Compact gardens can benefit greatly from the presence of columnar trees, as they bring a strong visual impact to small spaces. These slender deciduous and evergreen trees are perfect for narrow areas, serving as focal points, elegant statements, or accents to enhance your property’s features. If you’re looking to create a natural privacy fence in a tight space, these skinny, columnar trees are essential for small-space gardening. Additionally, conical trees with a narrow width are ideal for container gardening.
It’s worth noting that narrow columnar trees have various landscape uses regardless of garden size. However, in urban areas where green spaces are scarce, slender columnar trees play a vital role in landscaping. By choosing narrow trees, you can ensure that they won’t outgrow your small garden.
Now, let’s explore the best columnar trees suitable for planting in small gardens. In this article, we’ll examine 17 trees with slender girths that are ideal for landscaping in limited spaces.
Introduction to Columnar Trees for Compact Gardens
Columnar trees, also known as fastigiate trees, possess a greater height than width. These narrow tree species can have a column, spike, cone, or pole-like shape. While most columnar trees are evergreens like arborvitae, spruces, cedars, and junipers, there are plenty of skinny deciduous trees suitable for planting in compact gardens.
To enhance the landscape’s appeal, you can opt for narrow trees with drooping or weeping branches. Trees with slender forms can add shade, beauty, and protection from the sun or harsh winter winds in gardens where space is limited.
Advantages of Columnar Trees for Small Gardens
Narrow, slender, upright, columnar trees are perfect for planting in compact garden landscapes. Their growth habits require minimal space, ensuring that these slim trees won’t overcrowd your garden. In small gardens where space is limited, these skinny trees offer vertical appeal without encroaching on horizontal space.
Another benefit of planting pencil-like or spike-like trees is the reduced maintenance they require. Many columnar cultivars and hybrids naturally maintain their conical, upright shape, minimizing the need for frequent pruning. Additionally, if you choose to plant evergreen columnar trees, you’ll eliminate the need for garden cleanup tasks in the fall.
The Finest Evergreen Columnar Trees for Small Gardens (Including Pictures)
Even in the smallest of gardens, there are numerous evergreen columnar trees that can meet your landscaping needs. Continue reading to discover the best evergreen trees with narrow forms, conical shapes, and foliage that remains throughout the year.
1. Columnar Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’)
The sky pencil holly is an excellent choice for small gardens due to its upright growth habit and small size. This slender evergreen tree features upward-growing branches covered in small glossy green leaves. It serves as an ideal vertical focal point when planted in a small garden.
Suitable for USDA zones 5 to 8, the evergreen sky pencil holly grows between 6 and 10 ft. (1.8 – 3 m) tall and less than 3 ft. (1 m) wide. Thanks to its narrow girth, this pencil-like tree can be used as a thin evergreen hedge or pruned and planted along a foundation line.
2. ‘North Pole’ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘North Pole’)
Also known as ‘Art Boe’ thuja, the narrow ornamental ‘North Pole’ arborvitae is a columnar conifer tree with a conical shape. Its narrow form and soft, feathery foliage make it an ideal choice for landscaping small gardens. This slender tree can
be used as a hedge, natural screen, foundation planting, or specimen tree.
The ‘North Pole’ arborvitae grows between 4 and 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m) tall and measures only 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide at the base. Therefore, it is well-suited to many small gardens. Apart from ground planting, this conifer can be grown in a container to add greenery to an entranceway.
It thrives in USDA zones 3 through 7.
3. Evergreen American Arborvitae ‘Yellow Ribbon’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’)
The ‘Yellow Ribbon’ American arborvitae is a cone-shaped evergreen conifer with a slender footprint. This evergreen landscaping columnar tree is perfect for even the smallest of gardens. It boasts beautiful yellowish-green foliage consisting of soft, flattened, scale-like leaves that grow on ascending branches, creating a columnar appearance.
The arborvitae ‘Yellow Ribbon’ is a tall and narrow evergreen tree, growing between 8 and 10 ft. (2.4 – 3 m) tall and only up to 3 ft. (1 m) wide. It can be used as a privacy screen, vertical accent, or planted at the corner of a house.
It is suitable for planting in USDA zones 2 through 7.
4. Evergreen Colorado Blue Spruce ‘Fastigiata’ (Picea pungens ‘Fastigiata’)
The Colorado blue spruce ‘Fastigiata’ is a narrow, evergreen columnar tree suitable for small gardens and tight spaces. It features bluish-green needle-like leaves, a pyramidal habit, and an elegant shape. Among the blue spruce species, this cultivar is the narrowest.
