12 Fantastic Trees Under 20 Feet Tall

Trees provide structure, scale, and a natural focal point—often becoming the tallest and most defining element in a landscape. While many trees grow to towering heights, there are plenty of beautiful trees under 20 feet tall that are perfectly sized for home gardens, patios, and smaller landscapes.

Many deciduous and broadleaf evergreen garden trees are naturally compact, and thanks to ongoing plant breeding, gardeners now have access to dwarf trees and smaller cultivars of traditionally larger species. Popular examples include Little Gem Evergreen Magnolia and Satomi Dogwood, with new space-saving tree varieties available at our local nurseries and garden centers each year.

Read on to discover 12 of our favorite small trees for Pacific Northwest gardens, all staying under 20 feet tall and offering standout beauty, structure, and seasonal interest without overwhelming your outdoor space. If you’re looking for more evergreen options for your landscape, read our blog on The Best Dwarf Conifers!

7 Ways to Use Small Trees in Your Landscape

Most small garden trees under 20 feet tall thrive in filtered light or dappled shade. In nature, these trees grow as understory plants, protected by the canopy of taller trees above. Because of this, shade and shadows from nearby homes or existing trees aren’t a limitation—they’re often ideal. Small trees are incredibly versatile and can be used in many thoughtful ways throughout the landscape. Consider these ideas:

1. Add height to a small garden by planting a small tree to make it feel more expansive.
2. Use containers to place small trees on patios, decks, or other hardscapes for added shade.
3. Create a shady lawn spot for Summer relaxing with the use of a small tree.
4. Frame walkways or entrances with small trees for added drama.
5. Improve window views by planting small trees near the house, in-ground or in containers.
6. Enhance privacy by using small trees to softly screen neighbors or unsightly views.
7. Echo nearby tree canopies with small trees to visually tie your garden to its surroundings.

1. Maple – Acer sp.

Japanese Maples and Vine Maples are ideal deciduous trees for small gardens or shady spots in larger landscapes. They bring year-round interest—lush green or burgundy foliage in Summer, stunning Fall color, striking bark in Winter, and charming flowers and seed pods in Spring. These maples thrive with protection from harsh afternoon sun and consistent Summer watering. Maple trees are among the most popular plants at our garden centers, and the varieties listed below are also featured in our blog, The 7 Best Maples for the Pacific Northwest:

• Full Moon Japanese Maple (Acer shirasawanum) have ornate, finely cut green foliage and an open, branching habit. Truly a tree for all seasons, electric Fall color and an open, interesting branching habit makes them the ideal specimen tree; grows to 12 feet tall by 8 feet wide.
• Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) has fascinating, rust-brown bark that peels away from smooth stems. Narrow, true-green leaves are borne in threes and turn vibrant orange to red in the Fall; can grow to 25 feet tall by 20 feet wide.
• Vine Maple (Acer circinatum) is native to the Pacific Northwest and is a multi-trunked tree that prefers partial shade or an understory environment. Vine maples have mid-sized, fan-like, light green leaves that turn orange and red in Fall; grows to 20 feet tall x 20 feet wide.

2. Crape Myrtle – Lagerstroemia sp.

Crape Myrtles are drought-tolerant trees available as single-trunk specimens or in graceful multi-trunk forms. Compact cultivars are especially well suited to hot, sunny locations. In late Summer, Lagerstroemia produces showy blooms that carry into Fall, followed by vibrant foliage in shades of red, yellow, orange, and purple. After leaf drop, the tree’s mottled, exfoliating bark provides Winter interest. Note that Crape Myrtles are very late to break dormancy in Spring.

• Double Dynamite Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica ‘Whit X’) features reblooming clusters of bright pink flowers that deepen to cherry red, paired with deep purple foliage that matures to purple-green. Heat tolerant and mildew resistant; grows 8–10 feet tall by 8–12 feet wide.
• Tuscarora Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei) has abundant bright, coral-pink flowers beginning in August and gorgeous ruddy brown layered bark that shows off all Winter; grows to 15 feet tall by 15 feet wide.
• Natchez Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia ‘Natchez’) blooms with a profusion of clear, frilly white flowers set against yellow stamens and features brilliant red-orange Fall color; grows to 20 feet tall by 20 feet wide.

