Mid-Size Specimen Trees

     On a day like today, slightly overcast, misty, with a dewy glow that allows all shades of green to have a place, even the weeds. The garden is a thing of beauty. I know of its areas of needed improvement, but on a day like today, it is hardly noticeable. Gardens should always be a place of tranquility and peace; however, as a person that makes their living in the garden, I know that this is not always the case. Recently, I have had the great pleasure of designing my own garden. It will be a long process as I am a patient gardener when it comes to my own home. My first plan is to pick a specimen tree for the front of my house. The specimen tree I would like to be multi-stemmed, preferably with interesting bark, beautiful fall colour and cool leaf. 

http://forestry.about.com/

I am somewhat uncertain of what sort of specimen tree I am looking for. Originally, I wanted my gardens to be only native plants. I am still considering this, but I have also always wanted a paperbark maple, (Acer Griseum.) Native to central China and a zone 4, I have seen it grown in gardens around Toronto, but I may be too far north if I am not careful to protect it from the elements. 

Acer Griseum

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Another introduced species that I am considering is the hardier Amur Maple, (Acer Ginnala;) in which case, I would group in 3s. A beautiful tree with an interesting leaf. I like it because it isn't a large tree, (although, despite what I have read online, I have seen it get much bigger then 5ft!!!) It does look almost shrub-like, which I like.

Acer Ginnala

http://www.grainesdumonde.be/

On to the native selection. My first instinct was to go with a serviceberry, (Amelanchier Canadensis,) (the picture shown is an Amelancheir grandiflora 'Ballerina'.) An absolutely beautiful native to Canada tree, with gorgeous white spring blossoms, orang-ish berries and gorgeous fall colour. As a native plant it also serves a purpose in naturalizing an area and providing food to birds and other wildlife. 

Amelanchier Canadensis

http://plants.ritchiefeed.com/

The Eastern Red Bud, (Cercis Canadensis,) is also a gorgeous native plant which is known for purple blossoms in spring. It is so vibrant in colour that it is one of those incredible trees that people will often stop and ask you what kind of tree that is. In the summer, the leaves are quite large for a smaller size tree and heart shaped. The Red Bud also gets fantastic fall colour. There are different varieties and some are more shrubby then others. 

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Cercis Canadensis