From my research so far an Amelanchier might be a good choice, except that I planted one in the front yard last year already. Compared to that ideal tree I love its irregular branching, but the leaves dropped in fall very quickly and it’s bare in winter. I thought of a Hawthorn "Winter King", but I have heard that the flowers smell bad. Any other suggestions?

I have a second site in the backyard which is semi-shade to shade. I would love an evergreen that either grows relatively slow or doesn’t get above approx 40 ft. My web searches led me to Balsam fir, but a local nursery man said that they don’t do well in PA, and recommended "picea orientalis", Oriental Spruce.

Any thoughts and recommendations are more then welcome.

you might try hemlock for your evergreen.

i have the winter king in my front yard -- about the only place i get sun. I'd suggest it for a sunny spot. Bark exfoliates very nicely after about 10 years. flowers are a fragrant cloud of white after pale pink buds that last 7 to 10 days. scent is a heavy vanilla-ish that can be overwhelming in a warm close area. its similar to milkweed or sweet autumn clematis. leaves are dull yellow in the fall if they make it that far into the season-- they tend to start dropping about the middle of august from somesort of disease (rust), otherwise they start the summer as a deep almost glossy green. Berries stay on the tree until late winter or spring (birds don't eat them until the berries freeze several times) and look really great after christmas. lots of seedlings are a problem as are the thorns(2-3 inches and sharp) all said and done i'd still keep my tree. i takes pruning nicely, with work in the early years it could be shaped artistically. mine has topped out about 30 feet tall by about 18 wide.

you could try red bud or a dogwood. or explore japanese maples wich would like a bit of shade.

diggerb

I have Styrax grandifolius in part shade and it flowers pretty well (or well enough). Not sure that it would work for you, but there are trees that tolerant more shade than others. Unfortunately, having those maples there will make it a bit more difficult.

And wanting 4 season interest might make it a bit harder to find something unless you do something evergreen (like Ilex opaca, American holly); there are plants with exfoliating bark that some people consider of interest in winter. Heptacodium miconiodes is one such tree (likes sun though), paperbark maple (Acer griseum) is another.

Hope that helps.

diggerb - having info first hand about how it is to have (for example) a hawthorn, is exactly what I'm looking for.

Esh ga - I do get more sun in the front, so I do hope the Amelanchier will be doing well. I will also check Styrax grandifolius.

Finally, I know that I am looking for a lot - 4 season interest and evergreens without much light. In the end I might have to give up on some trait or another, but this way I have more to choose from.

Thanks again.

Assuming it fits in your space requirements, its a great tree. Its also not as overused as some others and has a fantastic flower display.

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