Are There Dwarf Evergreen Trees I Can Add to My Yard?

Evergreen trees are beloved by many people. They are special as they keep their leaves throughout the year. Their leaves do not change color, leaving the tree to look both plentiful and green no matter what season it is. That’s why so many people wish to have their very own evergreen tree displayed in their yards. But, not everyone can fit a full-grown evergreen on their property.

Thankfully, there are now smaller options available, even dwarf evergreen trees!

If you have always wanted to add an evergreen tree to your yard, you can now make that dream a reality as these dwarf evergreen trees are perfect for almost any yard, no matter how much space you have available.

Here are some recommended options if a dwarf evergreen is the one for you:

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

The Dwarf Alberta Spruce will grow to a maximum 12 feet tall with most falling between 10 to 12 feet tall and 7 to 10 feet wide. They do, however, grow extremely slow at just 2 to 4 inches each year. Additionally, since the needles are quite densely packed they give the Dwarf Albert Spruce a fuzzy look. While these trees rarely produce pine cones, their green needles give off a nice aroma.

With its classic Christmas tree shape, it has become a pretty popular choice for plantings all over the U.S. In fact, it is one of the most recognizable trees used in landscaping. You have likely noticed two Dwarf Albert Spruces marking the entryway to a house, for example, giving it a more formal look.

These trees are also popular as they do not require much care. Since they grow very slowly, they hardly ever need to be pruned. They also thrive in a climate of cool summers and struggle in areas that have high heat and humidity, making this a good choice if you are looking to plant dwarf evergreen trees here in the Pacific Northwest.

Hinoki Cypress

There are a few different types of Hinoki Cypress trees. One of the more popular ones is the Slender Hinoki Cypress which is a bit taller than the Dwarf Alberta Spruce, but more compact. These trees reach a maximum of 15 feet tall at their maturity but only grow to about 5 feet wide. As this may still be a bit too tall for some yards, there is also the Nana Gracilis trees, which only reach about 9 feet at maturity.

One distinct feature that makes the Hinoki Cypress tree stand out is that it has arching branches and a nodding top. The branches droop at their tips, too. These elements give the tree a soft appearance. Additionally, in younger trees, the branches look as though they are going in all different directions, giving it an even more profound look.

Its needles are scale-lake and, similar to the Dwarf Alberta Spruce, these trees also tend to be found in pairs adding beautifully symmetry to your landscape. They, however, cannot be planted under any trees that shed leaves as the leaves will get caught in the needles of the Hinoki Cypress tree.

As you may have speculated, this tree does need a bit of upkeep and will require pruning.

Japanese White Pines

If the above two plants are still a bit too tall for you, the Japanese White Pines will fix that. These trees tend to grow to only about 3 feet tall and less than 2 feet wide. This size is perfect for smaller yards.

One distinct feature of these trees is that the needles are blue-green in color. Between this beautiful color and their dense branches, Japanese White Pines are one of the more aesthetically pleasing dwarf trees. People who choose this type of dwarf evergreen tree tend to plant it in front of a light-colored background, such as a plain wall or a fence, to further showcase the beautiful color of the tree.

For best growth, this tree should be planted in full sun. Due to its extremely slow growth, it will need little, if any, pruning. Since it does grow slow and not to a large height, these trees are perfect to put in smaller spaces such as in the beds in your yard and complementary planters by your front door.

Mugo Pines

These trees come in quite the variety, each with different shapes and characteristics. For instance, some have a broad spread shape whereas others are more of a pyramid. The most popular type of dwarf Mugo Pine is referred to as “Mops” and only reaches about 3 to 5 feet in height at maturity. This type does have a broad spread, reaching about 10 feet wide. Because of this feature, most people plant this tree as a low hedge or as a groundcover.

In order to cultivate for best growth, these trees should be in partial shade to full sun. They are not compatible in areas that are known for hot summer making this another great choice to plant here in the Pacific Northwest. And, the deep green color of the needles looks great year round.

“Mops” trees are also simple to care for. You can shape them as you desire, and if the tree does become larger than you would have originally liked, you can remove part of the new needles that will arrive come spring. This will help slow the growth rate of the tree even more.

Dwarf Austrian Pine

Named Hornibrookiana, this Dwarf Austrian Pine reaches anywhere between 4 to 10 feet at its maximum height. It is a round tree as it also reaches between 4 to 10 feet in width at its maturity. Also, the growth rate is not too fast as it only grows about 6 inches a year, both in terms of height and width.

These trees are quite compact and have more of a shrubby look to them. They consist of rounded pines that have long needles that are a dark green color. These trees are another great choice if you are looking to fill a smaller space rather than a larger yard.

To reach maximum growth, these trees need to be planted in full sun.

Whether the yard you are looking to plant in is big or small, there is a dwarf evergreen tree that will definitely fit there! Bring that beautiful aroma and aesthetic to your yard by choosing any of the above types of trees. And if you need help caring for your new trees, reach out to our team at Mr. Tree. We can’t wait to see how you’ve made great use of your small space!