Q. Dear Peter: I am searching for the “perfect tree” for my backyard. We have a fairly standard city size lot and I am looking for something that is no more than 20-25′, disease resistant and doesn’t require much pruning i.e. no suckering/water sprouts (I have MS and can no longer do the ladder work). It would be wonderful if it had a spring show of flowers and a nice fall/winter foilage color, berries and/or attractive bark. There is plenty of sun available and watering is no problem. This would basically be a specimen tree so the more spectacular the better. Thank you – Maria Johnson – Tacoma, WA
A. That’s a tall order so I don’t know if I can give you the perfect tree but I can try and satisfy some of your requirements. I am sure there may be others but my offering to you is the Persian Parrotia (Parrotia persica). It is a moderate grower reaching anywhere from 15 to 35 feet depending on the growing conditions. It is upright when it is young and rounding to an oval shape as it matures. The Parrotia is a very nice pest resistant deciduous tree, which has something to offer in each season. It has half inch maroon flowers that form in clusters in the late winter/early spring before the leaves emerge. The leaves emerge purple tinged and turn to a rich green as the season progresses. The interesting gray bark peels as it ages to reveal various colors from silver and white to cinnamon red. The tree is probably best known for its wonderful fall color even in our Northwest region. The leaves slowly evolve from yellows and progress through orange toward crimson as the fall unfolds. Although there are more brilliant fruits out there it does produce a tan colored fruit. Its normal habit is to be a multiple stemmed tree but early pruning (sans ladder) can train it into a single stem tree if that is your preference.