Tree Suggestions

[rbnelson1257]

I live in central Contra Costa county in California. I believe that I am in either zone 8 or 9. I am looking for a tree to plant in the front of my house on my front lawn. This site has a southern exposure and gets a lot of sunlight. My soil is rocky clay soil that I can, of course, improve with certain additives. I am looking for a tree that will reach a mature height of no more than 30 feet and is of a spreading, rather than an upright, variety. As an FYI, though it can get quite hot during the summer, it can also dip into the upper 20's and low 30's in the Winter. What can you suggest? I appreciate any feedback you can provide. Thank you

 

[treeclimber165]

A patio elm is quite attractive, they have nice structure and easy to care for. Relatively disease-free. The lil leaves can get a lil messy once they start to mature, is about the only drawback.