Small tree for very small garden!

I live in an east facing terrace house which is separated from the pavement by a very small -about 8' by 7'- garden plot. I wonder if anyone could give me some suggestions for a suitable tree to plant . The maximum height would need to be no more than about 10-12 feet. We get very strong southerly sea breezes funnelling along the street which have given my cordyline which is in a container on the other side of the front door a permanent bend in its trunck!

 

A suggestion - why not grow your tree in a sunken container - though you would need to feed it - then you can get what ever you want, as the roots will be contained. Think of magnolia stellata, or one of the ornamental cherries, or perhaps an acer possibly palmatum

 

My attempt at growing an Acer in similar windy conditions failed miserably Fran :( They're such beautiful trees but alas, I've resigned myself to not being able to grow one until my other stuff has grown to shelter it from the sea gales. :(
Does it have to be a tree barneyb?
Some of the acacias are good in sea gales, but will need hard pruning to keep them at the size you want. (melanoxylon,pravissima,riveraine)
Tamarisk are also great in those conditions, although a bit scruffy looking when planted alone.
What about a bamboo? Or Pampas Grass? Both fair well in sea wind (especially the pampas)Or a palm like Phoenix or Chamaerops. I'm going off sea gale conditions down here in Cornwall though, I'm sure someone will be along to give you far better advice re: Scotland.
Have fun BarneyB

 

Easterly gales off the sea are very different up here compared to the warm westerlies in other parts. A beast from the east brings really biting winds that can see off all but the hardiest. Also morning sun on frosted buds is the death of things like magnolia.

One you could try is the double red hawthorn; Crataegus laevigata - Paul's Scarlet. It's pretty hardy. Get one from a nursary that's been grown locally and has had some exposure. They are normally grafted so will need staking well. Only problem is they are not evergreen so a bit bare in winter.

Another tack could be an ornamental Crab apple (Malus) I know where there's an apple growing wild, presumably from a discarded core right on the beach at Kirkcaldy. Had lovely blossom this spring but didn't fruit, possibly due to its isolation from other trees.

(Which reminds me - I need to get back down there and try some hardwood cuttings again - earlier ones failed! )

[ 19. October 2006, 10:15 AM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

What about an evergreen cotoneaster, these can be bought as a tree and you get blossom and berries. We had one which we pruned back heavily now and again with no ill effects.

 

...... or a really pretty standard holly? Its Evergreen and will look really festive when decorated for Christmas!!! Some are slow growing too, so it'll be years before it gets too big. The birds love the berries as well.

 

Or a bamboo. Ok it's not a tree but the sound of the wind blowing through - so relaxing!

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm taken by the idea of a container Fran. Had a look at the magnolia, really pretty but appears to be quite slow growing , ideally I would like something that gets to a reasonable height quite quickly. I agree about the acer Windy, I have one in a container and it hasn't done very well in my very exposed location.I'll have a look at the acacias.I thought about pampas grass or a palm but I have both of these at the back of the house and although I love them I thought it would be nice to try something different.
I'd like a tree rather than a bush or shrub so probably wouldn't go for the tamarisk although it certainly grows well here, or the cottoneaster Celia or the holly Honey Bee. A bamboo I tried last year was a dismal failure though that's probably more to do with me than it!
I've done a Google and the Paul's Scarlett looks really pretty and is a good possibility frogesque. The crab apple though seems to grow fairly upright at least early on rather than spreading which I would prefer.
Thanks again everyone , much appreciated.

 

Another thought- if you like the look of acers, why not try an ornamental elder? Black Lace is very pretty, or there are some yellow leaved ones. They grow quite fast.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/11352.shtml