I need some ideas for a shade tree for my south facing, clay soil yard. I live in south delta so wind and salt are also a consideration. I am looking for a deciduous tree, something that will provide shade but stay around 20 - 30 feet and not spread too wide as my yard is only about 20 feet from the house to fence. I was looking at a Red Obelisk Beech today, are there any downsides to Beech trees?
They do have their limits. Look for others nearby, if there are big ones on what appear to be the same site conditions then that can be taken as an indication of suitability. The cultivar you have selected will not remain below 20'-30' (unless dwarfed by the site conditions) but will probably take at least as many years to grow that tall. Otherwise, handsome comparatively small Sorbus aria has been used on streets in Vancouver and is suitable for maritime exposure.
Beech doesn't cope at all well with salt spray. Common Whitebeam Sorbus aria is OK, but Swedish Whitebeam S. intermedia and Vosges Whitebeam S. mougeotii are even more salt tolerant. The Vosges Whitebeam in the pic below was thriving, and within 200m of the sea.
The third will not be found at outlets here, the second is in commerce but is not as appealing as the first.
Tamarix gallica (if is in commerce in your country)in Italy is near the sea.... another is Melia azedarach
What about styrax japonica? It is about the height and spread I'd like and flowers to boot. Could it tolerate a lot of sun and wind?
