In my very-non-professional opinion, I'd go with one of the smaller varieties you mentioned. Or maybe a variety that will flower about the time you put your house on the market? (flowering crab, dogwood, redbud...) That just seems like too tight of a space for what would eventually be a large tree. Granted by that time the house might not be your problem. As you pointed out, with a smaller tree you would have more leeway on position and could help break up the wall.

Spring is a few heartbeats away. Why not let the new owner plant their own tree choice? If the tree looks bad, remove it to improve marketability of your home, but I would not then plant another. I understand the desire to plant one, but I don't think it's the practical decision.

I agree fully with Catkim. Any young tree that you plant now is not going to be an impressive specimen in 6 months when you put your house on the market.

If money is tight, I honestly believe that you will find better ways to spend that several hundred dollars to spruce up your home for buyers. There are dozens of things that are recommended when "staging" a home for the market. None of them involve planting trees. :)

Hmmm...let's see...paint walls, clean, remove clutter...yep...plant trees is not on the list. ;-)

In some ways I have been trying to avoid the fact that I might have to sell this house and leave all my babies behind. Luckily it has only been the past two years that my gardening has taken on an obsessive level, so I guess it is better to move now than later. Hopefully the work that I have done on my landscape will help on the resale, but at a minimum it has been a great learning experience.

What I did not mention the potential move? In many ways this is a good chance for me to apply some of the principles that we have been talking about recently. If I "waste" $300 but learn a few things in the process then I won't feel too bad.

- Brent

Brent, I am facing the same thing. Right in the middle of a huge yard makeover yet now facing the unforseen possibility of moving and selling. So projects need to get finished and house needs to get spruced up outside for possible resale. But what if I don't end up selling and moving? Where are the appropriate compromises?

If the tree is unsightly, cut it down and plant something cheap and pretty, spring-flowering as part of the bed. Do it now to be ready for spring. But I say don't buy some snazzy couple of hundred bucks tree. You can still find some easy crabs/cherries/dogwoods, etc., for under $100.00. They will look nice even if small if you incorporate them with the bed next to the house. You won't regret them there. Save the bucks for a nice tree for your new place.

Actually you can get all sorts of ordinary small flowering trees for about $50 or less at box stores. One thing to remember is that if you plant it now and move in spring, the new owners may lose it unless they remember to water and take good care of it. Not your problem, of course.

I have trouble focusing myself on what really needs to be done, but it would be more practical to work on something else than your new tree.

So, the million dollar question: are you moving Otto, or leaving him behind?

Increasing the size of the planting area up against the house to accomodate something the size of even a small tree seems like a lot of work for something purely decorative for the purpose of curb appeal.

Get rid of the tree if it's ugly, including the stump, and reseed the lawn where it was. Plunking something in without a plan for it is a waste of money. The buyers will have their own vision for what they want it to look like. I tore out half of what a previous owner laboriously and lovingly installed in the fifteen years he gardened here because it didn't work for me.

Brent,
I have to agree with most of the other posters. Don't waste your money on a tree right now. Get rid of the pine and have the stump ground out. Here, that will cost you about $150 total, less if you take out the tree yourself and just pay for the stump grinding ($75).

Think how much fun it will be when you have a whole new yard to play with! DH and I have certainly had our trials and tribulations starting with an acre-and-a-half "blank slate", but I wouldn't give back the past year playing in our "sandbox" for anything.

Take what you have learned an move on.

So, inquiring minds really need to know. Does Otto stay, or go with?

.....Jan

PS. We are finally getting rain from TS Tammy. Are you guys getting any?

Okay...if I do something here then it will be modest. I have thought many times about removing that pine and reworking this part of my foundation bed. Purely for resale, it seems like a good idea to pull out the almost dead Rhodie and stick something else there, but that might just have to be whatever I find on sale this fall.

Yes, the 4 Ottos will stay. They actually look better now than they do in the picture I posted above (though my lawn is much more brown right now...I can't remember it looking that green). For the record, I have more Viburnums than I do Laurels.

