{"id":7321,"date":"2026-05-24T08:40:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T15:40:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/24\/17-of-the-best-small-trees-for-urban-gardens\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T08:40:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T15:40:39","slug":"17-of-the-best-small-trees-for-urban-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/24\/17-of-the-best-small-trees-for-urban-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"17 of the Best Small Trees for Urban Gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"

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11. Jade Butterflies<\/h2>\n

\u2018Jade Butterflies\u2019 is a compact Ginkgo biloba<\/em> cultivar that performs well in urban locales, producing gorgeous butterfly-shaped leaves that turn yellow in autumn.<\/p>\n

While the straight species, which hails from China, can reach up to 100 feet tall, this is one of the smaller ginkgo cultivars for your landscape<\/a><\/strong>, reaching just six to 12 feet tall with a spread of three to nine feet.<\/p>\n

You can grow this ginkgo in Zones 4 to 8 as long as you have full sun.<\/p>\n

This deciduous species is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, even compacted soil, and both alkaline and acidic conditions.<\/p>\n

\u2018Jade Butterflies\u2019 makes a great choice as a small tree for an urban yard since it tolerates both pollution and heat.<\/p>\n

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Ginkgo Biloba<\/em> \u2018Jade Butterflies\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Some gardeners avoid ginkgos because of the stinky and messy fruits the female trees produce, but since \u2018Jade Butterflies\u2019 is a male selection, you won\u2019t have to worry about smells or fruit cleanup.<\/p>\n

Two- to three-foot \u2018Jade Butterfly\u2019 saplings are available at Fast Growing Trees<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Check out our guide to growing ginkgo here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

12. Japanese Maple<\/h2>\n

One of the most popular small trees is the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum<\/em>)<\/a><\/strong>, a species native to Asia that has numerous beautiful cultivars.<\/p>\n

In general these deciduous plants reach up to 25 feet tall and wide, and have lobed, palm-shaped leaves in gorgeous shades of yellow, green, red, and purple.<\/p>\n

They also put on a stunning show with their fall colors.<\/p>\n

Gardeners with urban yards in Zones 5 to 8 can grow Japanese maples in dappled sunlight as long as they have well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter and on the moist side.<\/p>\n

While Japanese maples are perfect for smaller spaces, the verdict is still out on how tolerant of pollution they are.<\/p>\n

So if you live in an area with a lot of air pollution, you may want to reach for an alternative, like hedge maple (A. campestre<\/em>).<\/p>\n

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\u2018Bloodgood\u2019 Japanese Maple<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

On the other hand, for those ready to choose a\u00a0Japanese maple variety<\/a><\/strong>, \u2018Bloodgood,\u2019 is one of the best cultivars \u2013 it reaches 20 feet tall and wide, and has red leaves and a rounded shape.<\/p>\n

You can purchase \u2018Bloodgood\u2019 Japanese maple saplings of various sizes at Fast Growing Trees<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Learn how to grow and care for \u2018Bloodgood\u2019 Japanese maple trees here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

13. Kousa Dogwood<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a small flowering tree that blooms in late spring, consider Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa<\/em>).<\/p>\n

These deciduous dogwood trees<\/a><\/strong> are native to Asia and won\u2019t grow more than 30 feet tall and wide. They bear showy white to pink blooms, and pink or red edible fruits.<\/p>\n

Expect showy fall colors in shades of red or purple from these wildlife-friendly specimens.<\/p>\n

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Kousa Dogwood<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kousa dogwoods are somewhat pollution tolerant, hardy in Zones 5 to 8, need full sun or part shade, and acidic, well-draining soil.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find two- to three-foot kousa dogwood saplings available for purchase at Nature Hills Nursery<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Learn how to grow and care for kousa dogwoods here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

14. Olive<\/h2>\n

If you live in Zones 8 to 10, you can add olives (Olea europaea<\/em>) to your list of options that will thrive in some urban yards, however, avoid planting them in areas of high air pollution.<\/p>\n

These evergreens, native to the Mediterranean, Africa, and Asia, reach up to 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide, though some varieties are more compact.<\/p>\n

In addition to their silvery evergreen foliage, they bear the edible fruits that you may best recognize when stuffed with a slice of pimento.<\/p>\n

Olive trees require full sun and well-draining soil to thrive, and are drought tolerant.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Arbequina\u2019 Olive Tree<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This compact cultivar reaches just 20 feet tall and 12 feet wide. The fruits can be used for brining or for pressing into oil, an added bonus in a small tree.<\/p>\n

\u2018Arbequina\u2019 olive saplings of multiple sizes are available at Fast Growing Trees<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Our guide to growing olives<\/a><\/strong> can get you started.<\/p>\n

15. Red Buckeye<\/h2>\n

Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia<\/em>) is a\u00a0deer-resistant plant that bears showy, large, red flower clusters that will attract hummingbirds and other pollinators to your urban yard.<\/p>\n

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Also known by the colorful common names firecracker plant and scarlet buckeye, this deciduous species reaches no more than 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide at maturity.<\/p>\n

It has a multi-trunked, rounded growth habit, and large, compound leaves that turn beautiful shades of red in fall.<\/p>\n

Red buckeye is hardy in Zones 4 to 8, where it flourishes in partial shade and prefers moist soil with good drainage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n