This the south side of my house that takes a lot of the afternoon sun. It's about 25' from the house to the fence. Are there any good fast growing shade trees recommended that will eventually get me some shade on the side of the house? For reference, I'm south of Houston.

I have no idea what kind of tree this is, but have a few of them in our yard.

As Dewey Compton and Bill Zak use to say on the morning Garden Show, "FAST GROWING is FAST DYING". I would Google Randy Lemmons dozen trees for the Houston area and read about what best suits your area. Better yet contact your County Agent and they can advise you.




https://randylemmon.com/trees/randys-top-twelve-trees/

That looks like a lacebark elm

Those with elm trees need to be aware that the emerald ash borer is hitting Texas big time in the North Texas area now. Concern is that it is highly invasive and will be state wide before too long. Attacks elm trees.


https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/invasive-tree-killing-emerald-ash-borer-found-in-dallas-county/2972613/

https://www.texasinvasives.org/emeraldashborer/

https://www.texasinvasives.org/emeraldashborer/

Bradford Pear

Tree Selector

I've been happy with a Texas Ash I planted a while back, but I'm in Round Rock.

I planted a Lacey Oak (I'm in Central Texas) in 2020 when it was 2 years old. It's now about 25ft tall and providing lots of shade for our back patio and kitchen area that faces west.

Not sure if a cedar elm is good that far south but we planted one in DFW three years ago and it's really filling out. They are native hardwoods to North Texas.

Aggieland Black Thumb here
Male Chinese Pistachie is #1 has been a faster grow than Cedar Elm as #2 that lasts a bit longer
BOTH
self propogate in non-mowed spots (female CP)
are deciduous
over 30ft ht
shade width not as grand as a Live Oak as #3, which is planted same year over 25ft from anything and would be the survivor should the other two die early

All above tolerate
alkaline sodium rich tap water in slow deep soaked
drought
clay soils
pests

#4
My tall variety crepe myrtles can also boast the same accolates, which are 25ft from house.
Now over 25yrs old, no grass grows in all that shade, so some will plant drawf mondo grass as a lawn

Pro advice could comment on your email photos:
https://kamu.tamu.edu/radio/radio-programs/garden-success/

Whatever tree you plant, remember to water and prune accordingly. Don't just plant it and not tend to it.

We have a chinese pistache that has been a life saver in our front yard because we face West. 6 years now and it's 25 ft tall, 25 ft wide and great shade for the front door/windows. It was probably 8 feet in height after we planted it and had a 2 inch diameter trunk.

Just a little outside the box, but 25' isn't a whole lot of room for a large shade tree.

Possibly consider something smaller and do a small row of (or combination of)...
- Little Gem or Teddy Bear Magnolias
- Nellie R. Stevens Holly in tree form or large shrub
- Waxleaf ligustrum
- Vitex
- Desert Willow
- Texas Star Hardy Hibiscus

I fully get that and probably going to settle on something medium-ish. Wasn't planning on a live oak or anything like that for a variety of reasons. But I figured anything of decent size could help.

Right. I know for our property I created a large garden beds on each side of the house with large shrubbery, ornamental trees and other landscaping for dual purpose of shading the home and aesthetics.