Dwarf Trees

Dwarf trees may be the answer to your small-space problem. These trees offer many of the same attributes as their larger cousins, but in a space-saving package. Read on to find out about the different types of smaller trees that can enhance your landscape.

Dwarf citrus trees.

There is a size difference in dwarf trees compared to standard-sized trees. They are usually under 10 feet tall, whereas their standard counterparts can reach heights of 20 to 40 feet tall. The advantage of having these smaller trees include:

• They are smaller and therefore easier to prune and care for.
• They make it easier for gardeners to harvest fruit.
• They take up a smaller area in the garden or lawn, making them perfect in areas where space is at a premium.

Many gardeners would love to have fruit trees, but they just don’t have the space for standard-sized trees. Luckily, there are now many dwarf fruit trees on the market that produce the same sized fruit found on standard trees, but have a much smaller footprint. Examples of dwarf fruit trees available include:

• Apple – Cortland, Enterprise, Goldrush, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp
• Pear – Beurre Bosc, Bartlett
• Cherry – Balaton Pie Cherry, Blackgold Sweet Cherry
• Plum – Burbank Elephant Heart, Bubblegum Plum,
• Peach – Elberta, Belle of Georgia, Blushingstar Peach
• Lemon – Meyer Lemon
• Lime – Kaffir Lime
• Oranges – Moro Blood Orange, Washington Navel, Bouquet de Fleur Sour Orange
• Mandarins – Gold Nugget, Murcott Mandarin, Dancy Tangarine
• Grapefruit – Rio Red, Chinese, Melogold

In order to maintain their size, pruning is recommended in the spring each year. This will help your tree maintain its proportions and ensure lots of beautiful fruit in the summer.

Nothing adds curb appeal like a beautiful ornamental tree. With so many beautiful varieties to choose from it may be difficult to just plant one or two. It is always important to choose dwarf ornamental trees that will do well in your locale’s hardiness zone. Other considerations should include whether you want a flowering tree or shade tree and whether you mind a little lawn debris that may result. Most dwarf ornamental trees fall in the 10-foot or shorter category, but you should still give them plenty of room away from buildings and fences for optimum growth.

The following dwarf ornamental trees make beautiful additions to your home’s landscape:

• Japanese Maple
• Alberta Spruce
• Weeping Redbud
• Tina Crabapple
• China Girl Dogwood
• Stewartia
• Persian Ironwood
• Franklin Tree
• Fir – Meyer’s Fir, Korean Fir, Balsam
• Chase Manhattan Dwarf Ginkgo
• Dwarf Larch
• Weeping Youngii Birch

While smaller specimen trees add interest to any landscape, it is important to not get carried away and plant too many. A lawn full of tiny trees may detract from your home instead of enhancing it. Overcrowding can also cause problems for your trees, as they will have to compete with each other for sunlight and nutrients from the soil.

Semi-dwarf trees are slightly taller than their dwarf counterparts. They usually grow between 10 and 15 feet tall. These trees are also good for individuals with a small area in which to grow trees. There are many fruit and ornamental trees that fall within this category.

Miniature trees are usually under four feet tall and can be grown in pots. These types of trees are perfect for people who only have a small patio space for their trees or need to bring the plants indoors for the winter. It is important to remember that many miniature trees not only need a warm house to live in, but they also need the right level of humidity and sunlight in order to thrive in the winter months. This is especially important for miniature citrus trees.

One of the easiest ways to buy dwarf trees for your property is to visit a local nursery. There you will find trees that are perfect for your hardiness zone and you will be able to ask a nursery employee how to properly care for your tree. Many nurseries will also prune the trees before you take them home in the spring.

Dwarf trees can easily be found on the Internet as well. Simply enter the term “dwarf ornamental tree” or “dwarf fruit tree” in your browser’s search box for a wide selection of online tree merchants. They will carefully package and ship your trees so they arrive at the optimum time for planting them in the spring. Then all you’ll have to do is plant your trees and enjoy!

Looking for information about shrubs and vines? Check out the following slideshows:

Evergreen Shrubs

Fruits that Grow on Vines

• Winter Squash Plants Photos
• Sugar Maple Tree Picture
• What Plants Grow in Winter

• Gardenia Plant Care
• Jasmine
• How to Build an Outdoor Fireplace
• Honeysuckle
• Maple Tree Diseases

• Cornus Kousa
• Peach
• Growing Fruit Trees and Berries
• Miniature Fruit Tree
• Tree Planting Guide