In some places, you need small trees to cast a little shade, soften a view, or add a low but much needed canopy where space is tight. The following trees are especially suited for framing a house, for cutouts in a patio, or for courtyards and townhouse gardens. They are highly ornamental and will stay small enough so as not to overpower the space. Most will grow from 20 to 35 feet tall.

  • Arborvitae
  • Cherry
  • Chinese fringe tree
  • Chinese pistachio
  • Crabapple
  • Crape myrtle
  • Flowering dogwood
  • Fringe tree
  • Golden chain tree
  • Hawthorn
  • Hedge maple
  • Japanese maple
  • Loquat
  • Mountain ash
  • Oriental magnolias
  • Paperbark maple
  • Purple-leafed plum
  • Redbud
  • Russian olive
  • Saucer magnolia
  • Serviceberry
  • Smoke tree
  • Tree lilac