Looking for dog-friendly recommendation

I want to plant a dwarf tree or bush in my dog's cage. The pen gets full sun all day and it would be nice for them to have some shade. Looking for something fast-growing and hardy - the dogs are medium-size and they play rough sometimes. Anyone have any suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by Polly McDaniel on April 25, 2009 at 8:30am

I'm presuming there is no roof on the pen?

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Permalink Reply by GardenThymeGirl on April 25, 2009 at 1:53pm

How big is your cage? Also--dog urea can be harmful to a lot of plants/trees. You will need to water the area around your tree often to leach the urea.

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Permalink Reply by Melanie on April 27, 2009 at 9:23am

No, there's no roof. It's about 10x10. Also, it gets morning and early afternoon light, then starts shading. As for the problem with the urea, maybe I can put a cage around it so they can't get near it.

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Permalink Reply by Polly McDaniel on April 27, 2009 at 11:03am

A redbud tree might do the trick for you. They're pretty hardy and fairly fast growing. But they don't get too big.

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Permalink Reply by GardenThymeGirl on April 27, 2009 at 6:08pm

The roots of a tree can stretch out to the size of the canopy. Is it possible to plant a tree(s) around the dog pen so that it casts shadows for the dogs? I like Polly's idea of a Red Bud--it would be my choice also.