Hello Clay,

What about Aspen trees?

It is a medium sized tree growing to 50 to 80 feet tall, with a trunk up to 3 feet diameter. It is a very hardy species and tolerates long, cold winters and short summers.

Clay, one of the best days of my life was the day I had my beautiful weeping willow tree cut down that provided wonderful shade to my deck. It was a major pain for pool upkeep, skimming leaves 3-5 times a day.

Get an umbrella!!!!!!!

Think about eastern red cedar. It could be a nice option for you. It isn't too messy, and provides nice shade.

You would probably have difficulty in finding an aspen tree in Virginia, Clay, which might be a good thing as you would probably soon be cursing its suckering habit.

Here are three options for you to consider. You probably won't find them at a big box store, but any good, local nursery should have them, and they are worth seeking out.

• Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a beautiful shade tree with spectacular fall foilage ...»

The lacebark elm grows quickly and the leaf litter is small. Look for Athena or Allee,

Yellowwood is another lovely tree with summer blooms.

Oh, I love Yellowwood trees!!! I cut down an apple tree and soon will put a Yellowwood in it's place. Ornamental cherry trees also would make a nice shade tree with beautiful spring flowers. I love the Kwanzan Cherry. The Autumn Cherry will delight you with blooms in the spring and fall.

I have planted "River Birches" and while they do loose their leaves in fall, they grow quickly,as much as 6 feet per year.They also have a decorative bark.They can become tall and full but they are beautiful.Check them out

River Birch get huge and I would caution locating them near pavement such as a patio around a pool where they may eventually cause a problem, a great tree but it needs lots of space.

I lost a 10 year old River Birch tree this year. I have another one located in another part of my yard and it is fine. Both have the same light conditions so I am stumped!!!

How quickly did you river birch go, Judy. What symptoms did you first notice?

Judy, it may be that one of your river birches gets more moisture than the other or it is just the difference in individual plants.

Check the trunk and bark for signs of injury or insects.

about River Birch trees....I have one with three trunks(all joined together) and one trunk is starting to die from the top down (about 1/3 of it is dead). Should I top it or cut that trunk down as far as possible or just leave it alone. It's about 10 yrs. old and very large. I live in zone 8 in Louisiana.

Becky, it is hard to answer your question without seeing the tree. You can certainly cut out any part that is definitely dead, but I think this is a time when you may need to have someone come out and take a look. You can find someone in your area who is certified by the International Society of Arboriculture by using this link:

http://www.isa-arbor.com/faca/findArborist.a...

Douglas thanks for the info

You're welcome, Becky. Good luck with your birch.

River Birch! We put one in our side yard for the same reasons--grows quickly and will provide nice privacy.

I love the multi trunked riverbirch with the papery bark, betula nigre. However it does drop leaves a few times a year, but worth it! The roots tend to come above the ground and at times it is a nuicance for me

For those living in hot climates - GA, LA, FL,NC, SC, if you plant river birch,

take time to look for cultivars that are better adapted to take the heat such as 'Dura-heat' and 'Heritage' they also develop attractive bark, peeling, etc at a young age

I have 'Heritage' and am thinking of cutting one down. It is on the edge of the woods and the native trees have shaded it out. Maybe I will keep it just to look at the bark, since it does not produce many leaves. Although I have three others that are thriving. Decisions...Does the 'Dura-heat' have the same bark and leaf color?

Don't mean to be party pooper with the river birch option, but we had one that was adorable when we planted it (at 8-10 feet) in our front yard. Not sure of the variety. The bark was gorgeous and it had 3 trunks. The thing got so HUGE, with weeping limbs - and the roots were popping up in the lawn - which drove my husband CRAZY. Finally, after 4 years, my husband couldn't stand it any more and chopped it down. If you got one already, give it lots of space and don't plant near the pool coping.

Redbud makes a pretty shade tree, not too big and the roots grow down, not out so its ideal near structures. You will be skimming the flowers in the mid spring and leaves in the fall, but if the pool is covered at these times you wont have a problem. Though in Chesapeake, it may bloom early spring.