The Fernleaf Fullmoon maple (Acer japonicum "Aconitifolium") is an excellent choice for a medium-sized yard. The tree offers lime-colored foliage in spring with clusters of tiny purple flowers. Seedpods in summer give added interest, and in fall the leaves turn a rich crimson and orange color, with an added sprinkling of purple and yellow. The Fernleaf Fullmoon maple, native to Japan, is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 8 and grows to a height of around 10 feet. You should take care that this tree does not become waterlogged, and give it shelter from wind and bad winter conditions.
Giant dogwood (Cornus controversa "Variegata") is a slow-growing tree that makes an excellent specimen in any yard. Often referred to as the wedding cake tree, this tree is primarily grown for its variegated foliage, consisting of narrow pointed leaves with creamy edges. The tree bears clusters of small white flowers in early summer and blue-black fruits in fall. This tree prefers acid soils and benefits from shelter from spring frosts. Giant dogwood is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8 and will grow up to 25 feet tall.
The Kilmarnock willow (Salix caprea "Pendula"), also known as weeping pussy willow, is an elegant, weeping specimen tree for yards and provides a stunning outline in winter with its yellowish twigs and silver catkins. The tree bears yellowish-white pussy willow blossoms in spring, followed by bright-green leaves in summer. This attractive tree grows no more than 8 feet tall and is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9.
Choosing a large tree for your yard may be a good option for your local environment and provide much-needed shade during the heat of summer. Ginkgo biloba "Autumn Gold" is a slow-growing tree that reaches heights up to 50 feet. The tree is renowned for its spectacular fall leaf color and fan-shaped leaves and is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8.