"I tore out half of what a previous owner laboriously and lovingly installed.."

This is kind of a sad thought, but I can see it happening. I have looked at few houses that were "professionally landscaped" and I was not real impressed. I could not help thinking what I would plant after I ripped out what was there. I envision somebody purchasing my house partly because they love my garden and working to expand what I have started, but I doubt that will be the case. Maybe I will give them my number so they can call me before throwing my babies in the trash.

Yes!! We finally seem to be getting a decent amount of rain.

- Brent

Brent,

Maybe I will give them my number so they can call me before throwing my babies in the trash.

I did exactly that when we moved three years ago. We have kept in sporadic contact with the buyers of our house. They are not much into gardening and are quite happy to let me come divide perennials - it makes the beds look better and I get divisions of some of my favorite plants.

Ann

Brent,

I'm with everyone else on the "prep for selling" notions. Get rid of the tree and plant a bunch of gorgeously complimentary colored annuals in the spring in front of your shrubs for curb appeal: Just for inspiration, lol, here's some shots of a house I saw in Sacramento this summer :^)

Curb Appeal 1
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Curb Appeal 2
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Curb Appeal 3
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I just have to say how oddly sad I feel about your moving. After all these months of being with you during this home's evolution, I guess I've grown attached to you and your ottos there. Oh well, you'll have great fun at your new place.

Cheers,

Karen

Hi Brent:

I've enjoyed reading many of your posts as you have tried to puzzle through various aspects of landscaping your yard. I can certainly understand why it would be difficult to imagine leaving, after all of that thought and work.

Fwiw, I'm going to go against the consensus here and support your original suggestion of planting a smallish deciduous tree close to the house, essentially extending the foundation bed in front of the right side wall into the lawn a bit. Some type of redbud would be my suggestion--I think the open vase shape would look great against the backdrop of the wall, even in a tree that is not completely mature. (I recently tried to convince my sister to plant a serviceberry, which has more 4-season interest, but from what we saw at the nursery, this is a tree that, even when purchased at a height of 7-8', takes several years to gain a pleasing and non-twiglike form). Moreover, if you avoid the fancy cultivars, a redbud will not be expensive.

I agree and understand the point that "plant a tree" is not high on the normal list of quick curb appeal measures; however, curb appeal must ultimately be examined in its specific context. Here, what I see as a major detractor from the curb appeal of your house is that blank side wall. I seem to recall from an earlier post that the wall no longer looks as crooked as it does in the photo above. Nonetheless, when I look at the front of your house (without looking at the plan, or having other knowledge of your property), I do not understand what it is doing there, and I find this visually unsettling. It has no windows, so does not appear to be part of the rest of the house. It seems to represent some kind of addition, but addition of what? It almost looks like a small garage might look, except there is obviously no driveway. The pergola above hints that there may be some sort of outdoor space behind the wall, but it appears that space would be cramped rather than inviting. . I think a tree planted in front would at least give the wall a visual purpose for being there, which is to serve as the background for the tree. In this sense, it's not about planting a tree, it is about a relatively cheap and cosmetic disguise for something that appears to be an architectural defect. (Sorry, I don't mean to harsh on the house, the rest of which is really quite cute--just trying to give you a different perspective on curb appeal issues)

By contrast, the pine tree about which you are rightly concerned is relatively far away from the house. You know it's there and it bothers you because you live in the house and look out everyday, but I suspect that, from the street, it is barely in the sightline of the average person who will be looking at the front of your house. I suspect it is also unlikely to show up in a front-on photo of the house that your agent or prospective buyers would take. From this perspective, I'd say that unless the tree is so sick that it might possibly fall on your house between now and next summer--or look like it might fall on your house--I'd leave that for the next owners to worry about.

Re: annuals, I note that while they would generally be a lot cheaper way to provide color than a tree, planting a single tree may be less work than planting a large annual bed (though Karen's photos are certainly inspiring).