3. Dogwood – Cornus kousa

Dogwoods are cherished for their graceful Spring floral displays and their naturally elegant, low-maintenance form. These timeless trees prefer protection from intense heat and thrive with regular Summer water. Once established, dogwoods require little pruning or upkeep, making them a beloved choice for effortless structure and charm in the landscape.

• Satomi Dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Satomi’) has coral pink flowers that bloom in June. An open-branched, disease-resistant cultivar, ‘Satomi’ produces red fruits and has orange-red Fall color; grows to 20 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
• Venus Dogwood (Cornus x ‘KN30-8’) features exceptionally large white flowers that bloom in late spring to early Summer. This vigorous, disease-resistant selection produces occasional red fruit and develops attractive reddish-purple Fall color; grows to 15 to 20 feet tall and wide.
• Wolf Eyes Dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Wolf Eyes’) features creamy white flowers that bloom above distinctive wavy, variegated foliage. Olive green leaves edged in cream turn a delightful reddish pink in Fall and are followed by red ornamental fruit; grows to 10–20 feet tall and wide.

4. Deciduous Magnolia – Magnolia sp.

Celebrated for their spectacular Spring blooms, deciduous magnolia trees range from 15 to 40 feet tall, making them versatile for many landscapes. Smaller varieties, like those below, are perfect for sunny city gardens, offering a lush green Summer backdrop once their flowers fade.

• Black Tulip Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangiana ‘Jurmag1’) produces a flourish of huge, deep burgundy flowers that bloom on bare branches in early Spring on a slender, multi-branched tree; grows to 15–20 feet tall by 6-10 feet wide.
• Leonard Messel Magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’) is often grown as a small, multi-trunked tree and has fragrant, light pink, star-shaped flowers on bare branches in early Spring; grows 10-15 feet tall by 10-15 feet wide.
• Royal Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’) is an early bloomer with large, fragrant, double white flowers that appear on bare branches in Spring. Open, multi-trunked form with excellent cold and heat tolerance; grows 10–15 feet tall by 10–12 feet wide.

5. Evergreen Magnolia – Magnolia grandiflora

Evergreen Magnolia, also known as Southern Magnolia, features large, glossy green leaves with bronze, fuzzy undersides that last year-round. Its showy, multi-petaled white flowers are beautifully fragrant. Perfect for full-sun locations, it provides reliable year-round screening or coverage. In fact, when we surveyed our staff, Little Gem Magnolia emerged as the clear favorite!

• Baby Grand Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora var. ‘STRgra’) is a small, compact and rounded dwarf tree with has large, creamy white, fragrant flowers from Spring into Summer. Plant as a specimen or grow many trees as a tall screen; grows to 8–10 feet tall by 8-10 feet wide.
• Little Gem Dwarf Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’) is a dwarf form of the classic Southern Magnolia with fragrant, large white flowers bloom sporadically in late Spring through fall. Perfect for blocking unwanted views; grows to 20–25 feet tall by 10–15 feet wide.

6. Flowering Cherry – Prunus serrulata

Flowering Cherries bring pure romance to the garden each Spring, their delicate petals blanketing every branch in a soft, ephemeral display. Among the earliest flowering trees of the season, they signal the arrival of warmer days. Their blossoms thrive in our region’s mild, wet Winters and cool Springs, making them a reliable and enchanting choice for small gardens.

