Flowered-corners, what first comes to mind for your situation:

- Serviceberry (amelanchier)
- One of the crabapples - the one that does better in your zone, you would have to inquire locally in a good nursery
- Redbud

I'm not sure about the hardiness of all of these for your area (I garden in a much warmer zone), so you would have to do some research in google, but I think any and all of those would be lovely and give you the informal look you seem to be after.

Eduarda

Flowered-corners- I just planted a redbud myself. They grow to the height of about 30ft with a about a 25 feet spread. Very nice ornamental tree but does appear to get a bit higher than what you say you want.(actually I think I may have planted mine too close to the house and now may have to move it,great!) However their is a varity called, 'Silver Cloud' - The leaves are variegated with pink and white. The plants are 12 feet tall and wide.

Perhaps a flowering cherry would be nice the ones I read about grow 15-25 feet.
Meghan

I was going to recommend Serviceberry too.
I like redbud but have found that they can be brittle and break easily. Worth it though if the spot is sheltered from the wind.
If you don't need flowers, Japanese Maple is always nice.
Do any of your neighbors have a crabapple? If they do that will often be enough to pollinate an apple. Also some apples are partially self fertile.

My mom has Crepe Myrtle Trees that are gorgeous, and don't get too big.

I have a few Japanese Maples that I love. Ones with red foliage and ones with green. They are so lacy and delicate. Very pretty trees.

I'm not sure if these are suited to your zone, check it out!

With a height restriction of 10 feet, you may want to look at shrubs that can be shaped up for a tree look. There are some crepe myrtles that are under 10 feet, but they are for zones 7-9. Japanese maples, as others mentioned are available in that size and they are slow-growing.

Here are my favorite trees (in addition to serviceberry that has already been mentioned):

magnolia virginiana: sweetbay magnolia, semi-evergreen, fragrant blossoms in March. Can take wet feet or not. 30x20

Chionanthus retusus: Chinese fringetree, deciduous, fragrant in May/June, well-drained soil. 20x15.

Evodia danellii : Korean Evodia, deciduous, average/fast growth, white flowers in summer, red fruit after. 30x30.

Franklinia alatamaha: Franklin tree, deciduous, fragrant July/August white flowers. 20x15

hepaticodium miconiodes: seven-son shrub, deciduous, fragrant white flowers. 20x10

Vitex (chaste tree) could be pruned in late winter each year to keep it down in size.

A large buddleia (butterfly bush) is a possibility.

Betula nigra Fox Valley 'Little King' is 10x12.

Cercis canadensis 'Covey' is a weeping form 6x8.

Magnolia x 'Ann' is 10x10 and will work in zone 5.

Prunus x 'Snow Fountain' is 10x15.

Hi,

Is Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana var. virginiana) self-fertile? Does anyone have just one specimen growing in a region where there are none nearby and yet still get fruit?

Thanks,
Steven

For a small tree I just love Serviceberry.

Magnolia 'Butterflies' has lovely yellow flowers and I don't think it would get too big and the soft yellow flowers would look nice next to your house.

Bloodgood Japanese maple is a good grower but if you are getting mainly morning sun you might try a Full Moon Maple. They have gorgeous chartreuse green leaves. I think that would really pop against your blue house.

I have one sweet bay magnolia virginiana. It is in full bloom right now. It smells wonderful