Can anyone recommend a tree?

I was hoping that someone could recommend a tree for my front landscape bed. If you look at the picture, the tree would be placed in the far left corner of the house. The landscape bed that I have laid out is only 3 feet from the house and the foundation in this section of the home. I was wanting something there to add height, but I am concerned with the roots envading or damaging the foundation. I was seriously considering a Japanese Maple here, but it gets full sun all day long. Not to mention the cost of these trees. Which I wouldn't mind paying, but seeing that since my husband is in the military and we move about every 3 years, the enjoyment of this tree would not outweigh the cost. The tree in the middle is a weeping cherry 'snow fountain' that I planted about 1 month ago, and it is completely flourishing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Do you want a small, medium, or large tree? Would you like a showy spring display of blooms?

Very nice home! The first plant that comes to mind for me for that yard is a Halesia carolina (Silverbell). Very beautiful tree that I am particularly fond of.

If it were me I would plant shrubs/small trees near the house and a larger tree a little closer to the sidewalk. I get the feeling your neighborhood doesn't have many shade trees.

Shrubs for fill in would be real nice too.

You are correct, there are no shade trees being that this is a new subdivision. I was actually thinking of moving the Royal Star Magnolia to the side, and planting a larger tree where it is (check the picture it is in the bed by the sidewalk on the left). That was the original plan, but I was thinking that I needed height closer towards the house. What do you all think?

I like height by the house but not so close as 3'. How far away would the blue x added to your photo be from your home and would it be on your property? I sort of like that spot because it would balance out the peak in your roof over your garage in time.

Royal Star Magnolia is nice too.

Where the blue X is, is about 20 feet from the house. I am afraid to plant there because I don't want to have a tree in the middle of nowhere.....as in, not in a bed. I hate to put a circle around the tree too.

I was thinking last night that maybe instead of a tree against the house, of putting in a corner trellis that would mimic the corner of the house and growing a vine such as clematis or jasmine. I don't know of any jasmine that is hardy here. Zone 6.

If you plant a tree in the middle of nowhere, it becomes a somewhere. It just takes time.

I agree with Equil's suggestion of where the X is. A pine, hickory, or maybe a tulip poplar would look good there, it would also help distinguish your yard from your neighbors.

Maybe some type of Dogwood. That looks like a small yard, perfect for a dogwood.

This message was edited Mar 30, 2007 10:49 AM

You warm enough for a crepe mrytle? 20 ft from your house this would work. http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/38082/index.html

That's a big crepe mrytle, they look nice all summer and wouldn't get out of hand big. It needs a decent amount of sun though.

The Royal Star Magnolia is supposed to be a height of 10 to 20 feet with a spread of 8 to 15 feet. So moving it to the x would work also.

I don't think there's anything prettier than a Japanese Maple (Bloodgood).

I like Japanese Maples very much. One little problem with them is that they are sort of expensive and she said they won't be at this house more than three years.

Same problem with a Hickory of Tulip poplar...not enough time to grow, plus I'll bet your sewer line runs right under that grass. I was very pleased with a crabapple I bought last fall, a cultivar I had never heard of; "Purple Prince". It gave me immediate gratification with its fall color and fruit, and then again this spring with its pretty pink blossoms. The bark is also pretty in winter.

I guess it's a new cultivar because I couldn't find it in Plant Files. The fruits: