Do you have an area in your yard that could benefit from a narrow tree? Sometimes customers come to us asking for help with an area in their yard where they'd like to plant a tree, but it's very tight, and there's not a whole lot of room for something with a big, bustling canopy. If a customer needs more privacy for the second story in a small corner of their yard, privacy right at eye level along a fence line, or shade and color in a tight spot, we can help them find a tree narrow enough to fit their needs.
Narrow trees have an upright columnar branching structure. They are better suited for tight areas vs. trees that are wide-spreading. Columnar trees have branches that grow upward and tightly parallel to the trunk, so even as they mature, their branches won't become problematic and overpower the area.
Alternatively, narrow and columnar trees are not only useful in small spaces. They can be an exciting vertical accent in open areas of yards, landscaped garden beds, or along driveways. Also, these trees are often selected by municipalities and urban planners for city parkways, boulevards, medians, and more!
The possibilities are endless!
Before You Finalize Your Plans
Taking into consideration a few simple things will help make selecting a tree easy and headache-free in the long run.
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1. Mature Size: make sure you understand the tree's mature height & spread 2. Amount of space you actually have to plant: a rough measurement of width and length will do 3. Determine your needs: privacy, shade, just something pretty to look at
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Mature Size
It's important to consider the mature size of the tree we'll be planting. Knowing this will help to prevent problems down the road. For example, a tree that gets 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide should not be planted 10 feet from your house! If a tree this large is planted in a small area and left unmanaged, it might be OK for a little while while it's still young. As it grows, the area can become overcrowded quickly.
Planting Area
Something important to consider is the space you have for planting. We'll need to determine whether or not a large ball-and-burlap tree can be planted there. Logistically, when planting, our crew will need an area about 3-4 feet wide in order to dig to plant a tree. This amount of space is needed so our crew can dig a hole large enough to fit the root ball of your new tree, which will be about 3-4 feet deep and wide.
Common Uses for Narrow & Columnar Trees
- Provide privacy
- Block an unsightly view
- Add beauty
- Verticle accent
- Fill in gaps in landscaping
Best Narrow Trees for Chicago Yards →
Surprisingly, there are a lot of narrow tree options out there to consider! We've already done the legwork and narrowed down the top performers in this category.
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 teardrop-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.
Gotta love a columnar maple! This is a fun one! Armstrong Gold® Red Maple has medium-deep green leaves that turn a warm golden orange in the fall, making this a stand-out tree for any home. This is a 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.
Is it an in-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 this tree? Its height is in the medium-tree size range, while its width is in the teeny-tiny range, reaching only 6 FEET WIDE once fully mature. Let that sink in. An Oak tree that ONLY GETS 6 FEET WIDE!
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. Provider of privacy and shade. Beautiful leaves. This is your tree.
The sister seedling of Kindred Spirit® Oak, Regal Prince® Oak is another in-house favorite. This beauty will reach about 25 ft wide at full maturity and 50 ft tall. Regal Prince® Oak is a go-to tree selection that is often used for hedging. When planted in rows, it's useful for privacy and screening, even in tighter locations. It can be planted as a stand-alone tree in the landscape, on the parkway, or along driveways, too! This is an excellent classic columnar oak tree option that will add charm and beauty wherever it's planted.
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. It will be a striking feature in any landscape and a compelling vertical design element in more curated garden spaces.
Musashino Japanese Zelkova has an attractive columnar form with slender, serrated medium-green leaves. Autumn brings an array of fall tones, from yellow to vibrant red-orange. This tree's upright vase shape makes it a smart and exciting choice for tight spaces. Also, it's worth considering for more common areas such as along narrow parkways, driveways, or pathways. Musashino Japanese Zelkova's upright branching offers plenty of clearance for cars and pedestrians.
This is a great option for someone who loves oaks with red fall color but doesn't want one that gets too large once fully mature. 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, or in tight, trickier spots where a wide-spreading oak might overpower your space.
Emerald Green Arborvitae is a reliable arborvitae option. This top-seller grows to have a tall and compact canopy. Emerald Green Arborvitae will grow to be about 4 ft wide and 15 ft tall at full maturity. It's often planted in straight or staggered rows for backyard privacy; this tree also functions well as a stand-alone tree in tight locations. Its evergreen foliage will add color to landscapes year-round.
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.
This columnar oak is often selected by homeowners who are looking for a shade tree that also provides privacy. It's a unique oak tree choice, too, because it has the characteristic of marcescence, which means it holds its leaves well into winter. In spring and summer, it has a rich, lush green canopy. As summer turns into autumn, the leaves turn a rusty red. They'll stay on the branches, holding on tightly even during the cold winter months, fading to a light fawn brown hue- adding color and texture to the winter landscape.
Final thoughts:
If you have a need for a tree, we have a tree for that need! It's really that simple. We have a wide variety of trees suitable for any landscape situation.
One of the best ways to get started with your tree planting project is to email us a picture of where you want to plant. We can take a look and double-check things for you.
If you'd rather take the reins on this project, head to our Design Center where you'll find pro tips for tree selection, tree layouts, and more!
