I live in Deport Texas, north east of dallas in cotton country. I have a 3/4 acre lot with an area about 75" * 200 that is bare, I would like to plant some trees there for shade / birds etc...

I will water and care for the trees as needed so they will not be abandoned to the wild. Currently the land has a mix of weeds, st augustine and wild grass on it which I mow once a week. There is a natural tree break about 200 yards away on one side and our house sits about midway but there is lots of wind in this part of Texas.

If it matters I am surrounded by soybeans and cotton and the farmer sprays the fields in the summer. This has not affected the weaping willows, apple and pear trees that are already around the house.

What would you recommend planting in black land? It would also be nice to have something that will be taller than me before I die

I am also torn between removing or severely pruning one willow because it is over and among the power lines on the back side of the yard - can I just prune it back from the lines?

Thanks, John

The one tree type I'd avoid is Elm, just because you're in Cotton Country and many Elm varieties are susceptable to Cotton Root Rot.

A nice mix of trees to choose from would be Shumard Red Oak, Bur Oak, Blackjack Oak, Texas Ash, Shantung Maple, and Dessert Willow.

_________________
Shepherd of the Trees
It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields we know so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.

Thank you for the reply, now I just need to find a supplier. I suppose I am headed to the metroplex to find a decent nursery

John