blaze_mapl%20.htm
http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_e87a.html
Have you considered looking at native trees? Or small ornamental trees?
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/
This site has a weath of information:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/
Can't contrast, but I am your neighbor to the north up in Tomball. Planted a shumard 3 years ago in a area that did not have great drainage. It hung on for the first two years, but is really doing well this spring. Sorry to tell you, but with any tree in our area you won't get the color that you get in the north ) : it's a bummer I know, but when you have your shorts on outside in february, you may decide it is worth the lack of color - -