Small Trees for a Small Yard or Garden - Trees Under Thirty Feet Tall

Every garden needs a tree or two. Every neighborhood needs some trees. Trees take in carbon dioxide and provide us with oxygen, cleaning and freshening the air around us. They soften the sharp edges of buildings and lend curves to straight lines man has imposed on our view. Even a small tree creates some shade. The dense shade created by trees by the overlap of leaves and boughs is much cooler during the hot months than, say, an awning.

Just because you have a small yard, does not mean that you can not have a tree. Not all trees are 70 footers. There are also many types of tall shrubs that can stand in as trees, or be pruned into a tree-like growth habit.

The following is a selection of smaller sized trees and tall shrubs to make your garden beautiful.

Apple trees usually grow up to 20 feet tall while dwarf varieties grow 6' - 8' tall. Many varieties are available, all producing beautiful, early spring blossoms. Many types of apple trees need several other nearby apple trees for pollination. Some are self pollinating. Plant while dormant in full sun and in slightly acidic soil. Most types of apple will fruit in 3 - 5 years. Ask at your local nursury to find the type of apple tree best suited to your area.

Tree Form Flowering Almond is a variety of flowering almond that grows 12' - 15' tall and wide with a rounded crown. Pink or white flowers bloom in early spring before the leaves emerge. Plant in full sun or partial shade in moist, rich, acidic soil. If you want to prune for shaping, do so right after flowering. Some pruning will increase next season's flowers. (Zone 4 - 8)

Chaste Tree grows to 10' or 12' tall and produces lavender-purple flowers in early or mid-spring. The flowers give off a spicy aroma and the leaves smell faintly of sage. Shaping by pruning may be necessary. Grows best in well drained soil. Flowers emerge from new shoots so prune lightly at the end of winter. (Zone 7 - 9)

Flowering Cherry Tree Some flowering cherry trees can grow to be quite tall so check your local gardening center for a smaller variety. Snow fountain grows up to 12' tall, while Sargent cherry grows 20' - 30' tall. Plant in full sun, in moist, well-drained soil. Weeping forms are available. (Zone 2 - 8, depending on the variety)

Cherry, Laurel has evergreen, deep green leaves and fragrant, white flowers. It grows 18' - 20' tall and wide. Flowers bloom mid spring and the tree produces dark berries. Plant in full sun in cool areas; partial shade in warmer areas in moist, well drained soil. (Zone 7 - 8)

Crabapple produces beautiful flowers in white and shades of pink and red, blooming mid spring. These slow growing trees rarely reach over 20' tall, while dwarf varieties grow between 8' and 15' tall. Crabapples are self pollinating so you are fine if you only plant one. Plant in full sun in well drained soil.  Crabapples produce hard little fruits that some people find attractive but others may feel are a nuisance.

Crape Myrtle is a tall, beautiful shrub that can stand in as a small tree, growing 15' - 20' tall. It blooms in mid to late summer with long lasting white, pink, red, or lavender blooms. Foliage turns yellow, orange, or red in fall. Attractive, exfoliating, patchy bark creates interest in winter. Prune away low growing branches to create the look of a tree. (Zone 7 - 9)

Dogwood, Kousa is a small variety of dogwood that reaches 20' to 30' tall. Flowers range from creamy white to pink. Red fruits appear in fall. Kousa is a cold tolerant variety. (Zone 5 - 8)

Red Osler Dogwood is a shrubby form that grows 7' - 9' tall. Red stems provide winter interest when young, but older branches fade to gray.

Franklin Tree named after Benjamin Franklin should not be grown in its native home in the southeastern United States due to a root disease that makes the tree short lived in that area.  Franklin trees grow from 10' - 25' tall and 6' - 15' wide, producing large, fragrant white flowers.  Prefers full sun and moist, well drained, acidic soil (zone 5 - 8)

Fringe Tree grows from 12' - 20' tall with a broad, rounded form and produced fragrant, white, lacy flowers in spring. Fruit on female trees attract birds. Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well drained soil. If you must prune to shape, do so right after flowering, as blooms form on older growth. Tolerant of wind and pollution. (Zone 4 - 9)

Winter King Green Hawthorn is an attractive deciduous tree with grayish green bark that may exfoliate on mature specimens. Winter King grows 15' - 30' feet tall with a similar spread. Aromatic white flowers appear in spring and red berries add interest in winter (some people do not like the smell). Drought tolerant and disease resistant. Verticillium resistant. The tree is thornless despite its name. Zone 4 - 7.

