Tree recommendations: narrow and not too tall?

Background:

Our home is on an acre-plus, here in middle Tennesee (zone 6b/7a.) But our front yard is shallow and wide...probably only 30-50 feet from our front walk to the power lines along the easement, and maybe 150 feet wide. The front of the house faces south, more or less.

With my blessings, the electric company has cut down two 'Foster' hollies planted beneath the lines, and they're cutting down at least two--if not all three--silver maples that are planted in the middle of the yard in a row. You can see the third tree in this photo: http://davesgarden.com/community/blogs/i/143/ (and imagine its two siblings are in a straight line along the right-hand side of the shot, just out of the camera's range.)

That shot is deceptive: the grass has always been very thin due to the competition for moisture and the lack of sun. The trees have caused problems with our septic system and the water line. After we had to trench a new water line last year, the grass has been almost impossible to get started (the lack of rain hasn't helped.)

So I'm not sorry to see the trees go, even though they provided a lot of shade in the summer months.

The utility company gave me a list of plants they will plant in their place, but none of them really appeal to me (some no-name crape myrtles and crab apples, saucer magnolias and 'Kwanzan' cherry trees), so I'm asking them instead to give me a credit and I can buy my own trees.

So here's my question: What 2 (or maybe 3) trees would you plant in this space? They will need to be placed in the middle of the yard, clear of the power lines and away from the septic and water lines.

I'm leaning toward oaks...maybe even a Q. fusiformis (live oak), or something that is fairly narrow, and not too tall (read: not more than 30-40 feet, maximum...preferably 25-30 feet, and not more than 20-30 feet wide.)

Possibly a smallish Liquidambar (is 'Variegata' sterile, or is that only 'Rotundiloba'?)

Any other suggestions for this space? Without any shade, I suspect my poor hostas and hellebores may be extra-crispy next summer (I'll move 'em to the north side of the house if need be.)

How about one of the species of Halesia?

See if one of these Tennessee Cooperative Extension Bulletins has some trees that fit your requirements.

http://www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/homeGarden/default.asp#trees

KSBaptisia, Halesia is on my short list of replacement trees for the backyard silver maple (along with Chionanthus and Amelanchier...)


snapple45, thanks for the link. I hadn't seen the "sewer safe" list before (pretty familiar with the other .pdfs on there.) Gave me a few choices to consider that I hadn't before now ;o)

The Cotinus obovatus is a low branching often multi-trunked tree that is hard to find. It needs very good drainage. A dry site would excellent. A well grown specimen is a great addition to the landscape. The leaves are attractive. The fall color is blazing red. You don't see them often but if you could locate one I think you might find it worth the trouble.

Good to know--thanks!

I have one! And I do love it in the fall.

Another shot (Cotinus)

Boy, that's a nice one! How long have you had it?

I planted 5 of them in 2001. Four of them are still living. They were maybe 6 inches tall scraggly, having been sold by one of the lesser-rated mail order places (the type that colorizes their plant pix)--I put them in a wooded area and more or less neglected them (got too busy to attend to them) but maybe 1 years ago I transplanted the one you see up closer to the house on a rocky slope shaded by oaks. Last year we had the worst drought on record. Still it has thrived and grown several inches a year since I moved it. Yesterday I checked on the other 3 and they are still small but healthy...I am planning to move them to a better location as well. They are tough plants, and beautiful!

I gotta get one! I've seen one at maturity at the height of fall color and it took my breath away.

Have you considered a Stewartia?

It is a beautiful choice...thank you! (And no, I hadn't considered it up 'til now ;o)

Terry, any reason in particular you would not be interested in a magnolia? There are a lot of smaller varieties now too than don't get much bigger than 15' tall and wide. Here is a picture of my 'Jane' blooming this spring - she was AMAZING. This particular one will be more shrubby than tree-like but they take well to pruning.

Elizabeth

Actually I have 'Jane' in my backyard, and I'm happy to report she survived last year's late freeze, drought and heatwave, and bloomed nicely for me this year.

But I'm looking for something more upright for the front yard. (Our home is a typical late-70s ranch: single story, low-slung roofline and small, square-ish windows.) Anything I can do to draw the eye upwards can only help the appearance. Hence my reason for seeking out trees with a slender silhouette, but not too tall--for safety and aesthetics, I want our choice(s) to naturally stay more in proportion to the home and the surrounding neighborhood.

Heptacodium grew well for me...very rapid growth but not too tall, and interesting bark for winter. Pollinator-friendly too.

The live oak idea doesn't sound good to me. Not a fast grower but some day it will be huge and the roots will go through anything given time.

I start drooling when I have to think what I might plant in a freshly barren landscape!
Cornus controversa, yellowwood, sassifras, katsura, acer japonicum, acer nikoense, acer triflorum.
Just off the top of my head. I think they're all sturdy and they're not fussy.
I LOVE stewartia, but I'm not sure it would be happy with unrelenting Tennessee sunshine in August.