Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 17th October 2021, 4:47 pm

Hi,

Thanks for your question its a really good question!

Choosing the right tree for any garden, taking into account its ultimate size and spread is a really smart way to choose plants. You wouldn't believe how many gardeners either avoid trees thinking they will all take over or choose the wrong tree, regret it and then avoid trees forever.  All of which can be avoided if you do a bit of plant research which I'm so glad you're doing!!

If you've read my blog you will already know that every garden should have at least one tree. They offer privacy, a home for wildlife, shade, can reduce flood risks and help provide year-round interest to the garden. There really is a tree for every sized garden so let's take a look at my top 5 to help you get started!

1. Himalayan Birch - Betula pendula 'Fastigata'

The quick answer is this tree will be absolutely fine for a small garden if you choose the fastigiate version. This means it grows tall and thin rather than wide and broad. I've grown this specimen in the Exploding Atom Garden and it is well behaved and adds height without taking up bulk. See the photo below!

Betula utilis var. jacquemontii is also a good choice especially if chosen as a multi stem tree. This reduces the overall vigoir of the growing height, as its spread over many branches so can be useful in small garden. Though it's much wider than the fastigoiate version.

2. Prunus serrula - Tibettan Cherry Tree

A wonderful tree for its bark alone in the winter. This well-behaved tree has the RHS Award of Merit. A multistem or even standard shaped tree will be fine in a smaller plot and it is a real show stopper of a tree with seasons of interest.

3. Amellanchier lamarckii - Snowy mespilus

This is the garden designers secret weapon when it comes to small garden trees. It offers 3 if not 4 seasons of interest, especially in a multi stem format. Berries for the birds in Summer. Autumn colour changing leaves. Then in spring you get gorgeous pink blossom. Beautiful.

4. Malus - Apple trees on the right root stock

Apple trees make wonderful small garden specimens. This is because you can pick the rootstock depending on the vigour and size of the tree you want. Check out my guide to fruit tree grafting to see the different sizes. Fruit trees provide valuable pollen for wildlife and give you back fruit in return and super easy to prune too!

5.Sorbus 'Joseph Rock' - Mountain Ash

The entire Sorbus genus make great trees for smaller gardens. Super fuss-free. Tolerant of all sorts of crappy soils these trees offer light shade which is dappled along with berries for birds. They also have a lot of folklore behind them in keeping away evil spirits. So they can be a good choice is you have a few enemies or have thrown shade at someone recently! 😉

Lastly check out this makeover video where a few of the above have been used. It will help show you them in situ!

https://youtu.be/T53ENaggHTo

Hopefully, that helps you choose the very best tree and thanks for doing your research in advance it will pay dividends!

Happy gardening. Lee

Quote from Guest on 18th October 2021, 5:13 pm

Quote from Lee Garden Ninja on 17th October 2021, 4:47 pm

Hi,

Thanks for your question its a really good question!

Choosing the right tree for any garden, taking into account its ultimate size and spread is a really smart way to choose plants. You wouldn't believe how many gardeners either avoid trees thinking they will all take over or choose the wrong tree, regret it and then avoid trees forever.  All of which can be avoided if you do a bit of plant research which I'm so glad you're doing!!

If you've read my blog you will already know that every garden should have at least one tree. They offer privacy, a home for wildlife, shade, can reduce flood risks and help provide year-round interest to the garden. There really is a tree for every sized garden so let's take a look at my top 5 to help you get started!

1. Himalayan Birch - Betula pendula 'Fastigata'

The quick answer is this tree will be absolutely fine for a small garden if you choose the fastigiate version. This means it grows tall and thin rather than wide and broad. I've grown this specimen in the Exploding Atom Garden and it is well behaved and adds height without taking up bulk. See the photo below!

<img class="lazyload" src="data:;base64," data-src="https://www.gardenninja.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Betula-pendula-Fastigata-Garden-Ninja.jpg" />

Betula utilis var. jacquemontii is also a good choice especially if chosen as a multi stem tree. This reduces the overall vigoir of the growing height, as its spread over many branches so can be useful in small garden. Though it's much wider than the fastigoiate version.

