Tree Suggestions

3 years ago

For background, we are putting an inground pool in and need some landscape help in a couple spots. I plan on putting a row of about 15 emerald green arborvitaes along the back to hide the fence pictured. I would like to put some kind of tree in the corner (in front of the telephone pole) with some plantings below. I was thinking of a Dakota Pinnacle Birch or a Goldspire Ginko. My wife would prefer something that flowers in the spring but I dont know many flowering trees with an upright growth habit.. The wider the canopy the further it needs to be away from the pole and encroaching on pool area. We also inherited some large trees (leyland cypress i think) that border our property. Over the last couple of years 2 have fallen and I am left with a 40' gap to fill. I am struggling to figure out what would be best to use. I do have power lines above so I think I should probably stay under 20 ft unless I did an arborvitae or something columnar where the point will avoid the power lines. I also have the pool equipment to compete with about 8 ft away (where the gravel is). Any suggestions?

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Comments (11)

Christopher CNC
3 years ago
A summer flowering smaller tree with an upright growth habit is Stewartia pseudocamellia.

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=m440
Paul_DE-7a
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Chris. Nice tree but I'm looking for something with a smaller spread... like under 20'.
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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
3 years ago
I’ve read and reread your post and, unless I’ve missed it, you don’t say where you are situated geographically. That makes a big difference in tree selection.
laceyvail 6A, WV
3 years ago
There is at least one fastigiate deciduous magnolia. I think it's called 'Golden Spire'. I've had mine for over 15 years.
Paul_DE-7a
Original Author
3 years ago
sorry floral... im in Delaware (Z7).
Paul_DE-7a
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Lacey... i did some searches and it looks like you may be referring to the "Sunspire" Magnolia? If so, I love it! Spread is only 6 ft so it will definitely work. Now I just need to find it.
PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
3 years ago
Little Gem Magnolia
Embothrium
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
'Little Gem' magnolia

Unreliable in USDA 7, not even fully hardy in my part of USDA 8. There is also a snow breakage issue with this one.

Is the flowering tree supposed to be between the arborvitaes and the pool, with these conifers forming an evergreen backdrop for the new tree?

Also if you are talking about the new arborvitae hedge being back in amongst the existing trees at all, fairly close to the fence this planting is going to become pretty thin looking in that much shade - you have a lot of trees there already.

And if you want the pole to disappear anytime soon you are going to have to choose something that shoots right up. Something evergreen.
Paul_DE-7a
Original Author
3 years ago
@Dig Doug's Designs Thanks for the suggestion. I really like this tree but there are several in our neighborhood and they seem to make a mess with leaves dropping all year round. With it's proximity to the pool I worry about the leaves blowing in constantly.

@Embothrium I realize that the pictures might be a little confusing. The 2 areas I am looking for help with are the 40' gap on the side of my property (behind pool eqip pad) and the area in front of the telephone pole. I don't need to cover the pole entirely but i don't want it to be so visible. My original plan was to plant a Dakota Pinnacle Birch in front of the pole with some smaller shrubs below. Then I was going to plant a line of evergreens (not sure what) in the 40' gap left by the trees that fell over. My wife would prefer something flowering somewhere (preferably in front of the pole). I'm not opposed to it but I don't want anything with a large canopy that would force me to push the tree further away from the pole and into the yard. I could do some flowering trees in the 40' empty space but I thought it might like disjointed from the existing line of evergreens along the side. In reference to the Emerald Green Arbs I was planning to use.. they would be about 8 ft away from that fence I am trying to screen. Also, my front door faces south so the sun is over the house providing full sun to the yard for most of the day (about 10am to 4pm). The pics below should provide a better picture of what I am talking about. Please excuse my 1st grade art skills.
PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
3 years ago
Little Gem is quite hardy in my part of the country. Underplanted with dwarf Abelia makes leaf issues less apparent.
Fori
3 years ago
I'm partial to fruit trees for spring flowers. They come in a variety of well-documented sizes so it's easy to pick one by growth habit. Can't beat a nicely shaped apple tree for looks.

I assume you'll be closing up the pool before fall leaf drops, right? Will it have a safety fence or cover? I don't see it on your plan and they tend to look bad when added as an afterthought.