Swedish columnar aspen

Populus tremula 'Erecta'. Lane, you’re leading me outside my lane. That’s probably one I could find, but they don’t seem to be as populus as they once were. When healthy and happy, they do look good. Are there some nice specimens in your part of Wyoming?

“One thing to keep in mind that many fastigiate trees tend to be so mostly as juveniles and can develop "middle aged spread" as they mature.”

Yes, good point, which is why I don’t include oaks. The few I’ve seen with any size have gained some "middle aged spread.” Maybe there’s one out there that will stay under 10’ after twenty years and has good fall color, but I’m not aware of it.

The Carpinus is new to me. Is it readily available in the Seattle area? I’m trying to imagine what that would be like. If anyone knows where I can find one in a #7 or #10 container would be much appreciated.

Malus is over-planted around here, but for good reason. They can be a marvel. If ‘Raspberry Spear’ is making a name for itself in Pugitopolis, we’ll hopefully see it in five years.

Parkland Pillar Birch should have good resistance to BBB being a sport out of Dakota Pinnacle Birch.

Another exclamation I've seen around here lately is Mountain Sentinel Aspen. Aspens can sometimes be very regional in their adaptations so not sure how this perorms around here.

Some landscapers/nurseries that do jobs in MSP and St. Paul say Red Obelisk Beech is hardy and use it. I have not heard anything yet after this last winter. My guess would be hardy in sheltered locations within the city and inner suburbs.

Maackia - you are in a colder zone, correct?

Anyway, Swedish columnar aspen is somewhat common around here. Seems like it was a fad maybe 10-15 years ago. I know of a really nice bigger one that turns a great orange-red fall color. I'll try to get a picture. They stay skinny for sure. Only thing I don't like is they leaf out very late.

Lane, I’m solid z4. Sometimes it seems the earth is warming everywhere but here.

Pennlake, thank you for the information. I think it’s best I get the beech out of my mind. There’s probably a better chance of it surviving than the Liquidambar, but I should focus on something that will stay put, though I’m not overly confident the birch is that tree either. Is there a hardy, narrow oak with good fall color?

Quercus rober 'Crimschmidt' or common name Crimson Spire is zone 4 hardy with good red fall color. It does get 35-45 feet tall and 12-15 feet wide in 20 years, so may be a bit bigger than you want. It will hold it's leaves through winter, marcescense I think it's called.

It seems like someone mentioned another narrow oak in a thread recently, maybe whaas?

Kindred Spirit and Skinny Genes Oak are available around here, but cannot comment on their fall color.

Crimson Spire Oak is locally available and what I'm looking for -- except for width.

Skinny Genes looks interersting. Pennlake, do you recall where you've seen it? Too bad it doesn't have fall color approximating Q. alba.

Does anyone have experience with Q. 'Chimney Fire'?

Kieffer Pear! They grow straight up like columns (even after decades) and bear purdy white flowers and delicious fruit, too! Not to mention, they are also cheap & easy to find at most nurseries...

Gertens sells Skinny Genes. They also sell one called Streetspire. Sounds like Crimson Spire without the leaf retention.

Chimney Fire will offer some of the best color but will still get 15-20’ wide.

if you want narrower and fall color check out Birthday Candle. One of my favorites. Windcandle is nice too very similar.

To everyone — thank you! I’m recently retired and the only downside thus far is I no longer get to visit regional nurseries on a regular basis. A trip to Gerten‘s sounds good and they have ‘Skinny Genes’ in both #7 & 10. Kieffer Pear is something I would not have considered, but an edible fruit-bearing tree would definitely be interesting. Birthday Candle sounds familiar, but can’t say I’ve seen one. Lots to think — and read — about. :)

You can find a rather large specimen at my old place otherwise I would assume guy down in Illinois has the original

Be careful with those really skinny ones they look kind of weird for about a decade

Maackia don't be sad about crossing Fagus s. 'Red Obelisk' off your list. It is a gorgeous tree but it is about 10' wide at the base and is not very exclamation-point-like!