Fun thing to think about! You know, the best choice probably depends on what the rest of your landscape looks like (you know, lawn, leafy, desert, etc) and how formal vs. casual.

That being said, a wonderful tall date palm would be lovely, although as you said, you'd have to have the fronds and fruit removed every year or so.

A nice big colorful citrus tree would be really wonderful too. Although you would be somewhat challenged finding one to purchase that's got ten clear feet of clearance. Just imagine a big, glossy-leaved orange tree with big beautiful fruit on it that you can harvest and share. I have several and really like them. I don't think they're *super* high maintenance either. I just keep mine watered, trimmed a bit, and I harvest the ripe fruit, which is really showy.

A nice, big gnarled and contorted Palo Verde or Palo Brea tree would be a nice specimen too, especially with some uplights on those amazing green trunks at night. There's a little maintenance with them with minor leaf drop, some blooms and then small bean pods. A big desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) would be really pretty, but they are a lot messier with faded blooms, seed pods, and autumn leaves.

If you like tropical, a fun trio of different-height Mexican fan palms would be an interesting focal point, but only if you like palms and don't mind the yearly or every-other year task of removing older fronds.

If it was my place, and I could find one big enough, I'd go with a really beautiful citrus specimen first, and then a palo verde second.

I'm curious to hear what others think. Let us know what you select and how it works out. You've got a ton of great options!

Take care,
Grant