What kind of tree should I choose?

Question

I need some privacy from my neighbor. I installed a 6' privacy fence, but their raised deck peers right over it. I need a flowering tree that grows in zone 5, gets to be about 10'-12', and is a stump up as high as possible (ideally 5' or so). Best case scenerio is a tree that is a thin stump that puffs out at the top, maybe 4-6', with a total height of 10'-12' so as not to block the sunlight from my pool. I don't need to total privacy, just some filtering.

If the stump part is too hard, I could do something like a very tall lilac bush. Something that has a few small stumps , but doesn't have so many low branches that it evades into my yard. Any ideas? (I know, I sure am asking for a lot)

Answer 1

bradford pear

http://www.flickr.com/photos/showe417/11...

Answer 2

you might not want to put trees to close to your pool. the roots could grow towards pool and cause problems, plus all the leaves that will fall in you pool.

Answer 3

Try a Golden Chain Tree.  They reach a height of about 15 feet (maybe a tad more in good conditions) and have great yellow flowers that can hang in chains of up to a foot long. See the pic below.

Answer 4

Rose of Sharons,crape myrtles and Poplar trees would do well.Poplar and Rose of Sharons grow fast.

Answer 5

What about a Crape Myrtle or a Mock Orange. They both bloom and are not too large.  They also are tree like but don't get too tall and don't over power the area.  They also don't have too many pest problems and are easy to prune.