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Q&A: Tidy Tree for Front Yard
National Gardening Association
Question: I'd like suggestions for a small, tidy tree for my front
yard. I prefer the tree to remain under 25 feet tall and about 20 feet
wide. I am considering a kousa dogwood. What do you think, and can you
recommend other options?
Answer: There are a lot of great small trees to consider. Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) is an excellent choice, becoming broad spreading with distinctive horizontal branching and great fall color. Another dogwood to consider is Cornus mas or cornelian cherry dogwood with its wonderful bright yellow flowers, which open on bare stems in March. Its fruit ripens in July and is eaten by the birds. "Variegata" has variegated foliage, while "Elegantissima" sports pink shading on its young leaves.
There are many species of Hawthorn (Crataegus) with showy spring flowers and red berries, which are loved by robins in early spring before the worms become available. Both Washington and Winter King are popular varieties; Winter King has showy bark in winter.
Many new varieties of crabapple have small fruit that are persistent on the tree through the winter and will not create the mess as some of the old fashioned crabs did. For example Malus 'Adirondack" is a narrow upright tree only 12' tall with disease resistant leaves, white flowers, and red fruit that persists into winter.
Serviceberry (Amelanchior) will grow to 25 feet with white flowers early in spring and black berries that are quickly devoured by birds in summer. The fall color is outstanding. White fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) also has white flowers in spring which give this native tree its common name "Old Man's Beard." It grows to about 20'.
While these trees mentioned should do well in your zone, be sure to check their adaptability to your soil type.
Content provided by the National Gardening Association
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Posted Comments:
08-16-2009 14:36
Sara Teague wrote:
zones needed
I agree with Frances Galbreath; it would be very helpful if you would list the zone your posted Q&A's refer to. Then we would know if the articles information were pertinent for us or not. Thank you.
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