We have a relatively new house in the Pearland area with nothing in the back yard but grass. We're working towards some DIY landscaping trying to use native plants (at least to North America) where possible.

We're considering planting a yellow poplar as the main shade tree. Tree would be located about 35' from the house in full sun. Soil is reasonably well drained at this location but very clay heavy. Any thoughts on using a yellow poplar? Or other tree recommendations? We've also considered Texas ash, silver bell, and redbuds. Wife doesn't want any oaks or crepe Myrtle's.

Yellow poplars can reach 300 years of age. Pretty trees. I would ditch the Texas Ash. How about a maple?

pocketrockets06 said:

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We have a relatively new house in the Pearland area with nothing in the back yard but grass. We're working towards some DIY landscaping trying to use native plants (at least to North America) where possible.

We're considering planting a yellow poplar as the main shade tree. Tree would be located about 35' from the house in full sun. Soil is reasonably well drained at this location but very clay heavy. Any thoughts on using a yellow poplar? Or other tree recommendations? We've also considered Texas ash, silver bell, and redbuds. Wife doesn't want any oaks or crepe Myrtle's.

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If you want something that will attract wildlife, plant a Mayhaw. My parents had a couple in the backyard over in Friendswood (same kind of soil) and they absolutely thrived and grew very fast.

Could be wrong but I think redbud is going to want better soil than that.

Cutting out oaks and crepe myrtles is making it harder before you even get started.

Wax myrtle might be a good option for large shrubs/ fencelines.

CS78 said:

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Could be wrong but I think redbud is going to want better soil than that.

Cutting out oaks and crepe myrtles is making it harder before you even get started.

Wax myrtle might be a good option for large shrubs/ fencelines.

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My parents had a redbud planted in the same yard/soil as the mayhaws in Friendswood and I don't think it made it beyond 10-12'. The mayhaws were 30-35' high last time I drove by the house.

Any chance you can go with live oaks and find a new wife?

American Ash and Red Oaks I find to be the best all around trees.

I've done several projects for city of pearland over the years-I had actually accepted city forester position in 1996 until my old boss convinced me to stay with him.
One of the best trees you can plant down there is cedar elm.

Why no oaks? If I had one tree in my yard my first 5 choices would all be oaks. I have 9 species in my yard. Shumard, nutall and burr oaks are some of my favorites.

If you are interested in native plants the poplar isn't native to this area.

Red maple, loblolly pine, cedar elm, sycamore, and river birch are all native trees that would be backyard suitable. I have at least one of each.

ThatOneGuy said:

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Why no oaks? If I had one tree in my yard my first 5 choices would all be oaks. I have 9 species in my yard. Shumard, nutall and burr oaks are some of my favorites.

If you are interested in native plants the poplar isn't native to this area.

Red maple, loblolly pine, cedar elm, sycamore, and river birch are all native trees that would be backyard suitable. I have at least one of each.

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Several of those probably won't do well at all in the heavy clay soils down there. They will want more well drained soil.

Go to Enchanted Forest Nursery. Look at the trees there, ask Clay Linderman what he would recommend.

Yellow poplar is rather uncommon in Houston area, not sure why.

Personally I would plant a Green Ash in heavy Pearland clay.

https://www.myenchanted.com/enchanted-forest

Bur oaks are my favorite

In Pearland also and planted Mexican Sycamore and Red Leaf Maple. Both are thriving being in the ground 2+ years now. Best part is I've never had to rake a single leaf. Both types of leaves crumble or are easily turned to powder with the mower, and I can walk barefoot in my yard without those God-awful acorns! Never again will I have oaks.

Just to add, at my previous house I planted tulip poplars and had a tough time getting them to thrive. Not sure if it was the soil or what, but I could just not get them to flourish like they should. I see them every now and again when I drive by the old house and I'm pretty sure they're dead. Looks like the new owners didn't take care of them.

ApachePilot said:

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Bur oaks are my favorite

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I was going to suggest Bur oak but his wife nixed them.
We planted several Bur's at the ranch 30 years ago and they are huge!! Tons of shade at about 10 years.

Animal Eight 84 said:

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Go to Enchanted Forest Nursery. Look at the trees there, ask Clay Linderman what he would recommend.

Yellow poplar is rather uncommon in Houston area, not sure why.

Personally I would plant a Green Ash in heavy Pearland clay.

https://www.myenchanted.com/enchanted-forest

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My parents have a green ash on their property (Pearland as well) and it's HUGE! Probably close to 30-40 years old and easily the prettiest tree on the whole place.

