By Linda Langelo
As residential density increases and lot sizes shrink, homeowners need to make smarter choices that suit their compact landscapes. Industry experts at Standard Nursery and Bartlett Tree Experts recommended several of their favorite columnar trees that grow up instead of out, perfect for smaller lot sizes. Some of these selections offer heat tolerance, great fall color, and resilience to climate change.
With columnar and compact trees, seasonal interest is added value for the homeowner. If you want the biggest impact in a small landscape, “focus on making something interesting to look at in all four seasons. Something like paperbark maple (Acer griseum) will provide lots of winter interest with its copper and exfoliating bark,” Bartlett Tree Experts Arborist Trainer Logan Collier said. Paperbark maple is very upright, with an oval or rounded habit, with scarlet fall color. It grows 20–25 feet tall and 15–20 feet wide.
If a homeowner wants a plant that will make a statement in a small space, consider a Japanese maple.
“I have over 40 different cultivars that each bring a unique twist, so Japanese maples are becoming more of an artistic expression and regaining their place as a landscape centerpiece,” said Josh LaPoint, owner of Standard Nursery, a wholesale nursery in Lafayette, Oregon.
“I think the Acer palmatum ‘Geisha Gone Wild’ is a must-have because it brings the growth habit of an ornamental Japanese maple but has a pink variegation that is absolutely stunning!” La Point said. It grows to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide over 10 years. It has an upright, vase-shaped habit. It needs full sun to partial shade and well-drained, organically rich soil. It does well in zones 5–9.
“For the traditional Japanese maple lover, Acer palmatum ‘Shishigashira’ is a standout,” Collier said. Known more commonly as Lion’s Head maple, it has a compact, vase-shaped habit. It will mature to 7’-10’ tall x 5’-8’ wide. It grows in full sun to partial shade and needs consistent moisture. The fall foliage is gold to orange. It grows in zones 6–10. It has more resistance to humidity than other cultivars.
Homeowners with neighbors in closer proximity may prefer evergreens. Some are climate-adapted trees for smaller landscapes. “You can get a respectable tree manzanita like Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Dr. Hurd’ that will be 15 feet tall,” Collier said. “There is a manzanita for every single garden.”
“North Pole® Arborvitae is gaining traction as well. This is a Proven Winners introduction known for greater cold hardiness. It works for smaller yards because of its compact size, and we are excited to see how it performs over the next few years.” LaPoint said.
Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Dr. Hurd’ grows to 15–25 feet tall and 10–20 feet wide. Its habit is upright with smooth, mahogany-red bark that becomes more attractive with age. In winter to early spring, there are white to pale pink, urn-shaped flowers, then small reddish berries that attract birds. It requires full sun and excellent drainage. It becomes drought-tolerant once it is established. It is considered a tree for a water-wise landscape.
North Pole® arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Art Boe’ PP22174) will reach 10–15 feet tall by 3–5 feet wide. This cultivar is much narrower than other arborvitae. It works well as a privacy screen. It does tolerate some shade but prefers full sun. It likes moist, well-drained soil but adapts to a wide range of soil types. It grows in zones 3–7.
“There are new cultivars of Hinoki cypress on the evergreen side that can add year-round interest, but I think the top prize goes to color,” LaPoint said. “The Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’ is the same plant as Nana Gracilis, except that it is gold and homeowners will be able to find it.”
Commonly known as dwarf golden Hinoki cypress, C.o. ‘Nana Lutea’ is a dwarf maturing to 3–5 feet tall and wide. It grows in full to partial shade; however, in warmer climates, afternoon shade is recommended to prevent foliage scorch. The foliage turns golden in full sun. In shade, the foliage turns lime green. Good drainage and moist soil are best. In winter, protection from strong winds is advised. Grows best in zones 4–8.
For homeowners interested in adding resilient, climate-adapted trees, there are plenty of choices. “Trees and shrubs from summer-dry or Mediterranean climates are well adapted to life west of the Cascades. Trees such as Quercus greggii, Ceanothus thyrsflorus, Arbutus ‘Marina’, and Eucryphia x ‘Nymansay’ are all very fine trees with low water demand,” Collier said.
Gregg oak (Quercus greggii Trel.) is 15–30 feet tall by 15–25 feet wide, and it can be evergreen or semi-evergreen depending on climate. Full sun is preferred. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including rocky or dry soils. It tolerates drought and needs low water once established. It grows in zones 7–10.
Blue Blossom ceanothus (Ceanothus thyrsflorus) is typically an evergreen shrub but can be tree-like, growing to 6–20 feet tall by 6–15 feet wide. It prefers sun but tolerates light shade. Well-drained soil is best, but it tolerates sandy, rocky, and dry soil. It requires low water once established. It grows in zones 7–10.
Marina strawberry tree (Arbutus marina) has reddish, peeling bark, glossy green leaves, pink urn-shaped flowers, and red-orange strawberry-like fruit. This evergreen tree grows 20–40 feet tall by 20–35 feet wide. It does well in full sun to partial shade. It prefers well-drained soil but can grow in clay, sandy, and rocky soil with good drainage. It grows in zones 7–10.
Nyman’s Eucryphia (Eucryphia x ‘Nymansay’) is an evergreen flowering tree with glossy foliage and white, camellia -like flowers during summer. It grows 20–40 feet tall by 15–30 feet wide. Prefers afternoon shade in warmer climates but does well in full sun to partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral, well-drained, fertile soil. This grows in zones 7–10.
There is a columnar or compact tree to suit every homeowner’s taste and landscape need. Whether the goal is adding vibrant color, creating privacy, providing a striking accent, conserving water, or withstanding our challenging climate. The structure and beauty of trees bring value to small landscapes.