Looking for a smaller shade tree in VA?

Question

I live in Virginia and I need suggestions for a good shade tree that meets the following criteria:
  -Can't get more than 20-25 feet tall (we have overhead power lines and I can see the neighbors larger trees have been trimmed by the power company-they have killed several by over trimming)
  -Can't have roots that are invasive (so no willow's)
  -Needs to be fairly fast growing
  -Must be tolerant of heat and sun, drought (as this is now an ongoing issue in our state), but must have limbs that will take the ice storms of recent years
  -Prefer not to have something that will draw bees or drop fruit in the yard as this tree will be a living part of our families well used yard

I have been doing research for weeks and all the ones I like I find major down sides to. I have contacted our local extension agent but haven't gotten a reply. I want to tell my hubby to make the tree my mother's day gift (so we can get it planted soon) and I need to narrow my choices and decide on somethin

~♥Sasha♥~ · Accepted Answer

I live in Virginia, too.. The Richlands area, down in Southwestern VA.

I like flowering trees for shade, and they stay rather small. Most of them, anyway. Flowering Cherries are pretty.. 

As for small shades trees... 
Japanese Maples do not get any taller than 25 feet...

The Amur Maple gets to 15-18 feet.... 

=)

Anonymous · Answer

What about a dogwood.  It's not messy except for the blossom petals in spring and isn't a particular draw for bees.  Birds do like it however for the little berries on it in winter.  But the berries aren't messy like a hackberry tree is.  It meets your height requirements and will eventually give you some nice shade.

? · Answer

Small color tree is an oxymoron. color denotes that's some thing which will forged sufficient color to sit down lower than, etc. you in basic terms favor a small tree. You did not let us know what zone you stay, the position you stay, etc. each and each region has small timber/large shrubs that would want to in good structure your bill. also how small? Is Redbud too large? I admit, i'm a crabapple fan.......3 seasons of excitement: flora, fruit and fall colour. also decorative plum, serviceberry, crape myrtle (in hotter climates), hawthorns, hedge or Amur maple, dogwoods, tree lilac............etc.

Sandy G · Answer

Flowering cherry is lovely; Japanese snowbell is unusual and not too large; Japanese maple is probably too slow growing for you, but they are beautiful trees, don't grow too tall and last a long time; dogwoods are all time favorites, though they really don't take full sun all day - they prefer partial shade.

Anonymous · Answer

My favorites are dogwoods, but here is a list for you to check out.  Click each name and it will tell how tall they grow and a picture:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/treelists/summerflowering.html

weather · Answer

crape myrtles. they will flower all summer as well

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/Muskogee.htm

also grows very fast, and not very tall. also can be trimmed so it wont die if it does reach the power lines

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Looking for a smaller shade tree in VA?

6 Answers