What kind of tree?

[AllTerrainMammy]

I'm usually a bit of an experimental gardener and plant what I like where I like and hope for the best!

However, we recently miscarried our gorgeous baby boy at 20+4 and would love to plant a tree in the garden in his memory. We live in a very remote area on the top of a hill about as far north as you can get so the garden is very exposed to the elements. The garden is east facing and gets the sun until about 3pm in the middle of summer.

Ideally we would like to plant something that will flower either in February (maybe ambitious for flowers at this time of year?) which is when he was born or June which is when he was due to be born.

Don't know the first thing about trees although I'd rather stay away from the usual apple/cherry trees etc.

Any advice would be grateful received.

How about an Amelanchier - also called a Juneberry?

Sorry to hear of your loss. The Juneberry happens to be an amazing tree though. And the berries are edible.

I recommend Amelianchier x grandiflora varieties.

Very sorry to read about your baby boy.
Its a lovely idea to plant a tree.

There aren't many trees which blossom so early as Feb but there is a Prunus which flowers then, it can flower through the winter but that would be unlikely if its very cold where you are. It has lovely small, delicate flowers in white or soft pink. It doesn't flower to well in an exposed spot though, could you add some shelter (other planting) around it?
www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/3345615/Winter-beauty-Prunus-x-subhirtella-Autumnalis.html

Can I ask how far North you are as that my rule out some of the choices if you wanted summer blossom.

Prunus mume is another option for February flowers.
www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/ornamental-trees-c18/flowering-cherry-trees-prunus-trees-c34/prunus-mume-beni-chidori-tree-p504

Have a look at the general link here for other ideas too.
www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/profuse-flowering-t138#:page1

And I agree Amelanchiers are lovely trees but they flower in April.

Thank you for the suggestions, will have a good look when I get a second. Should have said North of England - We are about 20 miles south of the Scottish border in the North Penines at quite a high altitude also.

Oh, also should have said that we'd ideally like something of a decent size, maybe 3 or 4 metres high, although the spread doesn't matter as there's nothing else around where it will be planted.

Thanks for your help.

And I agree Amelanchiers are lovely trees but they flower in April.

But they fruit in June. Hence being called Juneberry.

The first tree I linked to will reach that height in time - or you could buy a large specimen.

But it sounds as if you need something a bit tougher given the conditions. The Amelanchier would be a good choice as they are tough trees, though the berries are very inconspicuous so you wont have anything special to look at in June (or February either when the tree is still dormant).

Sorbus/Rowan is another option as they are also tough and flower in May/June. They also have great berries which often last for a long time and lovely autumn colour, this one is esp lovely
www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/ornamental-trees-c18/rowan-mountain-ash-trees-sorbus-trees-c43/sorbus-hupehensis-tree-p308

Perhaps also contact some tree nurseries and ask for advice.
Barchams is very good.