20 Small but Gorgeous Trees for Your Front Yard

Whether you have a tiny front yard or a typical suburban lot, you can find a beautiful small tree that will grow to fit the space. There are no landscaping rules that define exactly what a small tree is, but the Arbor Day Foundation describes a small tree as one that grows up to 30 feet tall. That’s slightly taller than the average two-story home, which typically tops out about 25 feet. Small front yard trees usually fit into one of two categories: a naturally small tree or a dwarf version of a taller tree.

When choosing a small tree, consider the basics:

• How much sunlight your yard receives
• Soil type
• How much work you’re willing to put in (raking leaves, pruning or gathering fallen fruit or nuts)

Beyond that, think about what you want in a small front yard tree—flowers, a bird magnet, pollinator potential, fall color, winter structure or edible fruit.

Once you work through that short list, search for the tree of your dreams. It’s out there—like this saucer magnolia, which grows 20 to 25 feet tall and welcomes spring with gorgeous pink blossoms. Find inspiration on our list of 20 small front yard trees.

Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a native tree known for its rich history, towering size (70 to 100 feet) and yellow, tulip-like blooms that open in summer. ‘Little Volunteer’ shrinks that stately beauty to a size perfect for small front yards, growing 25 to 30 feet tall and up to 10 feet wide. Leaves offer an unusual shape and shimmer in the wind. Look for gold fall color and cup-like fruits made of seeds.

Start with a 3- to 5-foot sapling, and with its medium-fast growth, you’ll have a tree 12 feet tall by 6 feet wide in 4 years. A strong pyramidal shape looks elegant in winter, especially when wet snow sticks to branches. In the wild, tulip tree favors moist areas, but grows well in dry areas, too. This is one tree you won’t regret planting. Hardy in Zones 4-9.

In early spring, ‘Centennial Blush’ star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) opens fragrant pale pink flowers that unfurl before leaves, staging a stunning show. Blooms fade to white as they age. Star magnolia flowers best in full sun but tolerates part shade (it actually benefits from shade during the hottest part of the day in warmest zones). Feed plants in spring using a slow release shrub and tree fertilizer with sulfur and/or iron to help green leaves. Plants can have multiple stems. Prune to a tree form by removing lower branches. ‘Centennial Blush’ grows 12 to 18 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

Clouds of double pink blossoms blanket branches of ‘Kwanzan’ (Prunus ‘Kanzan’) flowering cherry in mid- to late spring. Each flower cluster has 30 petals or more, giving the tree a ruffled appearance. Leaves offer deep, glossy green in season, followed by eye-catching red to orange fall color. You’ll get the best growth and flowering with a full sun site (at least six hours of sun daily) and fertile, well-drained soil. If your yard has clay soil, enrich it with compost to give your cherry tree a solid start. Prune in late winter, removing dead, diseased or crossing branches. Keep pruning to a minimum, though, because every branch removed reduces the flower show. Plants grow 15 to 25 feet tall and wide. Hardy in Zones 5-9.

A spring favorite, dogwood (Cornus florida) flowers transform leafless branches into magic wands. Look for varieties of this North American native that unfurl blossoms in shades of white, pink, rose and red. Moist, acidic soil rich in organic matter will keep a dogwood happy, along with full sun to part shade. Protect dogwood from strong afternoon sun, especially in Texas and the Deep South. Maintain a 3- to 4-inch-thick mulch layer beneath the tree’s dripline to keep roots cool and moist. Take care not to damage the trunk with weed trimmers.

Summer leaves offer deep green that fades to burgundy-purple in fall. Flowers give way to bright red fruit that’s a favorite among wildlife, from birds, to chipmunks, to foxes. Dogwood is susceptible to a fungal disease, powdery mildew. Before buying, research to purchase disease-resistant varieties. Many are available that fit the small front yard tree vibe. This classic dogwood grows 15 to 30 feet tall and wide. Hardy in Zones 5-9.

If you want a small front yard tree with four-season interest, look no further than thornless cockspur hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis). White flowers appear in early summer amid deep green leaves that glow orange and red in autumn. Blossoms fade to form small red fruits that linger well into winter, when hungry birds decorate branches for a nibble. This North American native grows 15 to 20 feet tall and wide. In the wild, it’s often found in moist areas, but is equally drought tolerant once established, making it a versatile addition to any landscape. It grows best in full sun, tolerates clay soil and salt and is deer-resistant. Hardy in Zones 4-7.

Count on Seven Son Flower (Heptacodium miconioides) to bring on the color when other plants in the garden are winding down: in late summer and early fall. White flowers cover the tree, beckoning a multitude of summer pollinators and making this tree a great addition to a pollinator or wildlife garden. This particular variety is sold as Temple of Bloom Seven Son Flower. When its white blossoms fade and fall from the tree, they leave behind red bases (see photo, above) that linger for weeks, giving the tree a whole new look. This small tree grows 18 to 20 feet tall by 6 to 10 feet wide. It’s a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant champ. Prune as needed in late winter. Hardy in Zones 5-9.

