Tree for mid sized garden

Mousey3

I’m living in a new build and relative blank canvas for a garden. I really love the white multi stemmed birch, but don’t want it higher than 4-5 m and can I place it close to my house (about 1-2m away)? Pls help as I’m overwhelmed with how to design my garden. Thanks 😊 

Fairygirl

It wouldn't be advisable to plant a birch that close to a property. Apart from anything else, insurance companies won't be keen 
What sort of size is the garden?

Liriodendron

Birches grow to 9-10 metres and don't look good when pruned, so I think you'd be better choosing something different.  There are lots of attractive trees which only grow to 4-5 metres - one of the Sorbus, rowans, might fit the bill - or something like an Amelanchier, which you can obtain multi-stemmed and which has attractive spring and autumn foliage, lovely flowers, and edible fruit (if the blackbirds don't get there first!).

As @Fairygirl says, insurance companies are quite "iffy" about trees close to houses.  Sometimes this is justified, if you're on clay soil for instance, sometimes not... but there's no point trying to argue with an insurance company...  

If you're stuck for ideas, why not start a thread on here for advice - with photos of your garden and any wants/likes/hates.  Lots of posters on here are good at design and like a challenge.  

Mousey3

Thanks so much for your advice. The garden measures 6m on the left, 12m at the back and 12m down the right hand side. It has a patio paving across - photos to follow. We have a balcony and I love the idea of looking at the canopy of a dappled tree when we’re up there - the top of the balcony is about 4m. Good idea for posting a design thread! 

Mousey3

The yellow spot is where I was thinking of planting it 

Dinnerplatedahlias🌸

Mail order trees are my favourite place to buy from.
I love crab apple trees...Praerie Fire is my favourite.
I also bought a Rowan tree from them that doesn’t grow too tall called Vilimoris Rowan.
Amelanchier trees seem very popular. The multi stem ones can be beautiful. 

Definitely wouldn’t plant a birch so close to the house they are far too big. 

I find this time of year tree stock can be a bit patchy online. Autumn I find best time to actually buy a tree.

Astraeus

I second Mail Order Trees. Their service is second-to-none and their trees and shrubs are superb. I actually think an amelanchier would be a good shout for your spot too.

Mousey3

Thanks for your advice Much appreciated!

the tidy gardener

Can't go wrong with an acer and you can get smaller trees that are lovely.i have 2. Good luck!!

Loxley

I was going to say maybe Acer would work, you can plant a little bit further away and then look down on the broad spreading crown, which won't get very tall.

Papi Jo

@Liriodendron wrote "Birches grow to 9-10 metres and don't look good when pruned". Actually they look terrible. In such a small garden, birch is out of the question. Crab apple is a good choice. I'm partial to and recommend Malus 'Evereste', but there are other choices.