10 Trees for Urban and Small Space Gardens

Trees are the backbone of the garden.

They provide structure and framing. But not all trees can fit in small or urban gardens.

Trees also give us shade and often flowers, fruits, nuts, and more. Many of them have several seasons of interest from textured bark in winter to flaming foliage color in fall. A small tree can be grown in a large container for several years and then planted out in the garden.

3. Ginkgo

(Ginkgo biloba)

Also known as the Maidenhair tree, this tree has beautiful fan-shaped leaves that turn golden yellow in autumn.

They drop their foliage en masse in late November to dramatic effect. The trees are a good choice for urban locations as they withstand both street pollution and road salt spray. They are slow-growing and can take 30 or more years to mature. Ginkgo trees prefer to grow in full sun and in well-draining soils. Zone Hardy 3 – 9

4. Black Tupelo or Black Gum

(Nyssa sylvatica)

This is a great native specimen tree that grows to about 30 feet.

The fall foliage is spectacular in many shades of yellow, orange, bright red, purple, or scarlet that may appear on the same branch. It prefers well-drained, acid soils, and full sun to partial shade. Zone Hardy 4 – 9

5. Japanese Maple

(Acer palmatum)

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) has over 300 cultivars and generally stays under 20 feet tall.

Fall color depends on the cultivar, but most have a deep amazing red color. It prefers part-shade and moist, well-drained soil. It is insect and pollution-resistant. Zone Hardy 5-8

6. Fringe Tree

(Chionanthus virginicus)

Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus) is native to the Eastern United States.

The “fringe” of this tree refers to the long, white, clusters of drooping flowers in late spring. They are mildly fragrant and give it its alternate common name of “Old Man’s Beard.” These trees prefer moist, but well-draining and fertile soil. It flowers best in full-sun to part-shade. It typically reaches between 12 to 20 feet tall. Zone Hardy 4-9

7. Kousa Dogwood

(Cornus kousa)

This Dogwood grows to 20 feet in a vase shape.

It is slow-growing, compact, and ideal for part shade. The fall foliage is an interesting purplish-red to scarlet. It also has red berries in fall and flowers in late spring. It prefers moist, well-drained, but can take dry, compacted soils. Zone Hardy 5-8

8. Katsura Tree

(Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

This tree can reach 20 feet in 20 years and matures to about 40 feet.

The foliage all growing season is colorful and unique then in fall, it turns a bright apricot-orange. The fall leaves also give off a pleasant spicy scent. Grows in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soil. Zone Hardy 4-8

9. Eastern Redbud

(Cercis canadensis)

Eastern Redbud trees are deer-resistant, shade-tolerant, and the perfect size for even the smallest garden.

The flowers cover the tree’s bare branches in early spring and, on older specimens, even along its trunk. When they will leaf out this tree is just as pretty. The heart-shaped foliage also is spectacular in autumn turning a bright, clear yellow. These trees do fine in our heavy clay soils and do well in light shade. They appreciate some protection from the hot afternoon summer sun. Zone Hardy 4-9

10. Crape Myrtles

(Lagerstroemia)

These trees are native to Asia and were introduced to the United States in 1790.

Crape Myrtles are known for their colorful, long-lasting flowers that bloom in the summer. One of the joys of the crape myrtle tree is its brilliant fall color and in the winter is its beautiful, exfoliating bark. Crape myrtle flowers most heavily in full sun. If planted in colder zones, they die back to the ground each winter, but with care and lots of mulching will regenerate new growth from their roots. Zone Hardy 7-10