They may not reach towering heights, but small trees can still pack a big punch in your landscape. The following list includes varieties that offer beautiful flowers, attractive fall foliage, and even colorful fruit. Whether you’ve got a modest-size yard or are just looking for a tree that won’t take up a ton of space, these small trees will fit in perfectly.
Even small landscaping trees shouldn’t be planted too close to your house. Trees that will reach 30 feet tall or less should be sited at least 10 feet away from your home’s foundation or power lines; those that grow larger than that should be planted at least 15 feet away.
Crabapple
Add spectacular seasonal flair to your landscape with crabapples (Malus spp.). Choose from varieties with flowers in shades of white, pink, and red, and weeping, rounded, or columnar habits. Many also offer attractive orange, gold, red, or burgundy fruit. ‘Prairifire’ is a standout variety that has dark pink flowers, reddish-purple foliage, and great disease resistance. Of the dozens of crabapple species, at least three are native to North America (M. coronaria, M. fusca,ย andย M. ioensis).
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: From 6 to 30 feet tall and wide, depending on variety
Zones: 4-8
Redbud
Valued for its outstanding display of pink or white flowers in spring, eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is an easy-to-grow small native tree with heart-shaped leaves that turn golden-yellow in fall. ‘Forest Pansy’ is a standout variety that has purple foliage, which fades to dark green in late summer. Also look for ‘Silver Cloud,’ which has white-splashed leaves.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: From 15 to 30 feet tall and 25 to 35 feet wide
Zones: 5-9
In addition to the eastern redbud, there are other redbud species: western redbud (C. occidentalis), Chinese redbud (C. chinensis), Oklahoma redbud (C. reniformis), and more. For the best garden success, plant one that’s ideal forย your hardiness zone.
Crape Myrtle
A common sight in Southern gardens, crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.) offers big clusters of frilly flowers in shades of pink, red, lavender, or white in summer and fall. Many varieties show off beautiful red, yellow, or orange foliage in autumn, as well as interesting patches of green or silver on the underside of their peeling cinnamon-color bark.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: From 6 to 25 feet tall and wide, depending on variety
Zones: 6-9
Crape myrtles are native to Asia and considered invasive in some areas.
Flowering Dogwood
One of the most beautiful North American native trees, flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) bears pink or white springtime flowers, bright red fruits in late summer, and outstanding purple-red fall foliage.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: From 15 to 30 feet tall and wide, depending on variety
Zones: 5-9
Kousa Dogwood
Count on kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) to put on a terrific spring show with its attractive pink or white blooms. This small flowering tree keeps performing once spring ends. It bears red fruits in late summer and wonderful reddish-purple autumn foliage. It is typically more disease-resistant than its North American cousin, the flowering dogwood.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: From 15 to 30 feet tall and wide, depending on variety
Zones: 5-8
Kousa dogwood is native to Asia and invasive in certain areas, so be sure to check before planting it.
Pagoda Dogwood
A favorite of wildlife gardeners, pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is a North American native species that produces clusters of blue-purple berries in summer that attract birds. The early-summer flowers attract bees and other pollinators, too. Like other dogwoods, this tree develops wonderful fall color and tolerates shade.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 25 feet tall and 30 feet wide
Zones: 3-7
Saucer Magnolia
Offering some of the most beautiful flowers of any tree, the saucer magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) is a hybrid magnolia with large blooms that appear in shades of white, pink, and purple in mid to late spring. Its showstopping nature makes it a perfect small front yard tree.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 25 feet tall and wide
Zones: 4-9
When buying a magnolia, make sure to choose the best selection for your climate. Some types of magnolias, while hardy, are susceptible to late frosts, which can damage their flowers.
Fringe Tree
Native to parts of Eastern North America, the white fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) is a versatile plant you can grow as a large shrub or small tree. Fringe trees offer clouds of fragrant white flowers in late spring that turn into clusters of blue-purple fruits in fall. The fruits are sure to attract birds. Note that there is also a Chinese fringe tree, which is not as hardy.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: From 12 to 20 feet tall and wide
Zones: 3-9
Golden Chain Tree
Magnificent when it blooms in late spring and early summer, golden chain tree (Laburnum x watereri) produces hanging clusters of yellow flowers that resemble the shape of wisteria flowers. Its flowers give way to seedpods that ripen in the fall. The tree’s green, clover-like foliage is attractive, too. The tree is a hybrid of the only two Laburnum species, both of which are native to Europe.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 30 feet tall and wide
Zones: 5-7
Carolina Silverbell
Enjoy a delightful early-spring show from Carolina silverbell (Halesia tetraptera). This small ornamental tree (or large shrub, depending on how you prune it) displays dangling clusters of white bell-shaped flowers just before it leafs out. In the fall, its foliage turns bright yellow. Carolina silverbell is native to the southeastern United States.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 40 feet tall and 35 feet wide
Zones: 4-8
Hawthorn
Attracting pollinators in early summer with sprays of white flowers, hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli) is a dense, low-branched native tree that is armed with numerous large thorns. In late summer and fall, it attracts birds with its small red fruits. The orange-red autumn color adds another layer of appeal.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 25 feet tall and 35 feet wide
Zones: 3-7
Look for thornless, disease-resistant varieties like ‘Crusader’ or make use of the thorny branches as a barrier plant.
