18 Best Medium-Sized Trees

By
Marie Iannotti
Garden Writer Marie Iannotti
Marie Iannotti
Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Marie's garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 04/05/22
Reviewed by
Julie Thompson-Adolf
Julie Thompson-Adolf
Reviewed by Julie Thompson-Adolf

Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author with over 30 years of experience in year-round organic gardening; seed starting, growing heirlooms, and sustainable farming.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
dwarf cypress tree

The Spruce / Autumn Wood 

We don't all have room for a mighty oak or a weeping beech in our backyards. But there are many medium-sized trees that should suit your space. Whether you are looking for a little shade or a bit of color to brighten your property, these trees mature at under 40 feet tall and generally require minimal maintenance to look great. Here are 18 medium-sized trees that are ideal for landscaping tight spaces.

illustration of trees for small spaces
The Spruce

Tip

If you have a small yard, focus on your vertical space. Select plants with an upright growing habit, and use hanging baskets and other vertical planters to maximize your ground space.

23 Small Backyard Ideas to Make the Most of Your Space
  • 01 of 18

    Red Buckeye (Aesculus Pavia)

    Red buckeye tree branches with large ribbed leaves and pink flower spikes

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    The red buckeye puts on a dazzling spring show with vivid red flowers that last for weeks. The flowers are popular with hummingbirds and butterflies. This is a slow-growing tree that matures to a height of around 15 feet with a similar canopy spread. Hot, dry conditions can scorch the leaves. So aim to plant your tree somewhere that gets afternoon shade, especially in hot climates, and water it during dry spells. NOTE: the seeds and leaves are toxic. Keep away from children and animals.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Red
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
  • 02 of 18

    Crabapple (Malus)

    Crabapple tree with small pink blossoms on branches with red leaves

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Even the smallest yards can accommodate a crabapple tree. On average, crabapples stop growing at around 12 to 20 feet tall. They provide a month of spring flowers that attract pollinators, including honeybees. Then, the flowers are followed by dangling clusters of fruits that are popular with birds. Pruning isn’t always necessary but can be done as needed in late winter.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Pink, red, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, medium moisture, slightly acidic, well-draining
  • 03 of 18

    Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

    Crepe myrtle tree with pink flower clusters on end of branches

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Crepe myrtles require a long, warm growing season, but they reward you with stunning flowers throughout the summer and showy fall foliage. Also, removing the lower branches can expose the attractive bark. Crepe myrtles bloom on new wood and should be pruned in late winter. They can reach heights of 25 to 30 feet.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10
    • Color Varieties: White, purple, pink, red
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Average, neutral to slightly acidic, well-draining
  • 04 of 18

    Dogwood (Cornus)

    Dogwood tree branches with large leaves and large white flowers

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Dogwood trees are fast growers that can handle a partially shaded site. They are one of the first trees to bloom in the spring and even look good when they are surrounded by their fallen petals. There are several dogwood species, so make sure you choose one that is suitable for your area. Most grow to only 15 to 25 feet tall. Be sure to plant them in well-draining soil. They like moisture, but soggy soil can kill them.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, white, pink, red
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
    Continue to 5 of 18 below.
  • 05 of 18

    Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum X Watereri)

    Golden chain tree branches full of leaves and long yellow flower clusters

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Golden chain trees have a distinctive green bark. The clover-like leaves allow some dappled sun to break through, but it is the long clusters of brilliant yellow flowers that make this tree a stunner. The trees bloom in late spring and grow to about 15 to 25 feet tall. Grow this tree in a location that’s sheltered from strong winds, as its branches are somewhat weak. Also, the trunks of young trees are often floppy and can benefit from staking.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Yellow
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, medium moisture, well-draining

    Warning

    Although the seed pods on this tree are ornamental, they’re also poisonous and should be kept away from children and pets. Many gardeners choose to remove the pods because they draw energy from the plant. Note: all parts of the plant—roots, bark, wood, leaves, flower buds, petals, and seedpods—are poisonous.

