Correct choice of trees vital for later enjoyment

As I have mentioned in this column, fall is an excellent time to plant woody ornamentals, particularly shade trees, but selecting the right tree is a challenge for many. Trees are planted for the long term, so correct selection is critical for success.

Because of smaller lot sizes and the proliferation of patio homes, more and more homeowners have limited space and can't accommodate large trees. Fortunately, several small trees perform well in the Augusta area and fit in small spaces.

The following is a suggestion of small trees to consider for your landscape:

- American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) is a native small tree. Also known as ironwood or musclewood, because of the smooth, gray, fluted trunk. The tree can grow to 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide. The leaves can provide yellow to bright orange-red color in the fall. This is a tough urban tree that is tolerant to wet sites.

- Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a fairly common landscape tree that's native to the Southeast. Growing to 25 feet high and 30 feet wide, it's a fairly heavy-branching, multistem tree with dark-green leaves. The flowers of the native species are reddish-purple at bud stage, opening to a lighter pink. Many cultivars have other flower colors. The plant does well as an understory tree but also performs well in the full sun. The leaves turn a bold yellow in the fall.

- White fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) also is called the Grancy Gray-beard. In the wild it might reach 25 to 30 feet tall with an equal spread, but under landscape conditions it often reaches 12 to 20 feet tall with an equal spread. This tree takes full sun to partial shade that has an open, spreading habit. It has slightly fragrant flowers in the spring. Fall color ranges from bright or golden yellow to a yellowish green-brown.

- Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a great small tree that performs best in a shady or understory environment. It grows 25 feet tall and equally as wide. The early spring flowers are greenish-white to white and can last about two weeks. Some cultivars offer other flower colors and even variegated leaves, but native seedlings seem to do best.

- American smoketree (Cotinus obovatus) is a small, rounded tree growing to about 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide. The flower-related parts are hairy and can be pronounced, which gives rise to the common name. Fall color can range from orange to purple.

- Two-winged Carolina silverbell (Halesia diptera) is a relatively little-known native tree that reaches about 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It's a multistem, low-branch tree that can be used in sun or shade, but definitely prefers shade. In the sun, the leaves might bleach out or turn yellow under water stress in the full sun. The tree is named for the white, bell-shape flowers that hang from the stem in early spring. In the fall, the leaves turn a bold yellow.

- Commonly used holly (Ilex) species, cultivars and hybrids include: (1) Savannah holly, an upright, open-growth tree with light-green leaves that does well in tough sites and usually has abundant berries; (2) Foster holly, an upright, densely branching plant with dark-green, high-gloss leaves, that can be shaped easily with light pruning; and (3) East Palatka holly, which is similar to Savannah but with darker green leaves.

- Little Gem magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is a cultivar of the large Southern magnolia. Little Gem grows only to about 20 feet tall. The tree will flower at a small size (3 to 4 feet) and has blooms throughout the summer. It does best in full sun but will stay fairly dense under shade. Plantings create a very effective hedge or screen.

Sid Mullis is director for the University of Georgia extension service office for Richmond County. Call him at 821-2349, or send e-mail to smullis@uga.edu.