I'm headed out--torrential rains and all -- this afternoon to one of the big nurseries in our area (the one that begins with an M and has two NoVa locations) to look at trees. I'll take a look at the redbuds and report back on what size you can get for what price, in case that helps.

Good luck with whatever you decide -- a bittersweet decision, in any event, I'm sure. Kate

Just to clarify, Brent, I offered those photos with tongue firmly planted in cheek. I was overwhelmed when I saw that house, and all I could think about was the weekly labor costs for maintaining it! I did, tho, like some of the flower combinations, [have some closeups if you want them] and only imagined you cramming in some of these around your shrubs below the window a few weeks before it goes on the market.

As I read Kate's reasoning and relook at the photo, I can see her point about that blank wall. These ideas are not mutually exclusive.

Brent, just in case you're interested -- I saw a variety of redbuds, 7'+, at the M--------- garden center metioned above, for prices ranging from $110 - 325 depending on cultivar and maturity. This does not appear to be a great time of year for redbud foliage, but the bark and shape of the trees look like they would make an interesting winter silhouette against your wall. -- Kate (very soggy)

p.s. definitely agree with Karen that even with the tree, some easy care annuals tucked in around foundation shrubs will give you a nice color punch.

Brent,
I bought a six foot (2 inch calliper) Forest Pansey Redbud this past spring on sale for $60. Kate is right, the leaves are rather ragged looking this time of year, but by springtime they will have been replaced with new ones and my tree was just lovely when it was blooming last April/ May.

I guess if I were the one shopping for a new house in the spring, a flowering redbud would certainly be a turn-on (as would existing planting beds).

......Jan

Karen: That is exactly what I was thinking of doing...well maybe not. I wonder how many of those plants reseed, versus are grown from seed versus are purchased yearly. I will be sure to add in a few flats of annuals and I have a few bags of bulbs to plant.

Kate: Thanks for the feedback. The term "architectural defect" might be about right. At a minimum it was an odd design decision. We used to call the area behind the wall "the gravel pit" but I cleared out some of the gravel and planted some ferns, hostas, heuchera, a Pierris japonica and a Hydrangea. It turned out nice with the main reason being to give the area a purpose. We now call it "the courtyard".

I was out this weekend dragging around the tape measure and looking at this area...okay I was doing that on Sunday...Saturday I was watching the constant downpour of rain. We ended up getting somewhere between 6" to 8" in two days. I put my son's new toy metal detector to work to locate the in ground stakes. BTW, the pine is looking browner each day and I am pretty sure it has to come down.

I am thinking that I really do not have room for anything much more than a large shrub..or a narrow shrub if I do not remove the Burning Bush. From the corner of "the wall" to the street is 22', so my property line sits about 7' in from the road. The location of the pine tree has always been a little awkward. It is too far out to integrate into the foundation bed and it disrupts the flow between the front and side yards. A tree spaced 8 to 10 feet from the wall would cause the same issues. If the neighbor's cherry tree was not there, I could see a medium sized tree positioned in that open area (to the right of the pine tree in the front house picture).

I think I am going to keep an eye out for a shrub to replace the nearly dead Rhododendron. Right now I am thinking maybe another rhodie, an azalea, a viburnum or a holly. Spring flowering or evergreen would be nice. The Burning Bush's spot on the area's list of exotic invasives has not motivated me to remove it yet, so this does not seem like a great time to remove a healthy shrub.

Thanks for letting me ramble.

- Brent

Brent:

I'm absolutely certain that those beds in the photos were done by 'nursery-men' who come in with vast numbers of flats of annuals, and then are tended regularly by same 'team' to monitor their fading and need for replacement. I've never seen anything like it--truly overwhelming in person. This homeowner probably tends nothing--certainly not seedlings!--but perhaps the roses. Anyhow, from a practical standpoint, I enjoyed looking at some of the color combos they use. Some were yuck, but others really lovely.

