Tree for small garden

[holler]

We have just moved and the new garden is a blank canvas. Am a novice gardener but want a tree at the end of the garden, more for interest than privacy. It will be in a shady spot, the garden is small, and I like magnolias. Is this a sensible choice?! Something safe too, as toddlers will be playing there and probably licking the bark!

Hi holler, Magnolia stellata would be fine in a shady spot and is safe for children. These trees will grow to around 5 - 6 feet tall and need very little maintenance,and they adapt well to most soil conditions.

I bought mine from hatten farm nurseries in suffolk if that helps.

About how much would you spend on a good magnolia tree? I would like to plant one too. And how far away from a fence do trees need to be?

The trees will start from £15 - £20 for a 2/3 year old plant. Distance from fences will vary for each variety but normally 2 feet minimum

Lovely! Thankyou very much

Thanks - just ordered one from crocus (14.99 as on offer). I also got a random 20% discount from gardener's world .
I take it it can be planted now?!

dunno if you want anything else, but I have a beautiful \link{http://cdn.designrulz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/acer_palmatum_dissectum_0.5_fusto_1.jpg\acer palmatum dissectum} growing in a tight corner in a small back yard

it's about 8' tall now (has been in for 20-odd years) & they are the loveliest, most elegant trees - pale green new leaves with tiny red flower buds in spring, then gradually deeper green as the summer passes, ending up various shades of orange & red (brilliant shades some years) in autumn

the corner it's in is SW facing, but it only really gets sun from about 11am-4pm in the summer due to houses, high walls & other trees in the vicinity; much less in spring & autumn & virtually none in winter

Sounds good holler I am sure you will be happy with your choice.

That sounds nice. I might look into one of those too

I have a Forest Pansy (Cercis canadensis), so very pretty, it's in a circular border and would suit a small garden

Amelanchier
doesn't get huge, almost year round interest and incredibly pretty. One of my fav trees for a small garden, only down side is deciduous