Help me pick a tree for my front yard!

Jesse_Dylan

Hi there! Are you guys sick of the "what tree should I choose?" threads yet?

Let me provide some qualifications first. I live in Minot, ND USA, which is climate zone 3 (I hope that makes sense--it might be just a US thing), which means it gets quite cold here.

Basically, I would like a tree that will grow fast and have a thick, bare trunk for me to lean against and read, hug, or even cry into if necessary (okay, maybe not in my front yard, but you never know). I am looking for a companion tree, as odd as that might sound. I'm also unsure how long I'll be living here, which is one reason I want it to grow fast.

(Is it wrong to plant a tree if I don't know how long I'll be here? The next resident could cut it down for all I know. I realize it's a tree, not a dog, but I still care.)

On the other hand, I might be here 100 years for all I know.

I thought a silver maple might be just the thing, but then I read they have "vigorous feeder roots" that can clog septic tanks and crack sidewalks, not to mention can break in high wind (we have a LOT of wind here), which would pose danger to my eaves, window and roof.

Another important point--it's going to be close to my house, like 10-20 feet away front my front picture window/eaves/roof. I'll include pictures of my front yard so you can see where I want to plant.

My goal is to plant it in the spring (which would be like April 2011 or even May) unless you guys think I could get away with fall planting (winter sometimes hits in force before the end of October).

I had also thought of oak trees, but they don't seem to grow quickly, which may or may not be a problem.

I hope all this makes sense. I absolutely ADORE trees, but, as you can tell, I know nothing about them. But I love being around them. I am a tree hugger. They provide me with such love and comfort.

What kind of tree should I plant for climate zone 3, fast growth, a thick and bare trunk, close proximity to my abode, and happy companionship? Please help me, and thank you so much!

Here's my yard from two angles, pictures taken mere minutes ago. I hope it works to attach them, because it wasn't liking my linking from ???????????.

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Jesse_Dylan

I forgot to mention that connifers and fruit trees are undesirable. I'd like something as low-maintenance as possible. Trees with flowers would be okay, though. I don't mind petals, blossoms and flowers. I'd just mow them up when they were on the ground.

I also have been wondering if I even have enough room for a tree there and am hoping you guys can tell me.

Brent Ferris

Virtually every tree has flowers and fruit - if there are no flowers, there can be no fruit. You may not recognize conifer flowers, both male and female, nor the fruit - cones. Fruit varies with every family, usually with every genus.
Most trees can withstand a fair bit of wind, as long as they are planted properly, cared for, and not abused. Tall trees sway in the wind -- it's normal; trees that don't sway are usually dead.

Unfortunately trees that grow fast, usually grow tall, with widespread roots to support the large crown - so if you have a septic field at the front (or your neighbours do) bushes are probably the best option.

Honey Locust (Gleditsia) Red oak (Quercus) Poplar (Populus) Willow (Salix) and several Maples (Acer) are all considered fairly fast growing genuses - several species in each (except Honey Locust)-- which will grow in your climate; each has positives and negatives,. Try to decide how tall you want the tree to get, what kind of fruit you can tolerate, how dense a shade you want -- whether grass is more important than the tree -- and tell us what kind of soil you have, and if there are any other issues besides wind (like long periods of drought, floods, icestorms etc) and maybe we can narrow down the choices a bit for you.