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Looking for ideas for an Ornamental Tree

16 years ago

Earlier this summer I cleared over 1/2 acre of over grown brush and dead/undersirable trees to make more lawn. I now want to plant some desirable trees including an nice ornamental type tree.

First, a tree that would fit nicely in a rural setting.

The tree is to be planted inside the L shape of our driveway and I am thinking the height to be approx. 15-25.' Nothing taller.

I live in Zone 5.

I thought about a nice crabapple or eastern red bud.???

Looking for some great ideas.

Thank You!

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Comments (9)

quirkyquercus
16 years ago
Post photo(s) to initiate creative juices injection sequence.
lsu27
16 years ago
Prariefire crabapple is a very good consideration, Japanese Tree Lilac (Variety Ivory Silk), Saucer Magnolia, Golden Chain Tree.
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Thanks Whaas, that is exactly what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to find a tree to be the focal point in the garden I'm building. My soil is hard Indiana clay, it's the type of clay where I can't dig more then a few inches with a shovel unless the lawn has been watered. I was going to amend the soil like I've done with my other trees to help the tree out. As for the Fringe tree, I read on Dave's Garden on how the flop like you described. I still have a few weeks to think and research on what I'm planting. The Kousa is definitely on the list. I called my Lowes here in town and they have a few big ones in stock. I'm going to check them out tomorrow. Thanks
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'Little Gem' CAN get to 25-30', but would more likely stop at about 20', with a 10' spread. It is evergreen, and flowers off and on all summer, with a bigger show as it gets older. Mine started with a few blooms 3-4 years ago, and, on almost no water, has bloomed sporadically for the past 2 months - it has 3 buds on it now. They are attractive trees, if somewhat slow-growing. That said, mine was planted in raw, 'dozed-over, red clay, at the edge of hill and the fence line, watered far too little in the first few years, and has grown in 7 years from a 18", 1 gal. container, to a tree about 8' tall and 5-6' wide. A bigger tree initially, and one planted where it got bettter care should substantially out grow that! (By the time I realized it was totally the wrong tree in the wrong place - I should have planted the species there and the LG closer to the house, it was too big to easily move - live and learn.)
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maples come in many flavors. of interest may be a. griseum or a. pseudosieboldianum. actually, a dogwood may be exactually what you need. specifically, c. alternifolia or c. controversa, variegated in both. or the once uncommon now ubiquitous Wolf Eyes. any possibilities that includes heptacodium is a good list. this may be a place where selection of yet another showstopper plant may not be as effective as creative, non-traditional use of a more common plant, be it viburnum, rhododendron, or a choice not yet named. Some of the plantings that stick in my mind the most do not linger because of the remarkable plants that were used, but rather the remarkable use to which plants were put, which caused you to step back and say, wow, I had forgotten that (_____) could look like that.
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CC, I love your ideas, now that's what I'm talking about! I have a lot of small teapots on display (not miniature), so if I were to buy a miniature set, how would I hang them on the "branches? I could use tiny ribbon for the cups, but not sure about the plates. But...teapots would be more for kitchens so I think I want this in the LR because of the color of the tree. I especially like the clothespin idea. Not sure about the quotes, etc. I want the display to be visible without having to get next to it. Okay ladies, put your thinking caps on. What can I use the clothespins for which would fit with the LR decor? The decor is on the rustic, country side. Colors are the jewel tones, burgandy, green, some blues, brass, silver and copper. Karen, thanks so much! It's about that time of the year where I'll be looking at the inspiration pictures again!
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laceyvail 6A, WV
16 years ago
Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay magnolia) or any of a wide variety of magnolias (check out the offerings at Rare Find Nursery).
cjsm
Original Author
16 years ago
So far I like the Japanese Tree Lilac, Prariefire Crabapple and Cleveland Select Pear Tree.

Question??
Does the Prariefire Crabapple have green leaves in summer w/glossy red fruit? I know the spring buds are bright red in color.
greenlarry
16 years ago
How about the red flowering Hawthorn called Paul's Scarlet. The flowers are double and are followed by good autumn foliage plus red berries. Or if you prefer yellow go for a Laburnum,fantastic in summer! For blue there are some tree like Ceanothus out there,or you could go for a Lilac(Syringa)
Iris GW
16 years ago
Ornamental pear trees are not real quality trees and in some areas are over used (and boring). Crabapple is a nice choice, and the birds will enjoy the fruits. Yes, it does have green leaves in the summer with glossy red fruit.

Serviceberry is also one of my favorite small trees. Amelanchier is the botanical name.
greenlarry
16 years ago
Here's a few alternatives that I've spotted in my little book. Populus x candicans 'Aurora'
variegated cream foliage tinged pink in spring.
Parrotia persica,a monotypic genus with great fall colour.

Fothergilla major,like Liquidambar but much smaller but intense colour(Hamamelis family,same as Parrottia)
bdude4
16 years ago
How about a PeeGee Hydrangea pruned into tree form?

Here is a link that might be useful: Pictures
suel41452
16 years ago
Starting on page 2, this link shows info on a large selection of crabapple trees:

http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/IPLANT/plant_select/trees/Selecting_Crabapples.pdf

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