Sycamore trees

they make a very good shade tree and do indeed grow fast. the only con is they are soft wooded so they can make quite a mess with twigs/leaves. they are also supposed to be susceptible to disease but ive never seen it on any of our properties. underrated tree imo

the figs can make quite a mess on pavement, ive never had to deal with it myself, but it seems like it is worth considering.

Sycamores might be favorite trees. The leaves are very large so it might be a little taxing to clean everything up but the shade they provide will make up for it.

Also to touch on the growth rate, they are indeed one the faster growing trees. Only cottonwoods, some pines and black willow grow faster.

Within 20 years I think you'd be looking at a DBH (diameter at breast height, gotta throw my forestry terms around) of around 10-11 inches.

Growing fast is the only positive, in 10 years you'll be raking big giant arse leaves, they cast off these huge seeds. Do yourself a favor and plant a shumardi red oak, fertilize the frick out of it and it'll grow its arse off. Good deal root system, grows tall.

There are a few down the street in my neighborhood. The leaves are out of control. May bring a guy from the Spring Bayou area to handle the issue.

This has to be one of the worst trees ever. I have a huge one in my front yard. It drops limbs constantly, the leaves are the size of dinner plates, it sheds its bark, and the seed balls are the worst. They are made up of sharp seeds and these very fine fibers that go EVERYWHERE. I wouldn't recommend to my worst enemy.

I have a few on my property, aside from the balls that they drop and the leaves. They are fine. It's a little difficult to mow under them with all those little balls slinging everywhere. I doubt I would ever purposefully plant one.

My river birch was dropping branches and leaves year round. It was very annoying. I got rid of it ASAP

Dont do it. Had three of those bastards in my backyard and cut them all down. The amount of gumballs they dropped were ridiculous. Sounded like a war going on when I would mow the grass certain times of the year. Even broke a window when one shot out from under the mower.

Look at planting some kind of maple. I planted a red maple on the western side of the house where the afternoon sun beats down on it and has made a big difference in just a couple of years.

Leaves. Lots and lots of leaves. Big ones.