re: Fast growing shade trees

Don't plant a Bradford pear. They fall apart after 7-8 years. Branches grow in their joints and split off. They also seem to fall over completely in high winds.

Is this in south Louisiana?

Get 3-4 oaks, and something with a good fall color. If you don't have a lot of deer around, you can plant a row of emerald green arborvitaes to shield you from the neighbors and provide a privacy screen higher than the typical fence. Cypress is a good tree for the low spots.

Four or five crepe myrtles between the sidewalk and curb will look nice in a few years.