We previously had a large magnolia tree in the center of our circular driveway. Over time, the roots grew so much that they lifted and cracked the driveway. We have now removed the tree and had the driveway repaired; however we now have a bare 30-foot-across bare spot in the middle of the driveway. We live in Virginia Beach-- what kind of tree would be decorative for the center of this area, but will not impact the driveway?

A photo would help so we can see the lines and colors of structures in the area..
Also exposure?

Would think a nice Japanese maple would work well in VA beach

Won't it burn if it sunny?

Right now, our butterfly looks awful

Yes, they do do better with partial sunlight.

That is why I thought to ask about exposure. Ours did fine when it was shaded by a huge birch..then there was an ice storm and the birch went bye bye and now we are having to replace so much that Demond's on that shade.....but that butterfly is $$ and well planted and suited for the site ( except for the exposure now 😖 ). . I keep thinking it will get used to it...but so far ( 3 years) no improvement

What I thought might work is a golden rain tree....so very beautiful..but the complaint with that tree is the seeds sprouting ..on a circular drive -- gravel or cement - may not be an issue at all. The docs office has those in the landscaping and no problem... In bloom and again when the seeds are in pods and then again in autumn ..just beautiful

25 feet..or so.. Poor soil..beautiful in bloom ( I would get the panicle type because the others make a lot of seeds and I don't have any area but one where seedling flourish -- no cement!! )
It is fast growing too and so a real mature tree $$$$ would not be necessary

sonnydog said:We previously had a large magnolia tree in the center of our circular driveway. Over time, the roots grew so much that they lifted and cracked the driveway. We have now removed the tree and had the driveway repaired;

NO!
Please say it ain't so!

however we now have a bare 30-foot-across bare spot in the middle of the driveway. We live in Virginia Beach-- what kind of tree would be decorative for the center of this area, but will not impact the driveway?

Prolly shouldn't bother with a tree, you'd just chop it down...
How come you didn't just take up the asphalt (or whatever) and replace it with sand or gravel or shells or something.... And save the beautiful magnolia?

At this point in time.... Why not consider a nice grove of wax myrtle?

Or
Maybe a grouping of rose of Sharon...
Or
A nice patch of cannas or flowering ginger...
Or a collection of brugmansias.

Really doubt that there's ever going to be a real tree that won't be taken down, as long as you value the drive more than the shade.

I took down a towering Magnolia..
It was too close to the house-- that was my fault and so I let it remain.

It was beautiful..chocolate brown suede undersides..glossy dark green tops.
Huge creamy lemon scented flowers as big as a dessert plate. I loved it.

But those flowers attracted wasps...and those wasps are deadly to my spouse. And that tree was right on the walkway into the house ...it was within three feet... Those wasps were aggressive.

So sometimes there is a reason.

That magnolia with its roots spreading on the the drive would not have faired well over time with cars and trucks and such driving over the roots. Our glorious magnolia that are pampered in the Sarah Duke gardens are suffering because people walk under the limbs and step over the ground where the roots spread. Lots of people but not nearly as heavy as a car or truck.

So sometimes there is a reason to do things that sometimes make no sense.

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