The ‘Fastigiata’ Colorado blue spruce is an excellent addition to small space gardens. It grows between 10 and 15 ft. (3 – 4.5 m) tall and only 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide. However, it takes around ten years to reach its mature height.
You can plant this columnar tree in a small garden within USDA zones 3 through 8.
5. Columnar Evergreen Italian Cypress Tree (Cupressus sempervirens)
Also known as the Mediterranean cypress or pencil pine, this evergreen tree possesses a distinctly columnar, narrow habit. It has fastigiate growth, significantly reducing its footprint. The tree’s slender form resembles a thin pencil. Its characteristics include aromatic bluish-green foliage, small oval cones, and narrow growth.
If you have a tiny garden and require a narrow evergreen tree for landscaping, consider the cypress ‘Tiny Tower’ cultivar. This short tree naturally maintains a tidy shape and remains narrow without pruning. It grows between 20 and 25 ft. (6 – 7.6 m) tall and 3 ft. (1 m) wide.
The evergreen columnar Italian cypress tree is suitable for growing in compact gardens within USDA zones 7 to 10.
6. Narrow Spartan Juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’)
The spartan juniper is a columnar tree with a pencil-like growth habit, making it perfect for planting in a corner of a small garden. Its upward-growing branches and narrow shape create an elegant landscaping tree. The columnar tree showcases attractive dark-green scaly leaves on its erect branches.
Spartan junipers are evergreen trees that make a statement in garden landscapes. The small garden landscaping tree grows between 15 and 20 ft. (4.5 – 6 m) tall and only 4 to 5 ft. (1.2 – 1.5 m) wide. In USDA zones 4 to 9, this attractive evergreen is ideal for foundation plantings, specimen plants, or evergreen hedges.
7. Moonglow Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Moonglow’)
The moonglow juniper is a columnar evergreen conifer with a pyramidal shape. It is characterized by exceptionally showy silver foliage and a narrow conical form, making it an extremely attractive addition to compact front or backyards. The foliage resembles moonlight with its silvery-green color.
This columnar ornamental tree is taller than it is wide, growing up to 20 ft. (6 m) tall but only 8 ft. (2.4 m) wide. However, it takes approximately ten years to reach maturity. The moonglow juniper grows well as an individual small tree in front yards. It is also ideal for group plantings, living screens, or windbreaks.
Additionally, you can plant this tree in containers to decorate a patio or deck area. It is suitable for USDA zones 3 to 7.
8. Narrow Skyrocket Juniper (Juniperus virginiana ‘Skyrocket’)
The skyrocket juniper is one of the narrowest juniper species, boasting a slender, columnar shape. These evergreen narrow trees feature bluish-green foliage, blue berries in the winter, and sharply-pointed leaves. Skyrocket junipers fit into tight spots in small gardens and are suitable for growing in narrow spaces between homes.
Skyrocket juniper conifers grow between 15 and 20 ft. (4.5 – 6 m) tall and only 3 ft. (1 m) wide. Their rocket-like shape makes them ideal columnar trees for creating a visual accent in any garden with limited space. You can grow the skyrocket juniper tree in USDA zones 4 to 9.
9. Columnar Evergreen White Spruce Tree (Picea glauca ‘Pendula’)
The white spruce cultivar ‘Pendula’ is a graceful, slender columnar tree known for its drooping branches that cascade from the main trunk. This skinny evergreen tree features dark green needle leaves that cover the stems, which drop almost vertically. The fast-growing columnar conifer provides a vertical ascent in small garden spaces.
The weeping white spruce ‘Pendula’ grows between 12 and 40 ft. (3.6 – 12 m) tall and 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide. This graceful landscaping tree thrives in USDA zones 2 through 7. While it prefers cooler climates, it can also be grown in warmer regions with sufficient air circulation.
10. Tall Columnar Evergreen Eastern Red Cedar ‘Taylor’ (Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’)
The skinny eastern red cedar cultivar ‘Taylor’ boasts an unmistakable pencil shape, making it suitable for growing in tight spaces. It is a tall, narrow columnar landscape tree with emerald-green semi-soft foliage. The tree’s slender shape gradually tapers to a point at the crown. It is suitable for USDA zones 3 through 9.
The ‘Taylor’ eastern red cedar grows ten times taller than it is wide. It eventually reaches 30 ft. (10 m) tall but doesn’t grow wider than 3 ft. (1 m). When planted en masse, this columnar tree serves as a privacy screen, border, or windbreak. It also works well as a front-of-the-house tree, providing a vertical accent.
11. Japanese Plum Yew ‘Fastigiata’ (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’)
Even in the smallest of gardens, you can find suitable dwarf columnar trees, such as the miniature Japanese yew ‘Fastigiata.’ This miniature columnar tree features long, dark needle leaves arranged radially around upward-growing stems. It exhibits a narrow vertical growth habit and tolerates heat and shade.
