Tree Recommendations for side yard area? (landscaping, grow, palm, trees)

[motifone]

Hi All

We are working on the landscaping on the back of our town home. We are allowed to plant in the space between our townhome and the neighbor's unit. Our unit is on left side with A/C attached. It creates sort of an open alley (see pic) and gets an equal amount of sun and shade. We're going to create a little sitting area out there, with a path and some benches.

Anyhow, we are looking for some recommendations on trees. Ideally, one or two . Something that will have some height to them to soften up the space, but nothing too big, out of control, or branchy -- don't want to block neighbor's windows. The landscaper first suggested a cypress tree, but we don't really want any trees that remind us of pine trees. Something more airy and even tropical would be ok, but all suggestions welcome. Would a small palm work here? No bamboo, as it is invasive.

They had a couple trees in the model home version, but not sure what type they are. If you know, feel free to tell. (pic as well)

Thanks for any ideas. It will help me communicate with landscaper

[ShaneSA]

there is an evergreen that grows striaght up. I think it's called a cypress. I've seen them around, mostly as corner or edgeing plantings along a driveway. they would fit there well and not take over the space, just grow up.

[peppermint]

I think a palm might be nice, but I don't know much about them. I was thinking a crepe myrtle, but that might be too unruly (without careful pruning) in that small space. Where do you live, what zone? That might help me out.

[motifone]

the landscaper did suggest a cypress tree, but the other plants are going to be more tropical and the cypress sort of seemed like a pine tree. A Palm might be a solution. I am in orange county, ca. NO sure of the zone, but they had to use a jack hammer to dig up soil today if that's any indication

[PeterRabbit]

Rocket juniper.