One thing to consider with ash trees is the future possibility of emerald ash borer coming to the area.

It is always wise to plant a variety of genus and species so a pathogen doesn't wipe out everything you have at once.
(See the oak wilt problems on main campus due to a monoculture of Live Oaks)

Couldn't agree with this more!

Soil pH is too high for yellow poplar to thrive in pearland. Phosphorus levels in most soils down there too high as well.

ThatOneGuy said:

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Why no oaks? If I had one tree in my yard my first 5 choices would all be oaks. I have 9 species in my yard. Shumard, nutall and burr oaks are some of my favorites.

If you are interested in native plants the poplar isn't native to this area.

Red maple, loblolly pine, cedar elm, sycamore, and river birch are all native trees that would be backyard suitable. I have at least one of each.

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Please don't plant a sycamore. You will make a lifetime enemy of your neighbor to the north.

Martin Cash said:

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ThatOneGuy said:

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Why no oaks? If I had one tree in my yard my first 5 choices would all be oaks. I have 9 species in my yard. Shumard, nutall and burr oaks are some of my favorites.

If you are interested in native plants the poplar isn't native to this area.

Red maple, loblolly pine, cedar elm, sycamore, and river birch are all native trees that would be backyard suitable. I have at least one of each.

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Please don't plant a sycamore. You will make a lifetime enemy of your neighbor to the north.

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Canada or Oklahoma?

Martin Cash said:

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ThatOneGuy said:

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Why no oaks? If I had one tree in my yard my first 5 choices would all be oaks. I have 9 species in my yard. Shumard, nutall and burr oaks are some of my favorites.

If you are interested in native plants the poplar isn't native to this area.

Red maple, loblolly pine, cedar elm, sycamore, and river birch are all native trees that would be backyard suitable. I have at least one of each.

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Please don't plant a sycamore. You will make a lifetime enemy of your neighbor to the north.

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I always laugh when someone complains "x" tree drops too many leaves. Just about every tree in Houston does. And then you get the fruit and nuts on top.

Sycamore will drop just about the fewest, largest, easiest leaves to pick up once a year.

AgLA06 said:

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Martin Cash said:

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ThatOneGuy said:

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Why no oaks? If I had one tree in my yard my first 5 choices would all be oaks. I have 9 species in my yard. Shumard, nutall and burr oaks are some of my favorites.

If you are interested in native plants the poplar isn't native to this area.

Red maple, loblolly pine, cedar elm, sycamore, and river birch are all native trees that would be backyard suitable. I have at least one of each.

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Please don't plant a sycamore. You will make a lifetime enemy of your neighbor to the north.

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I always laugh when someone complains "x" tree drops too many leaves. Just about every tree in Houston does. And then you get the fruit and nuts on top.

Sycamore will drip just about the fewest, largest, easiest leaves to pick up once a year.

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To each his own, but I beg to differ. I raked my neighbors huge sycamore leaves for 30 years before the thing thankfully died. (The tree, not the neighbor)

Our front yard already has two oaks and they are doing well. Other than my allergy to oak pollen I wouldn't mind another one.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Well look also at the green ash and the cedar elm.

I want to plant a bunch more trees around my property. Half the property drains well and the other half doesn't, but I want to make sure things I plant will thrive. How do I go about getting a soil sample and figuring this out? Should my first stop be the agrilife extension for my county?

SanAntoneAg said:

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Any chance you can go with live oaks and find a new wife?

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I have 4 lives oaks and 1 wife. You can have all 5 if you like

malenurse said:

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SanAntoneAg said:

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Any chance you can go with live oaks and find a new wife?

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I have 4 lives oaks and 1 wife. You can have all 5 if you like

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How big are they?

Doesn't matter. All of them are high maintenance

Sea Speed said:

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I want to plant a bunch more trees around my property. Half the property drains well and the other half doesn't, but I want to make sure things I plant will thrive. How do I go about getting a soil sample and figuring this out? Should my first stop be the agrilife extension for my county?

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https://soiltesting.tamu.edu/

CS78 said:

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Sea Speed said:

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I want to plant a bunch more trees around my property. Half the property drains well and the other half doesn't, but I want to make sure things I plant will thrive. How do I go about getting a soil sample and figuring this out? Should my first stop be the agrilife extension for my county?

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https://soiltesting.tamu.edu/

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Awesome thank you. Which would you suggest?

Ive only done the routine. Might test multiple locations. Especially if you can see a difference in the soil.

Awesome. Thanks.