It is hardy, down to about 30 degrees below zero, and has few pest problems. It likes well-drained soil, but can adapt to many different soil types. I prefer a couple that are slow growing, but need a little extra room to grow and flourish. My favorite is probably the European beech. It can grow to a height of 50 or 60 feet, but takes almost a century to reach that size.
Few trees look as stately and noble as a mature beech.
Another slow grower is the maidenhair or ginkgo tree. It grows a little faster than the beech, and can eventually reach heights of 60 to 80 feet high. The ginkgo's golden fall color is spectacular, and the unique leaf shape and stately appearance of the tree make it a great specimen throughout the year. The female trees are not only messy, but quite 'stinky' when in bloom. The smell resembles something you stepped in and wished you hadn't.