Suggestions : Front yard tree (landscape, growing, magnolia, trees)

[StanFischlerHockE]

Well it seems my maple will need to be cut down. See post Maple Tree Bark Issue

I have a very small front yard. Triangle shape. I get sun all afternoon, as the front is facing west. Can someone recommend a good tree for Zone 7 : north Carolina. Would you recommend another maple?







Thank you.

[JQ Public]

If you want a maple...Get a red maple. Maples do very well in NC.

As far as oaks...white oak, willow oak, Southern Red Oak, and Northern Red Oak do well in zone 7.

Good luck!

[Luvvarkansas]

Well, they've been maybe a little bit overused, but 'Natchez' crepe myrtles grow really quickly and are pretty and would be just the right size for that spot, I think.

I have one that's growing like a weed in my yard with no special care, and it bloomed when it was really young. In NC, you would probably get good fall color out of one.

[StanFischlerHockE]

Thanks for the advice. Do you know what kind of red maple i have according to the picture?

What do you recommend?

October gory or Autumn Blaze?

[msm_teacher]

For NC we have always used October glory - beautiful color, hardy, etc.

As another poster said, the natchez crepe myrtle is used a lot. That is because, as the poster said, they grow quickly and offer year round interest. Our motto is if you see something thriving in parking lots, then it must be easy to grow so lets get some, too.

A favorite tree of mine is the little gem magnolia. It's everygreen and has beautiful flowers. But, I wouldn't plant it in line with the front door if that is where its going.

[PlainWhite]

Little gem or teddy bear magnolia would look mighty nice there.

[trlhiker]

This is what I am looking at to replace my Paulownia tree.
Spring Bride Crabapple

[J&Em]

Little Gem is a good choice for the area, but it will not get to be a shade tree anytime soon since it is quite slow growing. Ours sits on the south/southwest side of the house and, in spite of strong winds causing leaf burn during a bitter winter, it has been thriving beautifully. We also have one each October Glory and Autumn Blaze that have both been doing well in similar conditions to yours (southern sun, clay soil). Our Landscape Planner also introduced us to an oak that is a southern variety that actually thrives in clay soils called the Nutall Oak. So far both are doing well.

Clemson University Extension has a good review of trees commonly planted in this region. You can get an idea of other possibilities, and how big the various types of trees will get and how fast. That may be important with the shape of the yard you are trying to plant in.

HGIC 1016 Maple : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina

Another website (for Trees Atlanta) with a good description and pictures of many of the same trees:
50 Atlanta Trees