Trees for Narrow Spaces and Sites Near Powerlines

Do you have a small yard or space that needs the perfect little tree? Or perhaps an inconveniently located powerline is cramping your garden’s style? Or maybe you are looking for a striking vertical accent specimen that is very tall but especially narrow? Whatever your landscape challenges, there are some lovely compact trees that will work for such sites. First, let’s get a sense of what constitutes a small tree:

Trees that work under powerlines typically need to stay under 15 feet in height, while trees that create a vertical accent feature are typically narrower than 15 feet. Below are some trees (and a few large shrubs) we recommend for different types of compact spaces or accent effects. Some can be pruned to enhance narrowness or compact growth form. Unless otherwise noted, these trees tolerate winter winds and can grow in full sun or part shade.

Trees and large shrubs that are narrow but tall

• Columnar beech cultivars (deciduous)
• Columnar aspen cultivars (deciduous)
• Columnar hornbeam cultivars (deciduous)
• Columnar gingko cultivars (deciduous)
• Columnar ironwood (Parrotia) cultivars (deciduous)
• Daybreak magnolia (protect from winter wind to maximize blooms; deciduous)
• Some columnar and weeping spruce cultivars (full sun; evergreen)
• Weeping Alaskan “cedar” cultivars (protect from winter wind; evergreen)
• Golden hinoki cypress (protect from wind; evergreen)

Trees and large shrubs that stay relatively short

• Some magnolia cultivars (protect from winter wind to maximize blooms; deciduous)
• Witch-hazel cultivars (Diane, Pallida, Arnold’s Promise; deciduous)
• Some weeping beech cultivars (deciduous, may require pruning to shape)