I would like to suggest five small trees for consideration to add to your home landscape. The trees are:
American Hop Hornbeam, (Carpinus caroliniana)
Size: Approximately 25 feet tall by 25 feet wide.
Growth: Slow.
Flower: Not very showy.
Bark: Gray and smooth.
Fall Color: Orange-red.
This tree is a native to the region. It should be transplanted in the spring, will grow on dry sites, and can grow in shady spots as well.
Blackhaw Viburnum, (Viburnum prunifolium)
Size: 15 feet tall by 12 feet wide.
Growth: Slow.
Flower: White in spring.
Fall Color: Red.
This tree is also a native and transplants well to most soil conditions. It can be planted in sun to partial shade, and is a good choice for dry sites.
Corneliancherry Dogwood, (Cornus mas)
Size: 20 feet tall by 15 feet wide.
Growth: Medium.
Flower: Yellow in spring before the leaves appear.
Bark: Exfoliating, flaky.
Fall Color: Varies.
This dogwood is not native to the United States so it is resistant to the disease that affects our native flowering dogwood. This dogwood can be planted in sun to partial shade.
White Fringetree, (Chionanthus virginicus)
Size: 15 feet tall by 15 feet wide.
Growth: Slow.
Bark: Gray and furrowed.
Flower: White in spring.
Fall Color: Yellow.
The Fringetree is native to the area. It should be transplanted in the spring to a sunny location.
Witch Hazel, (Hamamelis viginiana)
Size: Approximately 25 feet tall by 20 feet wide.
Growth: Medium.
Flower: Yellow, around November.
Bark: Smooth.
Fall Color: Yellow
Common Witch Hazel is native to the area. It is tolerant of urban conditions, but prefers moist soils. It should be planted in a shady location.
Any one of these trees would be a great addition to your landscape, large or small. All of these trees are readily available at area nurseries.
--Jay Banks, Arborist
Town of Leesburg
