Acer griseum

The chief attraction of this deciduous maple is its unusual bark, which is orange to mahogany-red and peels laterally in papery rolls. The dark green leaves turn bright crimson and scarlet in the fall, and the ornamental bark gives this spectacular tree a valued winter role in small yards. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 30 ft (10 m)

Acer japonicum ‘Vitifolium’

A pretty, deciduous tree with broad, fan-shaped leaves that turn scarlet, gold, and purple in the fall. The leaves are similar to those of a grapevine, hence the cultivar name. In mid-spring it bears clusters of small, delicate, reddish-purple flowers. Can be grown as a bushy tree or large shrub. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 30 ft (10 m)

Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’

Japanese maples make lovely ornamental trees. ‘Bloodgood’ forms a deciduous, bushy-headed shrub or small tree and is grown for its deeply cut, dark reddish-purple leaves, which turn bright red in the fall. Small purple flowers are borne in mid-spring, followed by attractive red-winged fruits. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 15 ft (5 m)

Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’

A stunning Japanese maple for fall color. The mid-green leaves are larger than average and turn a brilliant scarlet before falling. Dainty red-winged fruits appear in late summer. It can be grown in a large container but must not be allowed to dry out, and needs shelter from cold winds. Height 20 ft (6 m) – Width 20 ft (6 m)

Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’

For color interest year-round, this delicate Japanese maple is a perfect choice. The divided leaves are orange-yellow in spring, maturing to green, then turning yellow in the fall before they drop. In winter, the new shoots, borne on ascending branches, turn coral-pink, deepening in color as winter advances. Height 20 ft (6 m) – Width 15 ft (5 m)

Amelanchier lamarckii

With abundant white flowers in spring and brilliant red leaf color in the fall, this deciduous hardy shrub or small tree provides plenty of seasonal interest. The young oval leaves unfold bronze before the star-shaped flowers emerge, and the small red fruits that follow are attractive to birds. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 40 ft (12 m)

Arbutus unedo

This handsome evergreen with flaky, red-brown bark and attractive, glossy green leaves forms a large shrub or small tree in sheltered yards. Lily-of-the-valley-like blooms appear in early winter and the rounded fruits, ripening to red in the fall, give rise to the common name, strawberry tree. Height 25 ft (8 m) – Width 25 ft (8 m)

Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’

A pretty, multi-stemmed tree or shrub with vivid, reddish-purple, heart-shaped leaves that are velvety to the touch. Magenta buds open to pale pink, pea-like flowers in mid-spring before the characteristic leaves appear. Impressive as a single specimen but also useful for the back of the border. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 30 ft (10 m)

Cercis siliquastrum

The Judas tree is an eye-catching, spreading, bushy tree, with bright purple-rose spring flowers and long, purple-tinted pods that appear in late summer. Its heart-shaped leaves are bronze when young, turning yellow in the fall. Although hardy, it originates from the Mediterranean, so avoid very cold sites. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 30 ft (10 m)

Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’

This elegant deciduous tree with horizontally-tiered branches creates a distinctive architectural profile. Flat heads of star-shaped white flowers appear in summer, followed by blue-black fruit. ‘Variegata’ has bright green leaves with creamy white margins, and makes a beautiful focal point. Height 25 ft (8 m) – Width 25 ft (8 m)

Cornus kousa var. chinensis ‘China Girl’

A broadly conical deciduous tree, this dogwood has tiny green flower heads in summer surrounded by decorative petal-like white bracts. Fleshy red fruits develop later, followed by rich, purple-red leaves in the fall. ‘China Girl’, free-flowering even when young, has large creamy-white bracts that age to pink. Height 22 ft (7 m) – Width 5m (15ft)

Crataegus orientalis

Hawthorns are widely used for hedges and as ornamentals. Many are thorny but C. orientalis is almost thornless. It is an attractive, compact, deciduous tree with deeply cut, dark green leaves. White flowers appear in profusion in late spring, followed by yellow-tinged red fruit. Height 20 ft (6 m) – Width 20 ft (6 m)

Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’

An excellent small deciduous tree, with rich brown bark and long, dramatic thorns. It is grown mainly for its polished, deep green leaves that turn brilliant orange and red in the fall. Dense heads of white flowers are produced in early summer followed by clusters of long-lasting, bright red berries. Height 25 ft (8 m) – Width 30 ft (10 m)

Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’

The Monterey cypress is a coastal tree in the wild and will tolerate dry growing conditions, which makes it useful as a hedge or windbreak in exposed sites. ‘Goldcrest’ is a handsome, narrowly conical tree with lemon-scented golden foliage. It looks stunning grown against a dark background. Height 16 ft (5 m) – Width 8 ft (2.5 m)

Dicksonia antarctica

A spectacular and hardy tree fern, D. antarctica brings drama into the garden. In spring its arching pale green fronds unfurl from the top of a mass of fibrous roots that form the trunk. It is evergreen in mild climates, but in cold winters protects the crown by covering it with straw. Height 20 ft (6 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Ficus carica ‘Brown Turkey’

A popular variety of fig that thrives in cool climates, ‘Brown Turkey’ has large lobed leaves and pear-shaped edible fruits, green at first, maturing to purple-brown. Grow as a fan against a sunny wall or as a freestanding tree; in cold areas keep in a pot and move under cover in winter. Height 10 ft (3 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Laburnum x watereri ‘Vossii’

This elegant, spreading, deciduous tree has glossy green leaves, cut into oval leaflets, and bears magnificent long golden chains of pea-like flowers in late spring. It makes an impressive specimen tree in a small yard, but can also be trained over a pergola. The leaves and seeds are poisonous. Height 25 ft (8 m) – Width 25 ft (8 m)

