I lost my 50ft live oak in the front yard to Hurricane Frances.

My front yard is naked.

The oak had formed a canopy over my driveway and the street - a natural carport. During the hurricane this was a detriment but I just parked my car on away from the tree.

I want to plant another shade tree or a few small shade trees to replace the oak to eventually provide a driveway canopy again.

I've been searching and trying to merge several selection criteria:

+ tolerate coastal environment (7 blocks from the ocean)

+ tolerate high winds (don't want to think about another Hurricane Frances)

+ provides shade

+ isn't messy (drops big seed pods, or has babies everywhere)

+ 60 ft max height. (I have to watch out for power lines and don't want it too close to the house.)

I don't care if it's a slow or quick grower.

I'd like to plant another live oak, but a horticulturalist told me it is not a good idea to plant the same tree since it will be more susceptible to getting the diseases of the prior tree.

Any suggestions as to what would be some decent candidate trees to investigate?

Thanks,

Mike