The pictures alone do not explain why you're getting rid of the trees by the house corners. Is there something wrong with them? If not, why do your goals necessitate removal?

They're both crab apple trees and there are lots of wasps around when we moved in the early fall. We just don't like them and want to have a clean slate.

Thanks Yardvaark(9A)!

That looks great!

Do you think I can do something similar to the other side of the front landscaping?

Yes. For balance sake it should be similar.

Yardvaark- how did you draw that up? Do you have a software on your computer or is that an app on the phone? Thanks!

Update:

We're done clearing the lava rocks and are ready for planting. My idea was to plant a white weeping cherry on the one side by the front window. Ultimately its our decision but is there anything that would look nicer? I'm open to considering any ideas.

The rest of the landscaping bed we were thinking of planting low growing, tufts of a grass type. Something like 2 rows of4 or 6.

Finally, which type of small ornamental tree would 'fit' on the other side, by the garage? I would like it to all flow together.

Any further considerations would be most helpful.

TIA

Sorry, Drew. Didn't see your question. It was drawn with Microsoft Paint on a laptop, using a stylus.

"a white weeping cherry on the one side by the front window" - Do you mean placed as Yardvaark placed a tree? Be sure you choose a tree that will fit within the space as it grows. Cherries are often disease prone and have their most interest in spring, so usually wouldn't be my first choice for such a prominent spot. See how older ones in your area look - if there aren't any older ones, that probably should be an answer for you as to their suitability. I personally think an upright tree either in the lawn or off the right corner of the house would look best to balance the architecture.

I would be inclined to plant your grasses or whatever your choose in such a way that they will grow together rather than remain as separate individual plants. The mass will have more effect than individual spots from a distance, and it will suppress weeds better.

Thanks for your input NHBabs!

Ive reconsidered on the white weeping cherry. We're going to do another "drive around" in the neighborhood and find a normal, upright tree in the spot Yardvaark designated.

We're deciding on full ground cover or the 3 rows of 5 tufts of grass. I saw English Ivy and don't like that ground cover. We're were looking at Sedum and some other one.

Moreover, everyone has been very helpful and will post a finished pic once were all done with this project.

At the corner of the house, note that it is not a large tree ... roughly 16' to 20'. You already have the river birch going on in the front yard and someday it's going to be monster huge and should eventually have a high canopy so these two are not in competition for the exact same space.

Any suggestions for a small flowering tree for zone 5? I was looking at a Kwanzan flowering cherry, though it grows to 20 to 30 feet. I'm looking for a flowering tree that doesn't grow so large.

I would be looking at the small tree/large shrub category. Look at some of the possibilities on this list (select "large") ... http://extension.illinois.edu/shrubselector/sort.cfm?fn=Size&subfn=3