Your space doesn't look wide enough for a tree. Sun screens or an awning would be able to shade your window and allow the plants in your front bed to get the sun they need.

You cannot keep an actual tree trimmed down to six or seven feet tall. That size is a shrub not a tree. I would suggest you start looking at shrubs. Forget the tree. A camellia might be just what you need.

I don't know Santa Barbara -- would a smaller-variety crape myrtle work there? I'd say chaste tree (vitex) but suspect it would get too big in a mild climate.

I would think about growing something in a large pot. It will give it a 18" or so height boost and you won't need to worry about the roots. You could grow a large shrub and trim off the lower branches, so it will be like a small tree.

I have a Pyrus kawakami and there are many in our neighborhood. I think it would be possible, but take a lot of pruning to keep it the desired size. Mine is about 8-10 feet tall with a trunk about 8 inches in diameter and I prune it severely into a decorative shape which probably restricts its growth. Others in our neighborhood are much bigger. Ours is about 2 feet from the house and roots did go under the house. We discovered that when having foundation replacement (not due to the tree). The roots seem to be deep enough to not lift the walkway. They are susceptible to fireblight.

Have you considered a dwarf fruit tree? I have a low-chill Anna apple on M-111 rootstock, trained as an espalier. It is about 7’ tall.

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry it's taken me until now to get back to this discussion. It was a hellish day at work, capping a high stress week. I'm so glad it's Friday evening and I have had a glass of wine.

Debra, thank you! How great to hear from a neighbor--and those Ceanothus bush/trees are gorgeous! Breathtakingly stunning. Several of you mentioned bushes and if I can get one and shape it like this it would be great. It wouldn't provide the shade I dream of but I have heavy curtains with blackout lining so it isn't essential, more off a nice to have kind of thing. What it would do, which I want, is to provide a third level of height. And I think it could add to the "meadow-y" look I am going for.

Alas, no edibles in the front per park regulations. That's why it's taken me so long to find something acceptable. Between the drought issues (though the park has plenty of its own private water supply), the park's limitations, and my own desire not to ruin the foundation off the house with roots (or have a 30-foot tree right in front), it's been a tough search. But maybe Debra has come up with the solution. I can really see that.

I want to thank each one of you. I have bookmarked this discussion and have already read it three times. You have been so kind, and I am always open to other comments and ideas. Thank you again!

Are you taking any water restrictions into consideration?

Best wishes in your new home.

Yes, I am, Socks. While my city has light restrictions--we have a desalination plant plus about two years' worth of water--my park has its own water as well. We are asked to be careful but nothing more. Most people are, I think. Many have low- or even no-maintenance yards; succulents seem popular but I think it has less to do with water than people not wanting to care for yards or put out much on gardeners. It's a been-there-done-that kind of thing. But as this is my first home I am willing to do more to have a nicer look that brings me pleasure to look at.

No edibles? Darn. My favorites are edible.

Do you like roses? Perhaps a climber on a trellis would work. It could be nice with the meadow/wildflowers you're planning. Or an arbor/slim pergola thing spanning the space with vines (or roses) would offer extra shading.

Don't tell your friend I said this, but she's not the best tree photographer. :) I wonder if it's a walnut of some sort.

Heh, Fori. She doesn't even pretend to be a photographer. We were having a lunch in front of the store when I noticed the tree. It seemed cool even on that hot day. So after lunch we walked over and I asked her to take some pictures for my gardener-to-be. I will look into walnut, thank you. But I think we are going to go with the lilac bush AKA tree-to-be.

We can have edibles, just not in the front. I wish we could but I do plan to do the sides and back with pomegranate, passion fruit, golden berries (gooseberries), strawberry guavas, blueberries, tomatoes, lettuces, and various vegetables. Those will all come in time.

Bottlebrush trees are nice and so are desert willows. A good place for plants is high country gardens. Xeric landscapes can be just as beautiful as those English gardens...I would include agastaches and salvias.

Viper, I really do not like xeric landscapes or the plants that make them up. With one exception you mentioned--the salvias are quite lovely. I think I might use a couple of those on the front sides of house; they would be a very pretty complement to the front. Thanks!

Here’s a pic of our desert willow, a small tree which blooms 7-8 months a year for us. Whats not to love about this mojave desert native!

I think a tree would be too difficult to manage in a tight space as the size you want it to be may inflict it with more problems. I would suggest a vine, say the Lonicera hildebrandiana (Giant Burmese honeysuckle which would grow 10-12 feet easily but can be "reconfigured" to whichever form you want. The leaves and the blossoms are attractive. The scent is heavenly.

Thanks, mojavemaria, but I .do not like--have never liked--what I term "scrubby." That is scrubby. It would work nicely in Mojave and yes, it is pretty, but I don't like anything about the desert. Never have, never will.

Otcay, I am going with the lilac shrub and turn it into a tree. (But I am seriously considering the honeysuckle in a large pot. I can tell from online pictures it likes to take over its location. But heavenly scent and hummingbirds sound lovely! My gardener-to-be likes it as well and knows a nursery that carries it here. So we will likely use those a two trees in the front along with the no-mow grass and wildflowers. I plan to meet with him this week to finalize the plan and get it into the management office for approval.

I really, really appreciate everyone's help. I really had no idea it could be so involved and ultimately exhausting. THANK YOU!