Native trees often bring strong multi-season interest, and First Editions Standing Ovation Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Obelisk’) is no exception. This beauty fits the description of a small front yard tree, growing just 15 feet high with a 4-foot spread. Serviceberry boasts a heavy load of white blossoms in spring, which fade to form edible berries in June. They make delicious pies and jams, if you’re able to beat the birds to them. Dark green, almost circular leaves don autumn hues of brilliant red and orange.

Winter interest comes courtesy of the branch structure, which holds snow to outline branches. Serviceberry is often multi-trunked, but can be nursery-grown to offer one to three trunks per pot. When shopping look for plants that provide the form you desire for your yard, although you can prune to create the look you want. Give plants a place in full sun for best growth. Hardy in Zones 2-9.

Definitely check out Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) for a small front yard tree. This group of maples boasts many varieties in assorted sizes and shapes. Some are upright; others weep. While you can find miniature types, a common size is 15 to 25 feet tall and wide. Some Japanese maples offer strong leaf color through the year, like this burgundy beauty, or they may simply bring striking fall color. It makes a great front yard tree because the fine leaf texture adds movement and beauty to the landscape, while branches boast strong architectural lines that steal the spotlight in winter. Hardy in Zones 5-8.

In warm, dry regions with mild winters and hot summers—think California, Arizona and Texas—olive trees (Olea europea) offer evergreen color and striking structure. These low-maintenance trees also boast drought tolerance once established as long as you water regularly the first two to three years. Aim for deep watering every seven to 10 days to encourage strong roots. Night lighting makes the most of an olive tree’s strong architectural form and enhances your yard with a nightly show.

Olive trees bear after three to five years, although you may want to skip the mess that fruit can bring. Also, in some areas these trees are considered invasive. To still enjoy them in your landscape, look for fruitless varieties like ‘Wilsonii’ and ‘Swan Hill,’ which grow 25 to 30 feet tall. These varieties produce maybe 100 olives (compared to a regular fruit load of thousands of olives). To eliminate the majority of the fruit, simply spray the tree with a growth retardant, such as Fruitstop, as the tree achieves 30 percent bloom. Never spray newly planted trees; let them grow for a full season before treating. Hardy in Zones 8-11.

A true sentinel of spring, the Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) breaks its winter dormancy with an explosion of pink. Blooms blanket branches before leaves unfurl, so the display is truly breathtaking. Leaves unfurl after flowers fade, revealing a classic heart shape. This small front yard tree grows to 20 to 30 feet tall and 25 to 30 feet wide, forming a spreading vase shape in the landscape. It thrives in full to dappled sun and readily adapts to a wide range of soils, except the permanently wet. Look for weeping varieties, as well as a burgundy leaf variety, ‘Forest Pansy.’ Fall color features golden-yellow. Hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

A lemon tree (Citrus limon) is an incredible landscape tree, providing glossy evergreen leaves, fragrant blooms and tasty fruit. Fruit trees like lemons typically come in several sizes: standard (25 feet tall and 15 feet wide), semi-dwarf (16 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide) and dwarf (6 to 10 feet tall and wide). Choose a full sun site, and amend soil (especially clay) with compost in a ratio of 50:50, compost to native soil.

Always water a lemon tree by applying irrigation directly to soil. Avoid spray heads that splash water on the trunk, which provides an opportunity for diseases. Feed your lemon tree monthly from February to September using a specialized citrus fertilizer, following the instructions on the label regarding rates. Hardy in Zones 9 to 11.

Pink buds open to reveal pure white blossoms on this weeping cherry tree. Sold under the trade name Snow Fountains (Prunus ‘Snofozam’), branches weep to the ground to form a waterfall or fountain of bloom. This 8- to 15-foot-tall cherry occupies a tiny footprint in the garden, growing just 6 to 8 feet wide. Spring blooms fade to form small cherries, inedible for people but a definite bird favorite. Leaves appear following flowers and blaze brightly in autumn with hues of red-gold and orange. Full sun coaxes the strongest flower show, as does moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

Prune in late winter to remove dead, diseased or crossing branches. Prune again after flowering to maintain shape. Use care letting branches drape to the ground after leaves emerge, as this reduces air flow to the trunk, making it more susceptible to pests and diseases. Hardy in Zones 5-8.

