Recommendations please for a small ornamental tree for a front garden

rubble2

Hi, we are in the process of organising a front garden make over and would appreciate any recommendations for a small ornamental tree that we could plant.

The garden is east facing and I would guess the soil is largely sandy. We did inherit a Rowan tree originally but it was in totally the wrong place - too close to the pavement and the driveway so it used to shed berries everywhere, this has been removed and we are looking for a replacement which will go in a more central position.

Ideally it would be relatively low maintenance - not too tall/too much spread and preferably no berries to drop, something that adds a bit of interest all year round would be good.

As you can probably deduce we are not that well up gardening wise so would appreciate any information/guidance.

Thanks

Farway

How about a crab apple? Lots of choices regarding final sizes, colour of blossom, apples etc. They will drop the fruit of course, but the winter birds will thank you for them

Check out Laura, for instance, not limited to supplier I've linked to

Ornamental cherry would do the same, lots of choices again, with bonus the birds will eat any cherries off the tree before they drop.

There are varieties of both that are tall columnar, spectacular in bloom if a bit nondescript rest of the year, maybe someone can recommend one with Autumn colour?

Whatever you choose, remember to water it all next summer

Emmia

I'd recommend an acer, lovely foliage, no berries etc. to drop and lovely colour in the autumn. They're pretty slow growing too, so not likely to take over your garden.

I've got "firecracker" 
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/306730/acer-palmatum-firecracker-pbr-(d)/details

but there are a number of varieties - it is deciduous though.

Woolsery

How about a bay tree, Laurus nobilis? In a warm area, a standard olive can be good too. I saw a children's play area landscaped with olive bushes a few months ago. It was coastal,  not in a frosty place.

theoretica

How small is small?

Robinia? Laburnum? Hawthorn?  Bird Cherry?

Eldi_Dos

It used to be a tradition in rural areas up here to plant a Rowan either side of gate that led to front door.When they got to a suitable height the leading parts of trees were grafted together conjoining the trees to make a arch. The folklore was that witches would not pass under a Rowan arch so the house was safe.

rubble2

Thanks for all the replies, I will look into the various trees suggested

twopenny

Late to the party I'm pleased with the one I wanted for years.

Prunus  Nigra is a purple leaved plum that is smothered in pink and white blossom before any other comes out.

It's a narrow growth top and root, it is deciduous but the stems are purple and it's slow growing, shortish and easy to prune into shape. Takes very little effort

https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/prunus-nigra

[Deleted User]

Emmia said:

I'd recommend an acer, lovely foliage, no berries etc. to drop and lovely colour in the autumn. They're pretty slow growing too, so not likely to take over your garden.

I've got "firecracker" 
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/306730/acer-palmatum-firecracker-pbr-(d)/details

but there are a number of varieties - it is deciduous though.

Gorgeous but won't tolerate winds though, a sheltered site is advisable.

[Deleted User]

Choosing is so hard as so many variables !
I'd choose Prunus 'Spring Glow' (double pink flowers) or Prunus 'Serrata' (bark colour and texture).
Magnolia 'Stellata'.
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' or 'Golden Tower'.
Those are all deciduous.

Callistemon varieties.
Pittosporum varieties.
Skimmia.
Aucuba.
Numerous dwarf and slow growing conifers.
Those are all evergreen.

As i said, soooooooo many variables etc etc.

Coffeekup

Emmia said:

I'd recommend an acer, lovely foliage, no berries etc. to drop and lovely colour in the autumn. They're pretty slow growing too, so not likely to take over your garden.

I've got "firecracker" 
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/306730/acer-palmatum-firecracker-pbr-(d)/details

but there are a number of varieties - it is deciduous though.

I second this I have. I have exactly the same goes a fantastic brilliant ree in autumn.... Even if it is only for 10 days