I would go for the Redbud first, based on your criteria. Nice flowers, unique leaf shape and habit. Second would go to the Carpinus with great bark and usually nice fall color. I think this is a more ornamental plant than the Ostraya. Ostraya also tends to holds leaves into the winter which you may or may not like. I have only seen a Cornus mas bloom once up here after a mild winter and I was underwhelmed. I love crabapples, but hesitate because of the part shade in the future.

None of them really do anything for me but the redbud would definitely be last on my list and (down here at least) they look horrible in full sun. (enter lou with his suggestion for mexican redbud and montezuma cypress)

Maybe the crabapple. Those can be problematic, you know. Same with dogwoods, they are high maintenance and they look better when not planted in full sun.

The hornbeam and hophornbeam/ironwood are ok, just not all that much to write home about. The hornbeam might block your view out of the window.

I guess I'd go with crabapple then.

Little more info as to my choices...maybe someone will think of something else. Appreciate the feedback so far.

- 10 years from now tree may only get south sun, so maybe 4-5 hours.
- Can't exceed 15' wide, otherwise needs to be a slower grower and tolerate some shade (east and west)...but still need something sizable initially (ie 6'H x 6'W)
- Need to prune up for walking clearance
- Using for screening by patio and baywindow
- Really looking for 2 strong ornamental features

This is why I'm struggling...nothing really says plant me!

I've condisdered a Paperbark Maple but the soil is average at best (little gravely, hit hard clay after 8") not sure if that is condusive to good growth with its slow growing nature and sometimes questionable hardiness...I could be wrong? Protected from westerly winds but not northerly.

Cercis canadensis
Told the foilage stays rather healthy in our area. Gets a nice gold fall color and doesn't get as many seed pods here as other areas. Plus the flowers! But could struggle in the soil conditions.

Carpinus carolina
Nice habit, good fall color (WI strain), cool bark, but no flowers. Will tolerate the soil conditions.

Ostrya virginiana
Probably best choice soil wise, but no real ornamental feature beyond bark. Yellow fall color is short lived.

Cornus Mas 'Golden Glory'
Bark is a good feature. Flower and berry reliablity is questionable.

Malus 'Sugar Tyme'
Flower + berries...very reliable, but may not like the limited sun 10 years from now. Typically dirty cheap.

How about serviceberry? Although these too can be problematic and short lived, and a little more maintenance, I've noticed they seem to do well in a broad range of conditions, have good blooms, showy fall, and the size shouldn't be an issue.

I probably should add that one to the list, definitely meets the the exposure and size requirments.

Only thing holding me back is that I have one already...its fall color was very impressive.

iforget-

What are you talking about? Montezuma cypress? Mexican redbud?

They won't survive where whaas lives. Too cold.

How about Shantung Maple then? âº

The carpinus can make an elegant little tree. Again, fall color is so variable I'd wait to see it in fall before buying. Does it absolutley, positively have to be planted this spring?

Redbud may struggle with the soil conditions? What are your soil conditions because RedBuds are quite adaptable, but I didn't know they grew so far up north.

I could wait till fall...but usually the "left overs" are available. Sometimes you can find good deals, but if you are looking for a specific tree it can be tough.

I've been told by the nursery they propagate with a WI strain which yields consistent reddish fall color.

Cercis canadensis will also be a WI strain. I recall Redbuds are adaptable in regards to soil ph but require a more rich, moist soil. The soil is this area is on the drier side and slightly gravely...maybe its not an issue.

I know this can always be a subjective question and is really dependent on locale but I know I should get a few people to push a particular plant.

So far looks like the majority would push Cercis or Carpinus...keep em coming.

Totally forgot about this one, what does everyone think about Heptacodium miconioides (Seven Son Flower)?

I planted one this past fall but don't have enough experience with it. I was inspired by the specimans at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.

One other thing to consider is whether you have any Junipers (Juniperus sp.) planted in your yard.

Planting an apple (Malus) will provide the alternate host needed for Cedar/Apple rust, which would probably not be a good idea. I believe that Amelanchier is also in the Rose family so Amelanchier also provides the alternate host as well.

