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Your tree is a ‘Japanese Lilac Tree’ and many towns have them planted on their Main Drag. They are just lovely, are on the smaller side, don’t make a mess to clean up, and are usually blooming on the 4th of July, when towns are having parades and such. It isn’t a true lilac; it is related to the Olive tree. Likes full sun, and isn’t fussy about watering.

I’ve probably sold 1,000 of them in my career. Every late June/Early July people want them for their yards. ;)

https://www.thespruce.com/japanese-lilac-tree-care-and-growing-guide-4589076

How does it handle heat? Does it require much water? I’m in Zone 8b — hot summers, a few freezing nights in winter, and a gentle monsoon season — and always on the lookout for interesting trees and shrubs that aren’t mesquites or brittle brush.

It has been 70s at night last 3 nights here in the PNW. Today is going to be a high if 90, tomorrow 98, and 80s and above for the next week.

Tomatoes are loving it, my peppers like it but I am having to water them every day (4 am when I get home from work) to keep them from wilting in the 7 hours of direct sunlight.

My greens are tolerating it because those that have not gone to seed are under cedar trees and shaded 90% of the day.

I have some very stunted pepper plants (not all, but a significant percentage, and ai think it is because they became root bound as starts in the Jiffy start mix.

I was afraid to damage the roots and break them apart a little before planting. I dug up 2 and the roots never left the seed start pod.

Live and learn.

People are losing their minds with this stretch of heat as it never really gets to 90 here and if it does 3 days is an eternity.

" Your tree is a ‘Japanese Lilac Tree’ and many towns have them planted on their Main Drag. They are just lovely, are on the smaller side, don’t make a mess to clean up, and are usually blooming on the 4th of July, when towns are having parades and such. It isn’t a true lilac; it is related to the Olive tree. Likes full sun, and isn’t fussy about watering. I’ve probably sold 1,000 of them in my career. Every late June/Early July people want them for their yards. ;) https://www.thespruce.com/japanese-lilac-tree-care-and-growing-guide-4589076 "

Thanks so much for the ID and info. There are two in the two block section of our street, and these must have been planted about 10 years when the city expanded the sidewalks, but this is the 1st time in the 8 years we have been here that i saw this one bloom, and in fact it looked like it was dying last couple years. Both trees also significantly lean to the side. But I put plant fertilizer on this tree myself and this year both are blooming.

In contrast is the tree in front of out building, which has expanded greatly over the same number of years:

2011:

2021:

Glory and thanks be to God.