The upright Japanese plum yew grows 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall and 3 ft. (1 m) wide. Its compact growth makes it a highly versatile landscaping plant for tight spaces. It works well as an attractive foundation plant, specimen plant, or to create a natural border when planted in groupings.
12. Dragon Lady Holly (Ilex × aquipernyi ‘Meschick’)
Dragon Lady holly, also known as the holly cultivar ‘Meschick,’ is a small evergreen tree with a dense pyramidal crown. It features glossy green spiky foliage, small inconspicuous white flowers, and bright red berries. The jagged leaves and densely-growing foliage make this small, columnar tree ideal as a privacy barrier, impenetrable hedge, or foundation planting for security.
With its compact, upward growth, the Dragon Lady holly reaches 20 ft. (6 m) tall and 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m) wide. Due to its columnar form, this prickly tree fits into narrow locations. Additionally, its shiny green foliage and bright red berries provide winter color.
The Best Deciduous Columnar Trees for Small Gardens
Several deciduous tree species exhibit a columnar growth habit and are suitable for tight spaces in small, compact gardens.
1. Narrow Kindred Spirit Oak Tree (Quercus x warei ‘Nadler’)
The kindred spirit oak tree is a fastigiate columnar oak tree suitable for planting in small gardens. This decorative oak tree cultivar, known as ‘Nadler,’ showcases a slender upright shape, dark green leaves that turn copper-brown to red in the fall, and small acorns.
The compact columnar deciduous tree grows 30 ft. (9 m) tall and 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide, making it suitable for small gardens. It thrives in USDA zones 4 to 7.
2. Slender Silhouette Columnar Sweetgum Tree (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’)
Columnar sweetgum trees are tall and skinny trees that add a stunning vertical accent to landscapes. The slender silhouette sweetgum tree exhibits a distinct columnar shape and deciduous foliage. It somewhat resembles a corndog on a stick, with a slender trunk topped by uniform, columnar foliage. As the tree matures, it retains its pole-like form, making it an excellent choice as a tall border, screen, or to grow along property lines.
The slender silhouette sweetgum tree can grow up to 50 ft. (15 m) tall and 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide. It thrives in full sun within USDA zones 5 to 9.
3. Japanese Flagpole Flowering Cherry Tree (Prunus ‘Amanogawa’)
The slender Japanese flagpole cherry tree is a columnar deciduous tree renowned for its stunning whitish-pink spring flowers. Its outstanding features include fragrant saucer-shaped cherry blossoms, green foliage that turns red and orange, and an attractive columnar shape. It is a popular tree choice for compact gardens.
The Japanese flowering
cherry tree grows between 20 and 25 ft. (6 – 8 m) tall and has a spread of 4 to 8 ft. (1 – 2 m). It can be grown in small to large gardens within USDA zones 6 to 8.
Columnar Trees for Planters
Small trees with fastigiate (vertical) branches rather than horizontal branches are perfect for growing in containers. These columnar trees for planters are ideal for adding greenery to patios or decking areas. Additionally, evergreen trees with a pencil-like growth habit serve as excellent accents at entranceways.
1. Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)
The ‘Smaragd’ arborvitae is one of the most popular columnar trees for large containers. This evergreen tree features densely-growing emerald-green foliage, a compact growth habit, and a pyramidal shape. It is ideal for planters on a small patio or in a narrow container garden. When grown in a container, the landscaping tree retains its compact size.
The semi-dwarf ‘Emerald Green’ American arborvitae grows up to 12 to 14 ft. (3.6 – 4.2 m) tall and 3 ft. (1 m) wide. However, it will remain significantly smaller when grown in a container.
2. Columnar Juniper ‘Gold Cone’ (Juniperus communis ‘Gold Cone’)
The juniper ‘Gold Cone’ is an excellent choice for a columnar container tree in small gardens or compact spaces. It showcases golden yellow foliage in spring that gradually darkens to blue-green in winter. Its columnar growth and small girth make it perfect for growing in a planter.
The Juniper ‘Gold Cone’ grows between 3 and 5 ft. (1 – 1.5 m) tall and can reach up to 2 ft. (0.6 m) in width. Its upright, narrow, columnar growth creates an eye-catching exclamation point in a container. It is also narrow enough to fit into tight spaces beside a front door.
These columnar trees offer a fantastic range of options for landscaping small gardens, regardless of whether you prefer evergreen or deciduous varieties. By incorporating these slender trees, you can create vertical interest and maximize space efficiency, adding beauty and character to your compact outdoor areas.