Larix kaempferi ‘Pendula’

Unusually among the conifers, larches are deciduous. A small grafted weeping cultivar, ‘Pendula’ has fine green linear leaves that turn bright yellow in the fall. It needs to be trained; the height of the stake will determine how tall the plant is. Its compact, waterfall-like habit makes it ideal for a small yard. Height to 15 ft (5 m) – Width to 10 ft (3 m)

Laurus nobilis

Bay laurel is a conical evergreen tree grown for its aromatic, leathery, dark-green leaves, which are used as flavoring in cooking. Clusters of small, greenish-yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by black berries in the fall. It can be grown in a pot, and looks attractive when rimmed into formal shapes. Height to 30 ft (10 m) – Width to 25 ft (8 m)

Malus ‘Evereste’

This crab apple is an excellent choice for a small yard as it forms a neat, conical shape. A profusion of white, shallow, cup-shaped flowers open from pink buds in late spring, followed by small, red-flushed, orange-yellow fruit. The green leaves turn yellow and orange in fall before dropping. Height 22 ft (7 m) – Width 20 ft (6 m)

Malus ‘Royalty’

This pretty crab apple is smothered in deep pink to bright purple flowers, which open from dark red buds in spring. The glossy leaves are dark red-purple and maintain their color well through the season, turning red in the fall. Inedible small purple fruits follow the flowers. A fine specimen tree. Height 25 ft (8 m) – Width 25 ft (8 m)

Olea europaea

An elegant, slow-growing evergreen, the olive tree has gray-green leaves and tiny, fragrant, creamy-white flowers in summer. The green olives only ripen to black in hot, dry conditions. It makes a stunning feature in a sunny, sheltered spot, or grow in a large pot and move under cover in winter. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 30 ft (10 m)

Prunus ‘Mount Fuji’

Ornamental cherries make very attractive specimen trees for small yards. This beautiful deciduous tree has pale green young leaves, darkening to deep green, then turning orange and red in the fall before they drop. Clusters of fragrant, white, cup-shaped flowers are borne in mid-spring. Height 20 ft (6 m) – Width 25 ft (8 m)

Prunus serrula

A dramatic choice for winter interest, this deciduous tree is prized for its glossy mahogany bark with pale horizontal lines. Small white flowers are produced at the same time as the new leaves in late spring, followed by small inedible cherries on long stalks. The leaves turn yellow in the fall. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 30 ft (10 m)

Prunus ‘Spire’

Attractive over a long season, the leaves of this upright, deciduous cherry are bronze when young, green in summer, then orange and red in the fall. In spring, bowl-shaped, soft pink flowers emerge in clusters against the new leaves. Makes a beautiful feature in a small yard. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 20 ft (6 m)

Prunus x subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’

A popular tree for its early-flowering nature, this delicate spreading cherry is perfect for a small yard. Clusters of tiny, double, pale pink flowers appear in winter during mild spells. The green leaves are narrow and bronze when young, turning golden-yellow in the fall. Height 25 ft (8 m) – Width 25 ft (8 m)

Pyrus salicifolia ‘Pendula’

This delightful ornamental pear tree has an elegant weeping habit and silvery-gray, willow-like leaves. An abundant show of creamy-white flowers in spring is followed by small, hard, inedible pears in late summer. Grow as specimen tree on a lawn, where its graceful habit can be seen to advantage. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)

Rhus typhina

Known as the stag’s horn sumach because of its red velvety shoots, this distinctive deciduous tree is particularly fine in the fall when its deeply divided leaves turn shades of orange and red. The fruits are formed in dense, hairy, crimson-red clusters on female plants. Plant singly or in a shrub border. Height 15 ft (5 m) – Width 20 ft (6 m)

Sorbus aria ‘Lutescens’

A pretty deciduous tree, this eye-catching whitebeam has striking silvery-gray young foliage that gradually turns gray-green. White flowers in late spring are followed by orange berries in the fall. A freestanding tree of great beauty, it can also be used for mass planting or screening. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 25 ft (8 m)

Sorbus commixta ‘Embley’

Sorbus are excellent ornamental trees for city gardens as they tolerate atmospheric pollution. S. commixta bears large white flower heads in spring and has elegant foliage, which turns shades of yellow, red, and purple in the fall. ‘Embley’ has bright red leaves in late fall, and plenty of crimson fruit. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 22 ft (7 m)

Stewartia sinensis

A good choice for fall foliage color, this small deciduous tree is also prized for its unusual peeling red-brown bark and showy, white fragrant flowers that appear in midsummer. The fall brings an impressive display of red, orange, and yellow leaves. It prefers acid soil. Height 20 ft (6 m) – Width 10 ft (3 m)

Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’

Irish yew has a narrow, upright habit, eventually forming a distinguished, columnar shape. This makes it useful as a focal point or accent plant in a border. Small red berries appear in summer. ‘Fastigiata Aurea’ is similar but has variegated yellow-green leaves. All parts are poisonous. Height 30 ft (10 m) – Width 6 ft (2 m)

Tsuga canadensis ‘Aurea’

A graceful species of conifer, there are many varieties of Eastern hemlock available. ‘Aurea’ is an elegant, compact, and fairly slow-growing tree with golden-yellow juvenile foliage, which darkens to green with age. It is useful for evergreen interest in partially shaded areas. Height 25 ft (8 m) – Width 12 ft (4 m)