Thanks!

Would you agree with my landscaper that the max height estimates are not a concern for zone 5, partial shade?

An upright serviceberry at the corner of that house will look like a wisp, a tuft of grass. I also wouldn't expect Amelanchier laevis to make a 10 ft. column - you need something like A. alnifolia or one of the columnar A. canadensis cultivars (see lakecountynursery.com, for an example) for that kind of growth to be likely. But as I said, such lightweight trees (or shrubs) will not be a match for that building. In fact, serviceberries are really too delicate-looking for effective specimen use in general, being much more impressive planted in drifts and masses.

Box will take about 50 years to be in scale with your house. You need a much bigger, bolder tree to balance it and more vigorous shrubs if you are going to see a satisfactory effect produced in a reasonable period of time.

You could let it shoot out more and become more thick. A friend has a couple serviceberry on the ends of 2 gardens and she has to prune limbs every few years to keep it contained. If you have a bigger space to grow it, you could let it get very bushy and full so that it makes a more dramatic statement. It is a beautiful, very full shrub as an adult specimen. The cedar waxwings love it.

Agreed this is going to be a case of planting a small tree/large shrub where a larger tree should go. I suggest an entirely different species for the right side of the house. If you want a serviceberry, put it on the left side of the photo, beside the front steps. Google around for european hornbeam 'fastigiata' (for narrow pyramid shape) or 'Franz Fontaine' (for narrow upright oval shape). If it's flowers you want use some flowering shrubs. I'd make further suggestions but I don't really know what grows is zone 5. Do you have hollies up there?

Thanks for all of the comments. And I can appreciate that the "correct" thing might be to put a bigger tree there. But I just don't want a real TREE tree in that spot for a number of reasons. What I'm really looking to do is soften the lines of the house, so perhaps making the space to allow for more of a spread as some have suggested, would be a good idea.

The house isn't really as tall as it looks. 15' is almost to the second floor window sill so I think it would frame the house well. And there's a huge full grown tree just a few feet away on the other side of our property line. You can see the leaves in the photo. We also plan on planting a more substantial tree on the front left corner of our property where you can see some dead branches in the photo :-)

We also want to keep the stone foundation visible, hence the shorter boxwoods. We've seen lots of similar landscapes around here and although I can understand the concerns, it does work.

Anyway, I do appreciate all of the feedback and if anyone has any other suggestions for a specimen small deciduous tree/large shrub that would max out at 15' or so, please let me know!

Thanks again!

Softening is what I am talking about. The softening will not be achieved unless the plants selected grow large enough and have enough visual impact. Fine-textured delicate small trees like serviceberries don't have enough size and weight to match up with such a structure.

I, too, thought of putting a holly at the corner, a tall pyramidal evergreen like that would soften the corner and tie the house down to the ground - something that is badly needed. But like box hollies are quite slow and I don't know if any tall hollies are reliable there.

And the above comments are coming from someone who usually speaks out against dwarfing a house with trees that are too big.

You wrote, "I'm considering a serviceberry tree for the corner of my foundation bed . . . we're trying to bring some height to the bed as this is a very boxy, tall, 2 story house, but I don't really want to go more than 15' in height at maturity . . . . I want something with an upright shape."

You received good advice from people who are very knowledgeable. You rejected all their advice. I may be mistaken, but you seem to have your mind made up - you are going to plant a serviceberry - regardless.

I have several serviceberries, including Autumn Brilliance. They are lovely little trees, very delicate in form. I would not use a serviceberry as part of a foundation planting for this style and size of house. You need something more substantial. There are many trees from which to choose.

If you do have an open mind, why don't you visit a botanical garden or public garden (with a camera and notebook) so you can see what different trees look like when they are mature? What works in different situations? I do this whenever I can - it's a great learning experience. You'll see trees that you knew nothing about, and that would be perfect for this particular place on your property.

Pam

Hello. I was fascinated to read your inquiry, since I am now considering a serviceberry in the corner of a foundation with boxwoods and other shrubs by a very vertical house with strong lines/presence. I would love to see a current photo of what you did with your project, whether you chose a serviceberry or not! Might you update?

Hi Everyone!! I love reading these forum threads!! Everyone's experiences and wide based knowledge is soooo useful and very much appreciated... That being said, I have a question for the great collection of arborist' minds out there! My house is a two story with lots of Windows across the front which I love! However, there is a very popular walking path that goes directly in front of my home and 2/3 of my 1 1/2 acres is on the sides and behind my home. Meaning, there is about 70-80 ft between the front of my house and this busy walking path. I live in Prospect Ky which is zone 7 but with the past few winters... Encroaching quickly into zone 6.. I want to plant 3 trees at the front edge of my yard that will accomplish these things... 1) grow to apprx 30-35 ft, 2) stay around 20 ft wide at the canopy, 3) produce beautiful fall colors 4) really love and thrive in its chosen home aka moderate to fast growing but sturdy . "Icing on the Cake" thoughts but not a deal breaker... Pretty spring flowering and interesting bark color.. Not to much to ask..huh!!? I am taking suggesting... Thank you!!

Gina Brunetti