Rookie: Just to expand a little on my crptic comment about pluots. I too tried them years ago when I was doing my rookie time. I had three different types, and in those days I was ordering from Stark Bros. The trees grew very vigorously, and became quite large since I kept them over 10 years. These were the Flavor Supreme/Delight types developed in California. The trees were slow to begin blooming, and never bloomed heavily. When they did, they seemed nearly impossible to pollinate, even though I also had apricots and Japanese plums around. When I did eventually get a few fruits to set, they were the immediate targets of the oriental fruit moth, attracted by their smooth skin and sweet nature. They were, however, extraordinarily delicious fruits -- better, in my judgment, than any apricot or plum. But I finally gave up and took the trees out. Now I grow apricots and plums. Adams County is one of the country's best nurseries, and if they say that Dapple Dandy and Flavor Grenade can be grown in the Jersey climate, maybe they can. But you will have to take special care of the trees, expect problems with pollination, and spray with an insecticide if you get fruit set. It would make me feel more confident if I ever heard reports of success with Pluots from other hobby growers in the east, but I never have. Reports of bushels of pluots from California are frequent, but I am in a different fruitgrowing world here. I live in a neighborhood like yours, quiet with large lots. My entire back yard is covered with fruit trees, and I think it is quite beautiful, especially in spring, and nobody seems to object. I give away fruit at various times of year to most of the neighbors. You ought to be able to get away with a fruit tree or two in the front yard, and Asian pear trees are quite handsome when pruned to shape. They also produce lots of Asian pears, which suffer almost no insect or disease problems. Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

We've had a 'Bonanza' dwarf peach for years that's done very well in north Texas clay. Very pretty dark pink blooms in spring, nice ~6ft X 6ft size, and full size fruits.... which the squirrels and opossums love :-( It's a genetic dwarf with relatively low chill hour (~250) requirements. Don't believe this one is self-fertile, but we have other peach trees in the neighborhood. 'Ranger dwarf' was a self-fertile variety we had also considered. 'Wonderful' pomegranate is a small fruit bush/tree we've not tried yet, but often recommended for ornamental use in Texas due to it's long blooming period. So might be a nice addition to a front yard. Edit: May be different further south, but we've never had to spray our Bonanza peach. It gets mulch/compost and a little nitrogen when we fertilize the lawn - very undemanding... here, anyway.

If you are thinking of fruit trees, I'd think about American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)...one of the few native fruit trees, and one of the few tough fruit trees. Put some males near the road and females elsewhere. I like American Holly (ilex opaca) for areas you want an evergreen for screening.

Wow!!! Thanks everyone for offering your ideas, insights and helpful information! I'm so very grateful for the time you took to help me learn about the trees and to give me some factors to consider based on weather, tree characteristics, and my home's size & scale!! As a point of clarification, the trees are not free. Residents pay 25% (approx. $80) and the Village pays 75% (approx. $270). I have not yet talked to anyone in the forester's office, but I don't think I have a choice other than their list for planting in the parkway. Technically the parkway is Village property; so that's why they pay the majority. If I wanted to plant another type of tree, I'd likely need to plant that in my yard. The front yard is so small, I wouldn't want a tree smack in the middle of the yard, plus...with all the other projects currently on the list, I appreciate the lower cost point for me to add a tree or two. Upon reviewing my list closer, the Kentucky Coffee being offered is the Espresso, which I've learned is seedless, which is helpful. I totally understand and even appreciate that trees are messy. :-D I'm someone who enjoys raking and greatly values all the seasons. I love watching the life cycle of nature, including the leaves coming into bud and then falling. The "messy" concern is knowing some trees do tend to drop even more debris and/or can be a bit problematic with their seeds, berries, etc. As one who also loves the bees, butterflies and birds...some berries and seeds are lovely as they help sustain my flying friends. This afternoon I connected with a local arborist who is coming to trim a few trees in the backyard. He echoed many of the comments listed above. So....after reading all of your feedback, considering the arborist's comments and tuning into my own heart voice, I've ranked my choices to the Village in the following order (The form asks us to rank each 1-6) 1 - Espresso Kentucky Coffee 2 - Common Hackberry 3 - Red Sunset Red Maple 4. Frontier Elm 5. Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac (While this is available for everyone, I think this one added as a choice for homes that are near overhead utility wires - based on a note on the form) 6. Exclamation London Planetree Again! I greatly appreciate everyone's time and assistance! If there are any final comments, I'm sure I could wiggle my selection based on availability up until the end of March. :-D Thank you!!