(I created this article while I was searching for a small sized tree for my front yard. to replace a Japanese maple that had succumbed to verticillium wilt. The Green hawthorn was my choice.)

Honeylocust, Imperial grows up to 30' tall and wide -a thornless variety with delicate foliage that creates light shade good for under-planting. Leaves turn yellow in fall. Produces interesting 8" - 12" twisty seed pod that drop in fall and require some clean up. Water frequently while young. mature trees tolerate poor, compacted soil, drought, and flooding. Susceptible to leaf spot and trunk cankers and insects. Compost in spring to maintain health and ward off potential problems. (Zone 4 - 9)

Hornbeam, American, or ironwood grows 15' - 20' tall and has beautiful fall foliage that turns from yellow to red. Deep green leaves. Prune in late winter. Plant in full sun to partial shade in acidic, moist, well drained soil. (Zone 3 - 9)

Hydrangea, panicle. While hydrangeas are beautifully flowering shrubs, panicle hydrangeas can stand in as small trees, growing up to 20' tall and wide. Tiny flower grow in large cluster start out white in July, then turn a dusty rose as summer progresses. This hardy shrub should be planted in sun to partial shade in rich, moist, well drained soil. (Zone 3 - 8)

Juniper, Hollywood grows from 10' - 15' tall in full sun or partial shade in a unique, twisting form. A drought tolerant, low maintenance, hardy shrub that can stand in as a tree. Hollywood juniper takes well to pruning for shape and can be planted closer to walls than other trees and large shrubs for an interesting affect.(Zone 5 - 9)

Juniper, Skyrocket grows 10' to 15' tall in a narrow column with dusty blue-green foliage. Drought resistant and maintenance free. (Zone 4 - 7)

Of course, all junipers are evergreen with tiny, scale like foliage. They produce small, hard, blue to blue green berries with a fresh scent.

Lilac is a large shrub that can stand in as a tree, growing 8' - 15' tall with showy, highly aromatic spring blooms. Flowers are white, shades of pink, purples, lavender, and lilac. The leaves are susceptible to powdery mildew in  hot, humid summers. Plant in full sun, in well drained soil. Prune to remove unwanted or dead twigs and branches. (Zone 3 - 7)

Star Magnolia is a smaller variety of magnolia that produces beautiful, white, star shaped flowers in early spring. The flowers are fragrant and long lasting. Grows up to 20' tall with similar spread. Cold and heat tolerant. Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well drained soil. (Zone 4 - 8)

Saucer Magnolia grows 20' - 30' tall and 20' wide, producing large pinkish purple flowers in early spring. Plant this cold hardy magnolia in a sheltered area in full sun and moist, well drained soil. (Zone 5 - 9)

Sweet Bay Magnolia grows 10' - 20' tall with a shrubby growth habit, producing fragrant, creamy white flowers in late spring. An evergreen in warmer regions but deciduous in colder areas. (Zone 5 - 9)

Japanese Maple is a slow growing, small tree with an interesting growth habit that makes it attractive in winter. Many varieties are available. Beautiful, light, pointed, delicate leaves make the Japanese Maple a real focal point in a garden.  Foliage ranges from green to deep red. Some leaves are light green, edged in red. Plant in partial shade. Protect Japanese maples from harsh, afternoon summer sun. Plant in moist, acidic, well drained soil. (Zone 5 - 8)

Paw Paw is a 15' - 30' US native fruit bearing tree with a tropic appearance. Purple mid spring blooms give way to green fruits that ripen to black with a pear/banana taste. Leaves turn gold in fall. Plant at least 2 tree for pollination. Prune off low growing branches to give this shrubby tree a more tree like appearance. Plant in full sun to partial shade in loose soil. (Zone 5 - 8)

Peach trees grow 15' - 25' with dark green leaves that provide a beautiful contrast with the attractive mid spring flowers and brilliant mid to late summer fruit. Plant in full sun, in moist, well drained soil . Mulch to protect the shallow roots. Prune in late winter. Susceptible to late frost damage and severe winter cold. Plant two or more trees for pollination. (Zone 5 - 9)

Common Pear grows 20' - 30' tall and 20' wide, producing early spring flowers before the glossy green foliage appears. Dwarf varieties grow 10' - 15' tall. Pear trees are not drought tolerant so need plenty of water in summer. Plant another pear tree for pollination if you want the tree to produce fruit.