  • 06 of 18

    Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus Crus-Galli)

    Hawthorn Tree (Crataegus crus-galli)

    R A Kearton / Getty Images 

    Take the word "thorn" in the name of this tree seriously. While you would not want to plant a small hawthorn where children or pets will be playing, this tree offers beautiful white spring flowers, long-lasting red fruits that are popular with birds, and glowing red-orange fall foliage. Thornless varieties are available—check the plant tag. Once it matures to 15 to 25 feet in height, the thorns should not be a problem. Prune as needed, but wear protective clothing due to the thorns.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
    • Color Varieties: White
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
  • 07 of 18

    Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum)

    Japanese maple tree with bright red leaves on branches

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Japanese maples can be shrubby or small trees with weeping habits or spreading canopies. They are beloved for their delicate leaves, which can be deeply lobed, sometimes to the point of being fringed. There are green- and red-leaf varieties that turn eye-catching shades of red, orange, and purple in the fall. Their average mature height is 15 to 25 feet tall. Regular pruning typically isn’t necessary, though you can remove lower branches to create more of a tree-like canopy. For small gardens, look for dwarf varieties, or choose one grafted onto dwarf rootstock.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Red-purple
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, slightly acidic, well-draining
  • 08 of 18

    Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia X Soulangeana)

    Saucer magnolia tree branch with large pinkish-white flowers and leaflings

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    The delicately fragrant purple-and-white flowers of the saucer magnolia appear before the leaves unfurl in the spring. The flowers can be 10 inches across, giving them their common name of "saucer." They cover the tree's canopy. Saucer magnolias might need a bit of shaping through pruning, but they don't grow much taller than 20 to 25 feet. Keep the soil moisture consistent, as these plants don’t do well in soil that’s too wet or too dry.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
    • Color Varieties: White and purple
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, acidic, loamy, well-draining
    Continue to 9 of 18 below.
  • 09 of 18

    Mimosa (Albizia Julibrissin)

    Mimosa tree with large sprawling branches with fern-like leaves

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    The mimosa tree has a very tropical appearance with huge, fern-like leaves. Plus, its unusual, fragrant, thread-like flowers give the plant another common name: the silk tree. Although beautiful and popular with wildlife, it can be invasive in certain areas, so check with your local cooperative extension office before planting one in your yard. Their average height is 20 to 40 feet tall. These plants are tolerant of heat and some drought, though they grow best with consistent moisture.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Pink
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
  • 10 of 18

    Pawpaw (Asimina Triloba)

    Pawpaw Tree

    xPACIFICA / Getty Images

    Pawpaw trees have foot-long leaves and tropical-looking fruits with a flavor described as a cross between an avocado and a sweet mango. You need two varieties of pawpaw trees for cross-pollination to produce the fruits. These are small to medium trees, reaching a height of around 15 to 30 feet. Plant your tree in a spot that gets enough sun, as pawpaws can get leggy and produce less fruit in the shade.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Purple
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium to wet moisture, acidic, well-draining
  • 11 of 18

    Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis)

    Eastern redbud tree branches with tiny pink flower clusters

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Eastern redbuds burst into flower in the very early spring before they leaf out. The flowers are more of a hot pink than red, and there are also white flowering varieties. The plant has an attractive spreading habit that opens into a vase-like shape. Popular with early butterflies, the eastern redbud averages 20 to 30 feet in height. Good drainage is a necessity for your planting site. Also, aim to plant a young eastern redbud and then leave it in place, as these trees typically don’t do well with transplanting.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Pink, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
  • 12 of 18

    Serviceberry (Amelanchier Arborea)

    Serviceberry tree with bare branches with tiny white flowers and tiny brown leaves

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Serviceberry trees are in the rose family, and you will notice the similarities in both their white spring flowers and the fruits. Like crabapples and rose hips, the fruits are edible but tart. And they are very popular with birds. There are several species and varieties of serviceberry that make excellent landscape plants. Some grow only 8 to 10 feet tall while others will mature at around 20 feet. Remove root suckers from your serviceberry if you wish, as they will promote more of a shrub-like, spreading growth habit.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: White
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
    Continue to 13 of 18 below.
  • 13 of 18

    Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea Glauca 'Conica')

    Dwarf Alberta spruce tree trimmed in a pyramidal shape

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Many evergreens make wonderful specimen plants in small yards. The dwarf Alberta spruce isn't really a dwarf tree; it just grows slowly and does not usually get larger than around 10 to 13 feet tall. Its needles are very dense, and it retains its pyramidal shape without pruning. However, it does not tolerate pollutants and salt spray very well, so plant it away from roads.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Nonflowering
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining
  • 14 of 18

    Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia Pseudocamellia)

    Japanese stewartia tree branch with ribbed leaves and white flowers

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    The showy, white flowers of the Japanese stewartia tree open over a series of weeks in midsummer. Enhancing the flowers is the peeling bark in mottled shades of orange, red, brown, and gray. This is a very ornamental specimen tree that grows slowly but can eventually reach heights of over 30 feet. It’s low-maintenance, with pruning only necessary for shaping or to remove damaged portions. Generally, it doesn’t have many problems with pests or diseases.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
    • Color Varieties: White
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining
  • 15 of 18

    Chaste Tree (Vitex Agnus-Castus)

    Chaste tree with long thin leaves and small pink and white flower spikes

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Although it's called the chaste tree, this plant is really more of a deciduous shrub. However, it is a large shrub, reaching around 8 to 20 feet tall and 5 to 20 feet wide. You can easily control its size with pruning. It is the long clusters of flowers that make this tree so enticing for both people and butterflies. It is often compared to the butterfly bush (Buddleja spp.) but blooms later and will bloom again if you deadhead it (remove spent blooms).

    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Blue-violet, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Loose, medium moisture, well-draining
  • 16 of 18

    Weeping Cherry (Prunus Pendula)

    Weeping cherry tree with hanging pink and white blossoms

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    The branches of weeping cherry trees can be covered in flowers from their crown to the tips brushing the ground. These are spring bloomers that look best when given a prominent spot of their own in which they can spread out. There are dwarf varieties that only grow around 8 to 10 feet tall, as well as larger varieties that can reach 40 feet over time. Pruning typically isn’t necessary outside of removing dead, damaged, or diseased portions. But if you thin out branches to improve air circulation, it can help to prevent insect and fungal problems.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Pink, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, rich, moist, well-draining
    Continue to 17 of 18 below.
  • 17 of 18

    Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana)

    Witch hazel tree with yellow fringe-like petals on bare branches

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Witch hazels have shaggy, citrus-scented blossoms in rich shades of yellow, orange, and red. There are several excellent species and varieties. Some bloom in late winter before the leaves open, and others put on their show in the fall. These are technically shrubs, averaging 10 to 20 feet tall, and they are very low maintenance. Prune in the early spring if you need to remove damaged portions or shape the plant.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, red
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining
  • 18 of 18

    Paper Birch (Betula Papyrifera)

    Paper birch tree with light-colored bark and bright green leaves

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Birch trees tend to grow in multi-trunk clumps. Many have attractive bark, such as the white paper bark birch and river birch, along with wonderful golden fall color. Although they can reach 60 feet tall, they have a narrow spread at their base, and their canopy will still allow dappled sunlight to pass through into a small yard. Paper birches generally need minimal pruning. Just be sure to keep the soil moist, especially if you go through stretches without rain. Consider mulch around your tree to keep its roots cool.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 6
    • Color Varieties: Yellow-brown or green blooms
    • Sun Exposure: Part shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, evenly moist, well-draining
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Aesculus Pavia. Missouri Botanical Garden

  2. Growing Dogwoods. University of Georgia Extension

  3. Magnolia × Soulangeana. Missouri Botanical Garden

  4. Cercis Canadensis. Missouri Botanical Garden

  5. Picea Glauca 'Conica'. Missouri Botanical Garden

  6. Hall, Carol W., and Norman E. Hall. Timber Press Guide to Gardening in the Pacific Northwest. Timber Press, 2008