I have an Acer triflorum, the three-flowered maple, and this tree may fit your wants: ornamental peeling bark, beautiful red to yellow fall color (buy in the fall as color is variable) grows well in either sun or shade, tolerant of many soil conditions and very nice leaves.

Here is a photo of my Acer triflorum in fall color:

{{gwi:327062}}

My tree no longer has/gets the scortched leaves, as shown in the photo. The first few years after planting, the leaves may scortch, but once the tree is established, this no longer occurres.

Two other trees you may want to consider are Acer pseudosieboldianum, the Korean maple and Stewartia pseudocamellia var Koreana, the Korean Stewartia. The Korean maple is zone 4a hardy and looks very much like a Japanese maple. I had one, but had to remove it since I had it planted way too close to some conifers. My tree had beautiful green bark and extraordinary fall color. I will post a photo of the fall color on my Korean maple after I get home from work. I don't have access to the photo here.

The other tree is Stewartia pseudocamellia var. koreana, The Korean Stewartia. I've had a Korean Stewartia growing in my zone 4a garden since 2001 and I have never had any hardiness issues. Stewartia is sometimes called "The Perfect Tree" since it has so many ornamental features. Stewartia has probably THE most ornamental bark of any tree. Here is a photo of Stewartia bark:

{{gwi:327063}}

The next feature is the flowers; Stewartia blooms during mid to late June and early July, when there are few trees in bloom. The species name of this tree, pseudocamellia, means false camellia, and you can see where that name comes from when you look at the flowers. Here is a flower from my tree:

{{gwi:327065}}

Fall color is EXTRAORDINARY! Here is a photo my my Stewartia in fall color in the fall of 2005:

{{gwi:327067}}

During the summer Korean Stewartia has very clean, beautiful green leaves and a nice upright, oval form.

There are so many cool trees available now via mail order. You may want to visit a local botanical garden/Arboretum to take a look at some of the other ornamental trees that do well in your area.

Since you're a whole zone warmer than I am, Korean Stewartia will do very well for you.
Good luck,
Mike

Man, I should have run the spell check before submitting that post. (:o(
Mike

Thanks for sharing...I've considered all of the above.

I was going to order the A. triflorum, but decided that I'll wait until fall to view fall color.

I do however have a Korean Maple on order. What type of growth rate did you see on this guy? I'm told in our area its pretty slow growing and they typically won't exceed 12'x12'.

I'm always nervous purchasing such delicate trees at such a small size, ie Korean Stewartia...I guess its a small investment $ wise but not time wise.

Good point on the rust diseases...there could be a juniper down the street and I could still have problems.

The majority of my trees are in the rose family, I should probably avoid adding more...Malus, Pyrus calleryana, Crataegus, Amelanchier....although I did chose more rust resistant cultivars.

Yes, I would wait until fall to be able to see the fall color on any Acer triflorum you may purchase.

I purchased my A. triflorum from Bachman's (A large nursery here in Mpls) and the tree I purchased was the only tree with good fall color. All the other trees had a dull, yellowish/brown color (well, if you can call dull, yellowish/brown a color?) and did not look good at all.

The Korean maple did grow fairly fast when young, but then slowed down as the tree got a little larger. When I cut the tree down it was probably 10' tall x 8' wide. I planted the tree in 2000 and cut it down last spring. The tree was about 2' tall when planted (purchased from Heronswood Nursery in Washington.)

I purchased my Korean Stewartia from Cloud Mountain Farm in Washington state (or Oregon; I don't remember). The tree was delivered in a large heavy paper mailing envelope. The tree was about 2.5' tall when delivered. I was shocked when I saw how the tree was mailed, but the tree was in great shape and never missed a beat. I've heard that Stewartia can sulk a bit after its roots are disturbed. Just make sure to keep the tree well watered after planting.

I'm not sure I would say the Korean stewartia is delicate. It's actually proved to be a fairly tough tree. My tree was quite small when planted and has done remarkably well considering stewartia is generally listed as a zone 5 tree.
Mike