Karen

Hey Brent: I'm glad to hear you and your family have found a way to make the space behind that right wall work for you -- the courtyard sounds lovely. If you weren't moving, I'd suggest you consider punching a hole in that wall -- well, not really a hole, but a formal opening of some sort, e.g. window without glass, slatted screen, etc. -- to give passersby and visitors a small glimspe of what lies beyond. Good luck with your decisions -- Kate

Since I am rambling...here is the other side of the wall. Not ideal but decent for a little work, $50 worth of plants, free county mulch, and $20 for the metal edging. The plantings look pretty sparse in this picture...it seems to look better in person.

{{gwi:50887}}

- Brent

Just to be difficult because that is something I am good at, what I have seen in your photo's that is most curious to me is the three faces of your lawn. It goes from lush green to brown to half and half. I am not used to that anymore.

I do like your courtyard and the bench I see in it. You can see that it will grow in nicely. I like options for moving around and into and out of spaces. You have given a reason to enjoy and use that entry and a reason not to close the drapes.

As for the tree in front I think you should plant one. Kill the Pine. Even a small tree will soften the wall and the second story window above and behind it. I would put the tree 10' to 12' out from the wall and 1/3 of the "courtyard wall" length towards the driveway side. This will leave the sideyard corridor open and give a hint of privacy to come for the second story window from the road. You don't need to incorporate it into the foundation bed. The new owner can decide on that.

I think a buyer would get more from a small tree than a blank space. As realtors like to tell me over and over "people have no imagination when it comes to the landscape".

And if you choose well and space properly you may be able to drive by in 20 years and look at the gorgeous tree you planted. And that is priceless as credit card companies would have us know.

ilima

Brent, I think the courtyard actually looks quite nice in the photo. I particularly like the color and textures of the hardscape, as well as the shape of the bed. From inside the house, and inside the wall, the area does seems to work. Or more precisely--to give credit where credit is due--you have made it work with your design. But if you're concerned about curb appeal--and how much want to be concerned about it is obviously a matter of your own judgment and that of your real estate agent--you're left with the fact that this loveliness of this little nook does not translate to the front of the house, because of the solidity of the wall. If not the tree that ilma and I would vote for, I wonder about some vines draped over that pergola and hanging over the front of the wall, even plain old ivy. This would not only break up the wall, but would provide a visual cue of the pleasant space behind the wall, and an invitation to explore further. Of course, finding vines that will mature to such a length before spring is probably not an easy task.

I dunno UG, a few hours and a packet of morning glory seeds! :-)
There ya go Brent, problem solved for about two bucks!

Brent--

I like the idea of a redbud. RE curb appeal when selling a house...

Do some nice, large pots with colorful annuals. Lots of punch--the pots get them up off the ground and more at eye level--no weeding involved. I would do a group of three on the concrete pad right outside yoru front door--toward the front on the right-hand side as you are facing the house. Invest a little in some interesting pots--and keep them all in the same material/color. You can take 'em with you, and it gives the house a "finished/cared for" look.

No, I'm not a realtor. I've just helped numerous friends "stage" there houses.

If you need a fall/winter scene--go take a look at Audric's "pot reprise" post over in the gallery. That is the sort of thing I'm thinking of...

melanie

I like the idea of replacing the pine with a redbud. And the courtyard wall (as viewed from the street) might enjoy an espaliered apple tree or something, if it gets lots of sun. I was able to selectively prune a couple of dwarf trees I got at Costco 2 yrs ago (paying about $15 each) and they will be heavy fruit-bearers this year. They will have the vertical scale you need without becoming oversized in a few years, and they are a snap to prune. Add a few annuals around each tree and you're done!

Brent, what a tremendous change! Thanks for posting the new picture... I always like to know how things turn out. :)

Thanks for the update, Brent. I don't remember registering that plan view before, that the door is actually a breezeway? That's quite neat. The plantings look good - good enough to sell without being intimidating to non-gardeners.

KarinL