Small tree suggestions...

18 years ago

I have a flower bed right near my front porch where i'd like to plant a small decorative tree. There is a powerline that is above this area so it is important that whichever tree I choose it remain small. Probably a 10 foot max. It would be nice if the tree we plant had showy foliage, flowers, attracted birds and/or butterflies but no bees or bugs, frangrance would also be a big plus since we spend so much time on the porch. Fruit would be neat. I also love weeping forms. Any of the above combinations would be great I don't expect there to be a tree with all of those attributes though. I was really considering the Sango kaku(coral barked) japanese maple but at 15 to 20 feet it will be too big. My fall back will be some type of japanese maple, probably a waterfall or viridis. I love interesting trees though. Any suggestions?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

fruit_cake
18 years ago
consider a Fringe tree, they have the most wonderful fragrance, are unusual, and don't get too tall.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fringe tree
0
alicia7b
18 years ago
10' really limits your choices. Also, anything that attracts butterflies will also attract bees. A Seargent crab apple doesn't get much above 6' (from what I've read -- mine are still very young) that are supposed to be disease and Japanese beetle resistant. I have apple trees on dwarf rootstock: the varieties Liberty and Freedom. They've gotten a little bit of fireblight but nothing major. Their major attributes are the spring flowers and the very beautiful bark, which is mottled in shades of pale brown, green and silver. I've had them for 7 years and they have not gotten over 6'. So overall my suggestion would be something on dwarf rootstock if you can get it (like a sour cherry, ornamental cherry, or Japanese maple). Otherwise I'd get a shrub.
0
Related Discussions
Need small tree suggestion for my huge brick wall. (PICS)
Q
Comments (3)
Windows. Not meaning to sound like a smarta$$, but if you don't have near neighbors on that side and it is not all closets or something on the inside, I would add windows. Looks like you have a houseplan for a zero lot setback style subdivision, but are on a bigger lot. Other than that, trellis with a vine. Or esplanade trees (and I know I spelled that wrong), where the trees are trained flat to the wall. Don't have plant suggestions, not familiar with what grows well in your part of the country.
...See More
Need shrub (or small tree) suggestions please
Q
Comments (4)
maries1120 - despite the name, Mountain Ash is not a true Ash (Fraxinus), it is a Sorbus, so EAB would not affect it. Search under Sorbus and you will see there is a wide variety of species and cultivars. But I don't know whether they would be suitable for your region.
...See More
Small tree suggestion
Q
Comments (5)
The Mastic Tree (Pistacia lentiscus) is a good choice. It's evergreen, cold hardy to 20 degrees, matures to a size of 15 x 20 and has dark green foliage. Another option might be the Anacacho Orchid tree (Bauhinia lunarioides). It is a bit smaller at 8 x 6, blooms with white or pink flowers in spring/summer and is hardy to 15 degrees. You can find full color photos and descriptions of these trees and more at the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert
...See More
Need a Tall Narrow Evergreen Shrub or Small Tree-Suggestions?
Q
Comments (6)
"Tiny Towers" Italian Cypress are superb for tall and narrow. They don't get gigantic like the big ones do. Spearmint Juniper is also great. Beautiful green color and takes to shearing very easily. "Purple Pony" purple leaf plum is also excellent as a small tree. Only gets about 12' tall. Doesn't get huge like the big ones do... There are also some smaller Cassias that do well as small trees and have nice flowers as well and are only briefly deciduous.
...See More
dgriff
18 years ago
A dwarf Magnolia would look great
0
goldiemom
18 years ago
Thanks for the info on the fringe tree...I have a space that is perfect for a small tree, as well, and I've been wondering what I could put there. :-) It gets full sun and I currently have a Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince about 5 feet from where I would put the tree. The Quince is still a baby but I don't think that would be a problem... Does anyone know where I can buy a fringe tree?
0
cindy_q
Original Author
18 years ago
Thats my next question goldiemom. Its not so hard to find trees online or in books that are ideal for many situations but try locating them in person! I've been digging up old posts reading other suggestions and always the fringe tree is mentioned but I don't think i've ever actually seen one and while what i've looked up on them so far suggests it might be bigger then my 10 foot limit for this particular space i'm really curious to see one now and could possibly find another place for one if only I could find them.

I was really considering a variety of crabapple but the ones i'm considering are also proving hard to find. If its not one thing its another....
0
dawgie
18 years ago
We have a dwarf weeping pussy willow, Salix caprea, that might fit the bill. It's only supposed to grow 6-8' tall. Nice weeping form, with buds and flowers in early spring like other pussy willows. Really unique. Easy to find in Triangle area nurseries and relatively inexpensive.

My personal favorite, however, would be a Japanese maple. Lots of weeping varieties available, both in red and green. I saw some very nice Tamukeyama and Red Select, both red weeping varieties, at Lowe's today for about $80 for trees about 4' tall -- which is a good price for JMs of that size with nice form.

There are also some dwarf varieties of crepe myrtles that might be nice. We have a Velma's Royal Delight that has a deep purple flowers, nice form and dwarf habit. Victor is a red dwarf.
0
alicia7b
18 years ago
Brenda near Eno wrote on another thread that she found both the Chinese and native fringetrees at the garden center on Old Apex Rd in Cary. Shari said that Camellia Forest in Chapel Hill was selling large fringetrees for pick up only. I got my fringetree at the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill. Woodlanders and Forestfarm also sells a lot of hard to find trees. Both are mail-order with good reputations. Woodlanders sells small trees but they grow fast.
0