As the name suggests, the big attraction on paperbark maple (Acer griseum) is the coppery cinnamon brown bark that peels back in large curls revealing a rose-brown inner bark. The peeling bark stays attached to the trunk, so don’t worry that this tree will give you bark-raking chores. Site this maple in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil, although it does tolerate clay soil. What paperbark maple doesn’t accept is drought. Maintain a 2- to 3-inch-thick mulch layer beneath the dripline to help retain soil moisture, and water during extended dry spells.

The helicopter seeds of this maple are 95 percent non-viable, so you won’t be pulling seedlings from nearby planting beds. Place paperbark maple where you can see the beautiful bark, and don’t hesitate to uplight it at night to showcase the sculptural form. Watch for striking orange to red fall color. This small front yard tree grows 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. Hardy in Zones 4-8.

Discover the tree side of lilacs. Japanese tree lilacs bear creamy white flowers in early summer that fill the air with a sweet perfume. Broad green leaves create good shade. Snowdance (Syringa reticulata ‘Bailnce’) boasts a pest- and disease-free pedigree. Fall color isn’t spectacular, and leaves tend to fall early in autumn. This is a fast growing tree that adds about 12 to 18 inches a year until it reaches 18 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Shelved or tiered branching paired with a strong vase shape makes this tree a traffic stopper when it’s in full bloom. Plant solo or in groups. Hardy in Zones 3 to 7.

‘Vulcan’ is part of a group of magnolias known as the Jury Series. Developed by New Zealand plant breeder Mark Jury, these magnolias deliver big, bold blooms on small trees with fuss-free personalities. ‘Vulcan’ (Magnolia ‘Vulcan’) unfurls deep red, fragrant flowers the size of dinner plates—a whopping 10 to 12 inches across. Prior to this magnolia’s arrival, this ruby-red bloom color had been missing for Zones 6 and colder.

Trees flower at a young age and eventually open hundreds of blooms each spring. Give ‘Vulcan’ a spot in full sun with fertile, well-drained moist soil. If you’re planting a hedgerow or allee of these beauties, space them 8 to 10 feet apart. Expect this small front yard tree to grow 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9.

Eye-catching red blooms up to 10 inches long appear on this small front yard tree in early spring, and hummingbirds flock to them. Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) makes an ideal choice if you’re designing a wildlife habitat or rain garden. This native tree doesn’t offer much in the way of fall color—reddish leaves tend to fall early in the season. Give red buckeye a spot in full sun, except in warmest regions, where it needs protection from harsh afternoon sun. This tree can grow up to 30 feet tall, but usually reaches the 12- to 15-foot range with a similar spread. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested, including seeds (the buckeyes). Hardy in Zones 4-8.

When you add a Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha) to your front yard, you’re planting a piece of history. This Georgia native was first found growing along the Altamaha River in 1765—the only place it ever occurred in a natural planting. It’s been extinct in the wild since 1803; the only way to get it is through a nursery. This front yard is home to a rare century-old Franklin tree, which by the way is named in honor of Ben Franklin. The big draw for this beauty is that it flowers from July to late summer, a time when few other trees bloom. The sweetly fragrant 3-inch-wide blossoms resemble camellia flowers. Fall foliage burns a vivid orange-red even as a few blooms linger on the tree.

To grow Franklin tree you need well-drained rich, acidic soil in full sun. Provide part sun in warmest regions. This tree doesn’t have strong drought tolerance and grows best with regular irrigation. It’s tough to transplant, so choose your planting spot carefully. Franklin tree grows 10 to 25 feet tall and 6 to 15 feet wide. Hardy in Zones 5-8.

A true low maintenance beauty, black cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’) fills early spring scenes with pretty pink blooms. Like all spring flowering trees, this tree’s blossoms provide an important early nectar source for bees. Leaves follow the fragrant flowers, emerging deep purple and maturing to green. In autumn, birds flock to feast on edible, dark red fruit.

Site black cherry plum in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid waterlogged soils. If pruning is necessary (which is unlikely), do it after flowering (from spring to mid-July). Choose a dry, warm day to avoid exposing fresh cuts to an often fatal fungal disease: silver leaf. This small tree grows 15 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. Hardy in Zones 5-8.

Developed in the 1950s as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant breeding program, ‘Jane’ magnolia (Magnolia ‘Jane’) is one of eight magnolia hybrids known as the Little Girls. Of these magnolias, ‘Jane’ flowers the latest, about four weeks later than the others. This late flowering window means this plant is less likely to suffer frost damage to blooms. Choose a full sun planting spot with care, because magnolias dislike being moved.

Shallow roots benefit from a year-round mulch layer (2 to 3 inches thick). The right time to prune is after flowering, but this is rarely needed. ‘Jane’ forms a multi-stemmed small tree, growing 20 to 25 feet tall and up to 20 feet wide. When shopping for a ‘Jane’ magnolia, look for one that’s been grown to a tree form, instead of a multi-stemmed shrub. Hardy in Zones 4 to 8.