Are you a city dweller? Do you live on a small lot? Or do you have a tight spot in your yard that needs a tree? Yes, yes, and yes again? Our list of the best narrow and columnar trees has got you covered.
Narrow and columnar trees have unique branching structures. Branches tend to grow upward and more tightly together. This growth habit means tighter branching and more possibilities to be planted in tight spots.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of options out there to consider. Choose from Shade Trees, Ornamental & Flowering Trees, and Evergreen Trees.
We've already done the leg work and narrowed down your options for you (see what we did there?).
Does this tree top our list? Obviously. Is it a house fav? Totally. Let's hand it over to Kindred Spirit Oak and call it a day. Come on, what's not to LOVE about Kindred Spirit Oak? This narrow shade tree grows to 6 ft wide. Let that sink in.
All while growing to 30 ft tall. Not too wide, not too tall. Baby Bear says, "This tree is just right." Check, check, and check. Tight spot. Shade needed. Beautiful leaves. This is your tree.
Swedish Columnar Aspen is very tall and narrow, and its branching structure is almost parallel to its trunk. This tree has dramatic transitioning foliage, going from bronze-red in spring to green in the summer and then turning a range of yellow-red in the fall. Along with the tree's beautiful fall color, the leaves will add music to your ears with their unique rustling sound. Plant it as a statement in your yard where an accent of texture and color is needed. It can squeeze in just about anywhere! Mature spread, 10 ft wide and 40 ft tall.
Hedge tree? Totally. Stunning shade tree? Yes, that too! Check out this tree's beautiful dark green serrated leaves. They turn yellow-gold in the fall. Its mature shape is almost diamond-like, upright oval to pyramidal, reaching about 25 ft wide and about 35 ft tall. This tree can be planted in tight spots and is commonly manicured to fit its placement in the landscape.
Perhaps you want to plant a shade tree on your parkway, but you're limited on space. Consider this tree, and it may just be the answer to your problems. Beacon Oak will thrive in any tight spot but does incredibly well on the parkway. Plant it, too, for privacy and screening. Beacon Oak will be 15 ft wide and 40 ft tall at full maturity.
This Bur Oak variety grows to 25 ft wide and 55 ft tall. Urban Pinnacle Oak gives the feeling of being a classic towering shade tree without being too wide-spreading. Instead of a round canopy, it has an upright oval form with more of a columnar branching structure, with slightly more open branching than other columnar oaks. Urban Pinnacle Oak is a top planting choice for tight urban landscapes due to its narrow spread. Overall this is a great shade tree for small city lots and parkways!
Gotta love a columnar maple! This is a fun one— Armstrong Gold's unique appearance and medium-deep green summer leaves that turn golden orange in the fall make this a stand-out tree for any home. This is an alternative choice for homeowners who want that classic maple vibe without taking up as much space. Armstrong Gold's narrow form grows to about 12 ft wide and 40 ft tall. This tightly branched tree's compact canopy makes it a top selection for challenging spaces where shade and beauty are needed.
This sturdy columnar oak grows to 15 ft wide and 45 ft tall. Aside from its narrow spread, this is our favorite part— dark green leaves transition to a dark rusty red in the fall. Streetspire Oak makes a significant impact on the landscape. This striking oak can be planted in open areas of the landscape, to tight, trickier spots where an otherwise wide-spreading oak might overpower your space.
Oh boy! Honeylocust in the fall... man, oh man! That gold fall color is it. This tree is not like the others. When we think of a Honeylocust tree, we think of a round canopy with wide-spreading branches, tiny green leaves that turn yellow-gold in the fall, and that sweet dappled shade. While it does have a few of those characteristics, it does NOT have those wide-spreading branches. Street Keeper is all in the name, built for the street. This tough, shade tree has narrow, strong, upright branching. This characteristic makes it ideal for those tight spots where a beautiful shade tree is needed. Plant it in your yard, on the parkway, or anywhere you need shade. Mature spread, 20 ft wide and 45 ft tall.
Musashino Japanese Zelkova has an attractive columnar form with slender, serrated medium-green leaves. Autumn brings an array of fall tones, from yellow to rusty red-orange. This tree's upright vase shape makes it a smart choice for tight spaces. It can be an exciting addition to an otherwise mundane location. Consider this tree for narrow parkways, driveways, or pathways. Musashino Japanese Zelkova's upright branching offers enough clearance for cars and pedestrians. Mature spread, 15 ft wide and about 45 ft tall at full maturity.
Sister seedling of Kindred Spirit Oak. Regal Prince Oak will reach about 25 ft wide at full maturity and 50 ft tall. Regal Prince Oak is often used for hedging, planted in rows for privacy and screening, and even in tighter locations. It can get planted as a stand-alone tree in the landscape or on the parkway. This is an excellent classic columnar oak tree option.
Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac →
Not only is this tree versatile, but it is also an attractive addition to any landscape. Plant Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac in landscape beds, near patios, the front of the house, or anywhere in the yard. This tree is narrow, reaching only 15 ft wide at full maturity, and about 25 ft tall. Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac is an exotic addition to any yard. Its fragrant plumes of creamy white flowers are a sweet surprise in late spring. This tree is often manicured to fit the landscape where it's been planted.
Cleveland Select Ornamental Pear →
Shade tree, meet flowering tree! This tree offers that classic, traditional appeal with its white flowers and red fall color. Often planted where it can be seen showing off in the spring, in front yards, parkways, or any open area of the yard. Its narrow spread sets it apart from other ornamental pears allowing it to be planted in tighter locations. Cleveland Select's striking pyramidal form reaches about 20 ft wide and grows to about 40 ft tall.
Most crabapples are known for their round canopies. This tree is not that. It only grows to about 8 ft wide while stretching its branches up to 20 ft tall. Its upright oval shape, bright pinkish-purple flowers, and unique leaves are all striking features, making it an outstanding accent tree. You can pop this tree in landscape beds around the house or in any tight location.
Firespire® American Hornbeam →
This small tree has an oval to upright form that reaches about 10 ft wide while growing to 20 ft tall. It is often used for hedging and is striking as a stand-alone tree. Its red-orange autumn foliage is the POP of color your yard needs. Its fall color contrasts beautifully against its smooth blueish-grey bark!
Red Jewel White Flowering Crabapple →
This tree is an excellent choice for mixing into landscape bed plantings, near a patio, or anywhere an accent is needed in a tight spot. Red Jewel's spread is 12 ft wide and reaches 15 ft tall. Red Jewel Crabapple puts on quite the show in spring with its beautiful white flowers that coat branches in early spring. Its small red fruit holds throughout fall and winter and adds a splash of color long after it has lost its leaves.
This tree's Romanesque pillar-like form is ideal for accentuating entryways and gardens. Taylor Juniper will keep that beautiful bluish-evergreen foliage throughout all seasons. This slender tree grows to about 3 ft wide and 18 ft tall once fully mature.
Emerald Green Arborvitae is a tall and compact arborvitae variety, and it's a top seller. This tree only grows to about 4 ft wide while reaching 15 ft tall at full maturity. Often planted in a hedge row for privacy, in straight or staggered rows. However, it functions well as a stand-alone tree in tight locations. Its bright evergreen foliage will add color to an otherwise stark winter landscape.
There are many narrow to columnar tree options out there to consider. The list doesn't end here. Head to our website for our most current availability. Find THE tree you're looking for today!
