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Tree ideas?

Hi I'm looking for a tree to put in the front garden it's quite close to the house and I'm looking for a small to medium sized tree which is quite upright and not very "branchy" I was hoping to get a hornbeam but think with the eventual spread this will be to big, any ideas? 

Posts

  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    edited September 2018
    Do you like yellow Laburnum's?   do you like spending money?

    Laburnum anagyroides 'Yellow Rocket' is now available in garden centres... I rather like the look of it...

    It's slim and compact..

    https://www.frankpmatthews.com/catalogue/laburnum/12289 
    East Anglia, England
  • I wanted something with some autumn colour I was thinking maybe something like a Pyrus calleryana Redspire not sure if this is suitable for a small garden? I have a budget for the tree of no more then £250
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    edited September 2018
    ..then get what you've set your heart on... these things take years before anyone will say.. uh oh, I shouldn't have planted that...  if you're my age you will be long gone, and if you're younger, you will probably have sold up and moved on... so get the tree you want, and don't worry too much, as long as it's not a forest tree, a Eucalyptus or huge conifer...

    Think ahead only in terms of 10 years... things can change so much, it isn't worth looking any further in my view... enjoy your chosen tree !...

    Meanwhile, also consider Sorbus 'Joseph Rock'...
    East Anglia, England
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited September 2018
    At some stage in the not-too-distant past the Beechgrove Garden TV programme had a trial of small (and I think fastigiate/upright) small trees.  Might be worth having a look if it's still on iplayer.
    Edited to add: 2018 programme 3.  This series's factsheets are here https://www.beechgrove.co.uk/factsheets&cat_id=2 

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Acer griseum and Arbutus F. unedo are nice, as is Amelanchier (single-trunk).
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Why not go for something different ?

    Positive points :-

    Aralia elata is a medium sized multi-branched tree .
    1) Excellent wildlife value ( a proper bee-magnet) ; black berries in September which birds gorge themselves upon .
    2) Flowers in August/September when many other plants are finished .
    3) Usually good autumn colouration ; purples , pinks and reds .
    4) Architectural shape can be a good backdrop for other trees and shrubs , or makes a good solitary specimen .
    5) Steady growing , doesn't get 'out of hand' .
    6) Massive leaves are easy to tidy up later in the year .

    Negative points :-

    1) Can somtimes sucker , but easily controlled . Nowhere near as invasive as Rhus typhinus .
    2) Spiny younger stems may pose a slight risk for children , but nothing toxic . At worst a slight scratch ;) . I just told mine to be careful , never any problems .

    I've had this tree for many years in my own garden , and I'm surprised that  it isn't more widely grown .

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    My apologies ; have just re-read your original post ! You're looking for a more fastigiate tree than I described above .

    Duuuh.....! :*
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