What is it about the pear trees that has made them so popular? If you don't mind the mess, is there any reason you wouldn't just go for another type of fruit tree, given the legendary problems of the bradford pear? There are so many, at least for our climate, perhaps fewer for yours. If it kind of functions as your back yard, then why not a fruit tree that can be a healthy long lived tree, provide lovely flowering, no smell, no danger of falling on your car, and nice fruit to boot? Cherry, apple... and quince trees are beautiful, though the fruit is only for jelly, not edible (but beautiful). Note this is not the flowering quince shrub, chaenomeles, which I would never plant anywhere due to its invasiveness, but Cydonia, an actual tree. There are so many great trees; I think it's a pretty personal choice. Research what's available for your zone (beyond your local big box store - go to good nurseries, look at tree books for your region, maybe the Renegade Gardener books would be helpful?), pick your favourites, and then think about placement. I'd say you can go big, so think branch structure, trunk appearance, climbability... In fact, you could even fit a weeping willow out there. Not that I'm saying you should - if you think you've got a spring mess now, the willow would be intolerable to you, and would reduce the perfection of your lawn - just saying, you could. KarinL

Regarding the mature size of this tree or any other, I have only one thing to say: SO WHAT?? The thing about working with the mature size of the trees is that for most of your tenure here, and indeed for most of your life, you will be living with the immature size, as Brent's current situation shows. I am turning into an absolute heretic on this subject, but I believe that urban trees should be planted such that the serve you to some extent during that immature period. If you have room for them to reach maturity, fabulous for you and the tree. But if mature size is too big for this lot, the trees can be cut down, and indeed in many cases they should be cut down. Replacement stock is readily available and can be pre-planted. There are many planting strategies that work to permit a succession of trees - planting more densely than you eventually want the trees to be and thinning later, incorporating some fast-growing, short lived, even weedy trees to provide cover while the slower-growers grow, and so on. I don't know your individual trees but as you learn about their habits and rate of growth, ask yourself whether you are designing this lot for yourself to enjoy, or for some future owner of the NEXT house built on this lot? You can do both with good planning, but you certainly should not sacrifice your current needs out of fear that some future owners' needs will not be met.

I'm going to echo everyone else's opinion of the tree off center and to the left of the house. I'm not even sure I would put a tree there - you have such a lovely backdrop of tall trees I might just enlarge the beds and plant more shrubs and flowers. If you still decide on the tree, my advice is to do your research carefully before you actually select a tree. In a zone 5 climate you have to consider things like ability to stand up to heavy snow on the branches and resistance to ice storms. The suggestions above, though all lovely, I'm not sure whether they would suit your needs. Also, you should take into consideration that the faster a tree grows, the more likely it is to have weak and brittle wood, which may be a hazard in a cold climate like yours (not so much in mine, where trees are more likely to die from drought...). Not to discourage you at all, I love trees myself and have more than my plot supports, but I advise you to research hardiness zones, etc., before you commit yourself. You may also wish to post a question to the Trees forum here at gardenweb, there are very knowledgeable people there. If you're set on a birch, take a look at the Himalayan birch - Betula utilis 'Jacquemontii' - which should be hardy to your zone. I'm trying to grow one in my garden (from seed that was sent to me). Keeping my fingers crossed that it will thrive here, as it's my favorite birch. Hope this helps. Eduarda Here is a link that might be useful: Himalayan birch

I hope you both are right and she was tired or confused. Believe me, to save a caliber midnight shubert I read everything available online on black knot too. However, when someone in the industry tells you they are now seeing infection in malus, you tend to believe them. I have to choose a replacement tree this year. I know that the spores are likely in the soil and whatever caused the infection is likely still upwind. Maybe a buckeye or ivory silk lilac. Have to reconsider how big I want it. Maybe even a nice evergreen. Will try posting photo when sun is out for photo taking.