Some types of dwarf trees even grow less than five to ten feet tall.
you could also consider the ‘Lemon Lime Lace’ Japanese maple for a vibrant look.
This dwarf tree slowly reaches as much as 25 feet high with a 4- to 5-foot spread.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Pruning is not typically needed, but any pruning for shape should be done in the late fall.
‘Globosa Nana’ grows only a little over 3 feet high with a pyramidal shape.
Its blue-green foliage develops a bit of a reddish-bronze color in the winter.
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Crepe myrtle assumes a multi-stemmed growth habit but can be pruned into a single-trunked tree.
Its white flowers are more delicate appearing than the Southern magnolia, and it thrives in sunny conditions.
The compact size makes it popular with those looking for a tree that’s ideal for smaller spaces.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Crabapple trees are toxic to animals.
These trees are best suited for temperate climatesthe places where citrus trees are out of the question.
While most cherry trees are small, dwarf cultivars are the smallest varieties.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
These small trees produce white blossoms in spring.
obtusais a native of Japan and suitable for zones 5 to 8.
It has a spreading growth habit with horizontal branches that dip at the ends.
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The foliage consists of flattened scale-like leaves rather than needles.
But this tree is not well suited to warm climates and will struggle in zones 7 and above.
The dense needles can be prone to fungal disease unless air circulation is good.
The Spruce
‘Covey’ Dwarf Redbud
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Even in species form,redbuds(Cercisspp.)
This North American native does not do well in hot climates but is tolerant of any well-drained soil.
It blooms pink to purple blossoms in very early spring before leaves appear.
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It generally reaches around 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide when mature.
verify to keep its soil moist but not soggy.
Its foliage also has a unique trait: When bruised it smells somewhat like peanut butter.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
It will take a few seasons to train your harlequin gloryblower into tree form with some easy pruning.
The mature plant can reach between 10 and 20 feet high.
This tree is toxic to humans and animals.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It features five-petal, sweetly fragrant blooms that appear late in the summer.
Its average height is around 8 to 10 feet.
This plant must have sharp soil drainage, as it is not tolerant of being waterlogged.
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It tops out at only around 15 feet, providing a lot of visual interest in a tiny package.
It also needs relatively little maintenance besides watching out for common garden pests, such asaphidsandscale.
But unlike typical oranges, they are quite acidic and have more of a lemon flavor.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Many gardeners leave them on the tree for aesthetic value rather than consuming them.
Dawn Redwood
The main dawn redwood(Metasequoia glyptostroboides)species can easily reach 100 feet.
However, the cultivar Miss Grace is an extremely slow-growing, non-flowering dwarf tree.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It will only reach around 8 feet after 10 years.
This cultivar has a weeping form that offers flexibility for those with small yards.
It can be left to weep in almost a completely prostrate manner orstaked to grow upright.
The Spruce / Les Engels
But it is a beautiful flowering tree thats worth a look.
Plus, its quite hardy and adaptable to various growing conditions.
It can tolerate some shade but ideally should be planted in full sun for best flowering.
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In optimal growing conditions, it is prone to spreading via root suckers around the base of the plant.
These should be removed if you want to limit its spread.
They host countless moths and butterflies and are a vital source of food for wildlife.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The dwarf chestnut oak(Quercus prinoides)allows you to contribute to this even in a small yard.
Plus, it will start producing acorns in a few years, benefiting wildlife.
It is widely available.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Its conical form requires little maintenance.
However, to get the attractive berries, you need both a female plant and a male pollinator nearby.
Fruits can be toxic to humans.
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But the nonflowering dwarf tree cultivarAbies pinsapo’Fastigiata' only reaches around 10 feet tall.
The short, rigid, evergreen needles are a blue-green color.
And the seed cones are a pinkish-purple color that matures to brown.
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Thisfir treeis fairly low-maintenance, but it is important to watch out for insects and pests.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel(Hamamelis virginiana)can be grown as a shrub or dwarf tree.
In the fall, the plant bears shaggy, citrus-scented,yellow flowers.
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Overall, witch hazel is low-maintenance.
If you oughta clean up growth, pruning in the early spring is best.
Each has white flowers, but the fruit will range from yellow to green, pink and red.
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It grows 8 to 10 feet tall with seedless, sweet fruit that ripens in midsummer.
The tree may be toxic to animals.
It can also make an excellent container tree for a sunny patio.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The tree is toxic to animals.
These fluffy blossoms cascade down towards the ground in the weeping cultivar, which requires little pruning.
The dwarf version of weeping cherry trees rarely gets taller than 10 to 12 feet.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Hydrangea
danlogan/Getty Images
While hydrangeas (Hydrangeaspp.)
This is most often done withlimelight hydrangeasby pruning them into the shape of an ornamental tree.
Generally, they reach just the right size to complement a garden with height and floral interest.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Tip
If you have a small yard, focus on your vertical space.
Select plants with an upright growth habit, and use vertical planters to maximize your ground space.
Dwarf trees generally do not get bigger than 15 feet, even at their most mature size.
Linda Raymond / Getty Images
They don’t require pruning to stay this small.
Dwarf trees are generally lower maintenance than larger trees.
Flowering Crabapple Trees.Colorado State University Extension.
Neme Jimenez / Getty Images
Spruce Problems.Missouri Botanical Garden.
Clerodendrum trichotomum Peanut Butter Shrub.The National Gardening Association.
Acer campestre.Missouri Botanical Garden.
Denis Tevekov / Getty Images
Ilex x aquipernyi.North Carolina State Extension.
Pests in Gardens and Landscapes.University of California IPM.
Growing Apple Trees in a Home Garden.University of Maryland Extension.
masahiro Makino/Getty Images
danlogan/Getty Images
Trees and grass are happier when kept separate by mulch.Mark Turner/Getty Images