Japanese Maple
One of the most versatile small trees is Japanese maple. (Acer palmatum). Try it as a specimen in a partly shaded spot, or use it as a focal point in a mixed border. ‘Bloodgood’ is a common selection with fine-texture burgundy foliage that turns red in autumn. ‘Sango-kaku’ is another great choice that has red branches that stand out after it loses its foliage in fall.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 20 feet tall and wide
Zones: 5-8
Japanese maples are considered invasive in some areas, so make sure they’re not a problem where you live before planting.
Paperbark Maple
The vibrant green leaves of paperbark maple (Acer griseum) turn reddish-yellow in the fall. It also boasts gorgeous red-brown, papery bark that peels back to reveal a lighter, smooth surface. Paperbark maples are native to Central China. They grow slowly, making them ideal for small to medium yards.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 20 to 30 feet tall and 12 feet wide
Zones: 5-7
Serviceberry
The ultimate small tree for four-season beauty, serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) bears slightly fragrant, white flowers in drooping clusters before the leaves emerge in early spring. The flowers give way to small, round berries, which are edible and can be used in jams, jellies, and pies (if you beat the birds to them). Outstanding orangey red fall color and striking silvery gray bark in winter round out the seasons. There are several serviceberry species native to North America, including the popular Canada serviceberry or shadblow (A. canadensis) and the Allegheny serviceberry (A. laevis).
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 25 feet tall and wide
Zones: 4-9
Mountain Stewartia
Native to Southeastern North America, mountain stewartia (Stewartia ovata) is an elegant small tree or large shrub that deserves to be more widely grown. It bears white camellia-like flowers in mid-summer when few other trees are blooming. Then it puts on a terrific fall show as the leaves turn orange and red. While it has few pests and diseases, mountain stewartia doesn’t do well with drought and appreciates shade from the hot afternoon sun.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 15 feet tall and wide
Zones: 5-9
Snowbell
Adding subtle beauty to the landscape, snowbell (Styrax japonicus), also known as Japanese snowbell, produces dangling clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers in late spring to early summer. Its mildly fragrant blossoms become blue-gray fruits in fall when the leaves turn shades of reddish-yellow. Some standout varieties include ‘Pink Chimes’, which bears pink bells instead of white; ‘Pendula’, which has an exceptionally graceful weeping form; and ‘Crystal’ with a columnar form.
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 30 feet tall and wide
Zones: 5-9
Japanese Tree Lilac
If you love lilacs, check out Japanese tree lilac (Syringa reticulata). This small tree has clusters of fragrant creamy-white flowers in early summer, after all the other lilacs have finished blooming. Though its fall color isn’t particularly showy, the shiny copper-color bark stands out in winter.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide
Zones: 3-7
Chaste Tree
If you’re looking to add a tree to your drought-tolerant garden plan, consider planting a chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus). Native to the Mediterranean, it starts its show in early to mid-autumn, producing delightful clusters of lavender, blue, or white flowers. The toothed, dark-green foliage is attractive from spring to fall, providing the perfect backdrop to help the flowers stand out.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide
Zones: 6-9
This tree is considered invasive in some areas, so check to see if it’s problematic in your area before planting it.
Powder Puff
Whether you grow it as a large shrub or prune it as a small tree, powder puff (Calliandra haematocephala) will delight you with its fluffy and fragrant red, pink, or white summertime flowers. Native to Bolivia, this heat-loving, drought-resistant evergreen is suitable for the warmest areas of California, Texas, and Florida.
Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Size: Up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Zones: 9-11
Red Buckeye
Marty Baldwin
Grown as a small, bushy tree or a shrub, red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) puts on a spectacular show in the spring and early summer with panicles of deep red flowers that are 6 to 10 inches long and persist for weeks. But that’s not the only time of the year when red buckeye is an eye catcher. In the fall, the large, shiny, dark brown seeds pop out of their husks, and the attractive palmate leaves turn red. Red buckeye is native to the southeastern United States
Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist to dry, fertile, well-drained soil
Size: 15 to 25 feet tall and wide
Zones: 4-9