Japanese Black Pine grows 15' - 25' tall and is tolerant of heat, drought, coastal salt spray, and takes to heavy pruning for shape. Plant in full sun, in moist, well drained soil. (Zone 5 - 8)

Cherry Plum grows to 20' tall, and has distinctive reddish-purple leaves. it blooms with white or pink flowers in early spring. Plant in full sun, in moist, well drained soil.

Eastern Redbud grows 20' - 30' tall and wide with rosy, pinkish purple blooms in midspring. Heart shaped green leaves. Attractive form provides winter interest. Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well drained soil. Eastern redbud is native and tolerant of a variety of soil conditions. (Zone 4 - 9)

Flowering Quince grows 6' - 10' tall and wide, producing bright scarlet, pink, or white blossoms in spring. Some varieties blooms again in fall. Tangled branches and sharp spines may detract from use in small spaces. Fall ripened fruit can be used to make jelly or jam. Prune after flowering to maintain shape. (Zone 4 - 8)

Serviceberry grows 15' - 25' tall and 15' - 20' wide. A large shrub that can be pruned to tree from in early spring. Fragrant white flowers appear early to late spring. Edible berries emerge in late spring and last unit late summer, attracting birds. Tolerant of a variety of soils and drought. (Zone 4 - 9)

Silk tree or Mimosa grows 20' - 30' tall and wide. Exotic, fern-like foliage with mid to late summer, feathery pink flowers that attract hummingbirds. Adaptable to harsh environments. (Zone 6 - 9)

Carolina Silverbell grows to 30' tall and almost as wide, producing clusters of tiny, white, bell shaped flowers in mid spring. Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well drained soil. Compost and mulch regularly. Will not tolerate intense heat or alkaline soil.

Russian Olive grows to be 15' tall and wide with a rounded form and beautiful silvery green foliage. Tiny flowers emerge in spring. Prefers dry climates. Salt and drought tolerant. Plant in full sun, in loam or sandy soil. Dislikes extreme heat and humidity. (Zone 2 - 7)

Smoketree grows 10' - 15' tall and wide, producing fine, light purple, feathery flowers in June. Blue green to purplish foliage. this shrubby tree can be pruned to tree form. Plant in full sun, in moist, well drained soil. Prune older branches in early spring to encourage growth. (Zone 4 - 8)

Sourwood grows 25' - 30' tall with deep green, fragrant leaves. Summer flowering with long lasting 10 inch blooms. The leaves turn a range of colors in fall. Mulch to retain moisture and protect the shallow roots. (Zone 5 - 9)

Conica Spruce is a dwarf white spruce that grows to 10' - 12' tall with light green needles. Dwarf Arneson's Blue spruce features blue-green needles. Both are varieties of Alberta spruce, a hardy evergreen with classic pyramid form. Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well drained, slightly acidic soil. (Zone 2 - 7)

Korean Stewartia is a smaller version of Japanese Stewartia that grows 20' - 30' tall and produces lonely white blooms in July. Attractive meduim to dark green foliage turns red in fall. Patchy, exfoliating reddish brown, green, gray, orange bark makes a dramatic statement in winter months. Plant in sun with some afternoon shade. Plant in moist well drained, acidy soil. Mulch and water during hot, dry spells. (Zone 5 - 7)

Sweet Olive grows up to 20' tall and is actually a shrub that produces aromatic flowers. Takes well to pruning. Plant in full sun to partial shade in any soil. Pinch back the dark green leaves to encourage new growth. (Zone 8 - 10)

Tea Tree grows up to 10' tall and wide. Actually a warm climate shrub, the Tea tree has aromatic, evergreen leaves and produced tiny white pink, or red flowers from late winter into summer. Enjoys western coastal areas and is drought tolerant when mature. Plant in full sun. Prune lightly after flowering.