Maackia amurensis 'Summertime'
Cotinus obovatus
Crataegus crusgalli 'Crusader'
Cornus Mas 'Golden Glory'

This list could get fairly long so if you have any likes/dislikes or wants that would help narrow it down. How high are the powerlines?

Oh....I hope the list does get long! I am at a loss, as I really don't know all that much about the different varieties of trees and what would do well in our climate!

I should have mentioned that the trees would be in the boulevard, between the sidewalk and curb. It is a fairly wide boulevard. I would guess that we would want to stay 15-18 feet?

Here are a couple pictures that might explain the location better.
This was taken from the second level of the garage last summer.
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this was taken in spring
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think about taking a year tree free.. and thinking about whether you really need trees out there ....

ken

More than likely, the utility company has a suggested list of suitable trees. And that's an excellent place to start your search. Contact them to find out.

What about Korean maple? Paperbark Maple? They don't get very large or grow very fast. Try googling small trees for your location.

By the way, nice yard!

Take a look at where I live...

The list includes trees that are drought tolerate and suitable for small strips and under powerlines.

What is the traffic like on your street? Be sure to consider salt sensetivity of the trees.

How do Redbuds grow up there? (Cercis canadensis)

I think between it being the northern end of their range and a little salt they would never reach the 30feet I hear they're capable of. Mine seem inclined to stay smaller here in zone 6.

I like most of Whaas's suggestions really. You have an attractively landscaped place. Instead of four trees would two planted one towards each end frame it nicely?

ken, we are considering waiting a year, although I doubt we will leave the boulevard empty. Just not sure what to put there.

Jean, I have checked our utilities web site, and they do list some trees. However, I thought that suggestions from this forum would help as input from people who have experience with the actual tree(s) can be invaluable.

lou, thanks. We are working on it. The second picture was taken when the garage was being built. Also repairs were being done on the bay window on the house at the same time.

whaas, yes I did notice you live in the Milwaukee area. We are on the western side of the state, so maybe a little colder than you though. I have been checking out your suggestions and liking the looks of a couple. Are the ones you mentioned readily available in nurseries? I would prefer to purchase locally if at all possible. Mail order can be so "iffy" sometimes, especially with trees.

Thanks so much everyone. Keep the ideas coming!

A few more ideas. Being in the boulevard, you might want to look for trees with a more upright habit.

Crabapple-look for persistent fruit or fruitless, disease resistence
Japanese tree lilac
Magnolia

In SE WI they are available, especially the hawthorn and dogwood.

IMHO Maackia amurensis is an extremely underutilized tree. I have the straight species and I'm considering adding either 'Starburst' and 'Summertime' to a tougher spot.

Crabapple and Japanese Tree Lilac are common street trees so those would work as well (as suggested above).

I have JTL 'Summer Snow'...I think its superior to 'Ivory Silk' based on shape, flowers and winter seed pod persistance.

If you go the Malus (crabapple) route search this forum for "Malus with Good Reliable Fall Color". Folks here came up with several fine cultivars for our area.

How close are you to Waterloo? McKay nursery is good for tried and true selections but lack the unique selections that work well for area. I'm lucky to have Johnsons Nursery down the road from me.

American Smoketree might be a nice choice.

Amur Maackia would be interesting looking too.

American Hophornbeam could work.

I think the last two would provide some winter interest.

whaas, we are along the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi, south of Lacrosse.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to make suggestions. Between now and spring we will be researching the suggested trees to see what seems to "fit" best. Also what might be available within driving distance.

"Crabapple-look for persistent fruit or fruitless, disease resistence"

What does persistent fruit mean?

ok, I found out what persistent fruit means. I also found the post you referred to Whaas, about fall color.

I think I am leaning toward malus at this point. Thinking of maybe planting a total of 4, 2 that are light/white and 2 dark pink? I found a site that had a list of crabapple cultivars recommended for Wisconsin by Laura Jull of the University Of Wisconsin Department Of Horticulture. I am thinking perhaps 2 Sugar Tyme for the light/white? But the darker color...hmmm... What input can you give me on Prairfire, or Purple Price? There is a nursery not too far that carries all of these plus quite a few others.

Here is a link that might be useful: cultivars recommended for Wisconsin

Be careful with that list there are few inferior cultivars on there.

Sugar Tyme and Prairfire would be two fine choices for our area.

You may consider Donald Wyman for fall color and Gold Harvest for yellow fruit.

That might be over doing it with the crabapples though.

Mary Lu - I am bumping this thread to ask what you decided to do on your boulevard. I live just north of LaCrosse. I have a Prairiefire crab but it is just a baby so not much to gawk at. I found this thread because I was searching for info on the Maackia amurensis and I see that whaas in MIlwaukee highly recommends. Also a local landscaper here gave a talk and was praising Maackia for our area.

Your home and yard are beautiful!!

Rachel

Rachel, so far we have made no final decision. We went a year tree-free in that area and we are kind of liking it. So for this year we have decided not to plant and to give it another summer and to see how we feel. If we do decide to plant, we will do so next spring.

Underneath our powerlines we have a pink flowering dogwood planted. Does well there even with all the salt and the fact that we dont water it. They stay pretty small so they probably would never reach those powerlines you have.

You could always plant a Rose of Sharon. They get very tree-like and would fit into your landscape nicely.