2. Prunus serrula - Tibettan Cherry Tree

A wonderful tree for its bark alone in the winter. This well-behaved tree has the RHS Award of Merit. A multistem or even standard shaped tree will be fine in a smaller plot and it is a real show stopper of a tree with seasons of interest.

<img class="lazyload" src="data:;base64," data-src="https://www.gardenninja.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Prunus-serrula-Garden-Ninja.jpg" />

3. Amellanchier lamarckii - Snowy mespilus

This is the garden designers secret weapon when it comes to small garden trees. It offers 3 if not 4 seasons of interest, especially in a multi stem format. Berries for the birds in Summer. Autumn colour changing leaves. Then in spring you get gorgeous pink blossom. Beautiful.

<img class="lazyload" src="data:;base64," data-src="https://www.gardenninja.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Amelanchier-blossom-garden-ninja.jpeg" />

4. Malus - Apple trees on the right root stock

Apple trees make wonderful small garden specimens. This is because you can pick the rootstock depending on the vigour and size of the tree you want. Check out my guide to fruit tree grafting to see the different sizes. Fruit trees provide valuable pollen for wildlife and give you back fruit in return and super easy to prune too!

<img class="lazyload" src="data:;base64," data-src="https://www.gardenninja.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Young-apple-tree-garden-ninja.jpg" />

5.Sorbus 'Joseph Rock' - Mountain Ash

The entire Sorbus genus make great trees for smaller gardens. Super fuss-free. Tolerant of all sorts of crappy soils these trees offer light shade which is dappled along with berries for birds. They also have a lot of folklore behind them in keeping away evil spirits. So they can be a good choice is you have a few enemies or have thrown shade at someone recently! ?

<img class="lazyload" src="data:;base64," data-src="https://www.gardenninja.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Sorbus-garden-ninja.jpg" />

Lastly check out this makeover video where a few of the above have been used. It will help show you them in situ!

https://youtu.be/T53ENaggHTo

Hopefully, that helps you choose the very best tree and thanks for doing your research in advance it will pay dividends!

Happy gardening. Lee

Hi, thank you for this response, I'm curious with the fastigiate birch, how tall would you say this gets, as some websites are saying 10m while others are saying 20m. 

many thanks

 

Quote from Guest on 22nd November 2021, 9:31 pm

Another couple of small tree options I would suggest would be Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica) for its great Autumn colour and a purple variety of elderflower like Sambucus nigra Black Lace which has great leaf colour for a lot of they year and some nice flowers and berries for the birds.

Happy gardening!

Quote from AndysSoncal321 on 30th July 2024, 10:27 am

If you're looking for a small garden tree that adds charm without taking over, you might want to consider the camphor tree. It’s great for smaller spaces and has a unique fragrance that can really enhance your garden. I've found that it grows well in a variety of soils and can be quite low-maintenance once established. Plus, the leaves stay green all year round, which is a bonus if you're aiming for a lush look regardless of the season. Another good option is the Japanese maple, known for its stunning foliage, but if you're after something evergreen, the camphor trees is a winner.

Quote from jankhan on 17th April 2025, 6:08 am

It's great that you're thinking carefully about the size of your tree and its suitability for your space! The Himalayan Birch, while a beautiful choice, can indeed grow quite tall, but as mentioned, the fastigiate variety of Betula pendula 'Fastigata' could be a perfect solution for you. This version grows upright and narrow, reaching around 10m without taking up too much space. It’s a wonderful option for small gardens or balconies where you want height without bulk. Additionally, the Betula utilis var. jacquemontii is another excellent option, especially in its multi-stem form. This allows for a slightly smaller spread while still providing a striking visual element.

If you're open to exploring other options, here are a few more trees that stay around 10m or less and could work well in your space:

1. Prunus serrula (Tibetan Cherry Tree) - Not only does this tree have stunning, glossy bark that adds winter interest, but it’s well-suited to smaller gardens. It grows compactly, making it a great addition without overwhelming the space.

2. Amelanchier lamarckii (Snowy Mespilus) - This tree is a true all-rounder. It offers spring blossoms, summer berries for the birds, autumn foliage colors, and can thrive as a multi-stem tree, making it perfect for smaller gardens where you want year-round interest.

Each of these trees brings its own unique charm and will grow well in the north-west of England. They all provide height, structure, and beauty without growing too large or spreading too widely.