Smaller Trees
Besides the trees described below, consider Acer palmatum, Acer circinatum, Cercis canadensis, and appropriate Cornus species, all discussed in the Plant Selection Guide section as small trees suitable for use beneath a canopy of tall trees. In milder climates all will grow in full sun.
Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree; Hardy to Zone 5) is deciduous, with a slow growth rate to 20 to 30 feet. Its large, bold leaves and open form cast medium shade. Leaves appear very late in spring, and turn golden in fall. The masses of small, fragrant, white flowers that appear in late spring are among the most beautiful flowers of any woodland plant. Dark blue berries ap¬pear in fall. Fringe tree will remain multitrunked and shrubby unless pruned to single trunk.
Cladrastis lutea (Yellowwood; Hardy to Zone 4) is deciduous, with a slow growth rate to 30 to 35 feet. Its upright branches create a vase shape. The large leaves, divided into leaflets, turn yellow in fall. The dense foliage makes medium shade. Beautiful, intensely fragrant wisterialike flowers cover the mature tree in June, and the branches and pods are attractive in winter. This is a tough tree, one that will withstand drought, extremes of temperature, and wet or alkaline soils.
Crataegus laevigata ‘Paulii, also sold as C. oxyacantha ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ (Taul’s Scarlet’ English Hawthorn; Hardy to Zone 5) is a deciduous tree with a moderate growth rate to 20 to 25 feet. Of the many hawthorns, this is perhaps the most beautiful for its masses of dou¬ble, intensely rose-red flowers in late May, followed by sprinkling of 1/2-inch scarlet berries in fall. The lobed, dense foliage makes medium shade. The tree forms a spreading, roundish crown. It is susceptible to fire-blight; check with your local nursery to find out whether another hawthorn is better suited to your area.
Franklinia alatamaba (Franklinia; Hardy to Zone 6) is deciduous, with a slow to moderate growth to 20 to 30 feet. The tree forms an upright, open pyramid. Its glossy leaves grow to 6 inches long, loose and open, and cast light to medium shade. The striking 3-inch flowers, which resemble single white camellias or roses, appear in fall, often as the foliage turns brilliant orange-red. This tree prefers some shade in hottest areas. It is perfect for the woodland garden, beneath a canopy of taller trees.
Koelreuteria paniculata (Goldenrain Tree; Hardy to Zone 6) is deciduous, with a moderate to fast growth to 30 feet. This tree is rounded when young, flat-topped at maturity. The open branches and bold-textured, compound leaves cast medium shade. Large clusters of bright yellow flowers cover the tree in early or midsummer, followed by fruits like Chinese lanterns, which remain through fall. It is tolerant of most adverse conditions.
Laburnum watereri `Vossii’ Tree; Vossii Laburnum; Hardy to Zone 6) is deciduous, with a moderate rate of growth to 20 to 30 feet. This upright, vase-shaped tree should be pruned to a single trunk. The bright green leaves are divided into three leaflets. It makes light to medium shade, and in hot climates prefers to grow in a little shade. In May, 18-inch pendant clusters of buttery yellow, wisterialike flowers appear. All parts are poisonous to eat but not to touch.
Magnolia soulangiana (Saucer Magnolia; Hardy to Zone 6) is a deciduous tree with a moderate growth rate to 25 feet. There is a great deal of variation in habit, flower color, and size among the many varieties, but the species is spreading and open. It can be pruned early as a single-trunked tree, or allowed to spread wide as a multitrunked tree. The leaves are 8 inches long, fairly dense, and make medium shade. The large (5 to 10 inches), spectacular, cup-shaped flowers appear before the foliage, even during winter in mildest areas. The species has white to rosy-red flowers, while varieties have white, purple, pink, or delicately tinted flowers. The tree blooms while still quite young. If you live in an area of late frost, ask at your local nursery about late-blooming varieties.
Malus floribunda (Japanese Flowering Crabapple; Hardy to Zone 5) is a deciduous favorite among over 600 species and varieties of crabapple. It has a medium to fast growth rate to 20 to 30 feet. Its spreading, gracefully arching growth casts medium shade. Masses of rosy buds open into pinkish flowers that fade to white. Ornamental reddish yellow 3/8-inch fruit appears in late summer, borne dependably if there has been some winter chilling; the fruit attracts birds.
Maytenus boaria (Mayten; Hardy to Zone 9) is an evergreen with a slow growth rate to 35 feet or higher, although it is usually seen as a smaller tree. It becomes rounded, with gracefully pendulous branchless and dainty, glossy leaves. It casts light to medium shade. Flowers and fruit are tiny and inconspicuous. This is one of the choicest small evergreen trees for mild-winter areas.