• Akebono Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis ‘Akebono’) bursts into pale-pink blossoms in early Spring. Its graceful, spreading branches create a soft, cloud-like canopy, and charming green foliage fills in as the blooms fade; grows to 20–25 feet tall by 20–25 feet wide.
• First Blush Flowering Cherry (Prunus ‘JFS-KW14’) is an upright, vase-shaped tree with early-blooming, abundant soft pink flowers that appear before the leaves. Heart-shaped foliage adds Summer interest; grows to 15–20 feet tall by 12–15 feet wide.
• Snow Fountains Weeping Cherry (Prunus x ‘Snofozam’) is a cascading tree with arching branches that drape gracefully toward the ground. In Spring, it is is covered in pure white flowers, creating a dramatic fountain of blossoms; reaches 8–10 feet tall by 8–12 feet wide.

7. Redbud – Cercis canadensis

Vibrant pink flowers emerge in Spring along the bare branches of Cercis trees, creating a striking early-season display. Redbuds feature smooth, gray-brown bark with subtle purple undertones and an upright form with strong, horizontal branches. Perfect for front-yard landscapes, they bring cheerful Spring color and, later in the season, heart-shaped leaves that provide gentle shade.

• Flame Thrower Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘NC2016-2’) lights up the garden from Spring to Fall. Soft pink flowers bloom first, then leaves burst in burgundy, gold, and green, often all at once, for a stunning, fiery display; reaches 15-20 feet tall by 15 feet wide.
• Merlot Redbud (Cercis x ‘Merlot’) features rich, dark purple-green heart-shaped leaves in the Summer that follow dark pink flowers in early Spring; grows to 10-12 feet tall by 10-15 feet wide.
• Vanilla Twist Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Vanilla Twist’) charms year-round with its cascading branches that burst with white Spring blooms, followed by heart-shaped, soft green leaves. Even bare in Winter, its twisting form adds elegance; grows to 12 feet tall by 8 feet wide.

8. Crabapple – Malus sp.

Grown for their ornamental value rather than their fruit, Crabapples are excellent trees for small and large gardens alike. Colorful displays of flowers occur each Spring, providing much-needed food for pollinators. Trees are upright, and while some varieties are prone to disease, modern cultivar introductions at our nurseries are more robust and disease-resistant.

• Prairifire Crabapple (Malus ‘Prairifire’) is a popular disease-resistant Crabapple with dark pink-red flowers in early Spring and maroon leaves that turn dark green in Summer and bronze in Fall. Small, maroon fruits last well into Winter; grows 15-20 feet tall by 15-20 feet wide.
• Spring Snow Crabapple (Malus ‘Spring Snow’) is a fruitless Crabapple that blooms in masses of single, fragrant white flowers each Spring. Leaves are bright green and turn yellow in Fall on this exceptionally cold-tolerant variety; grows to 20-25 feet tall by 15-20 feet wide.
• Sparkling Sprite Crabapple (Malus ‘JFS-KW207’) is a compact, disease-resistant crabapple with abundant pale pink flowers in early Spring. Glossy green leaves turn vibrant yellow-orange in Fall, and small red fruits persist into Winter; grows 10–15 feet tall by 10–12 feet wide.

9. Serviceberry – Amelanchier sp.

Hailed for its four full seasons of interest, Amelanchier is native to North America and makes a great garden tree. Clear white blooms on shrubby, upright branches give way to delicious fruits that are perfect for fresh eating or preserves. Though Serviceberry can be prone to disease, plants can easily be set up for success with regular pruning to encourage air flow and by providing regular Summer water in well-draining soil.

• Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’) is a hybrid, upright form with excellent disease resistance, tasty, small fruits in Summer, and gorgeous red and orange Fall color; matures at 15–25 feet tall by 15–25 feet wide.
• Standing Ovation Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Obelisk’) is a narrow, columnar selection with showy white Spring flowers, edible Summer berries, and golden-orange Fall color; grows to 15 feet tall by 4 feet wide.
• Western Service Berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) is a Pacific Northwest native tree prized for its early white Spring flowers, sweet edible berries, and reliable orange-red Fall color; grows to 15–20 feet tall by 10–15 feet wide.

10. Box-Leaf Azara – Azara microphylla

Azara microphylla has tiny, uniform evergreen leaves along thin branches. In January and February, clusters of small, starry yellow flowers bloom tucked amongst the leaves. Azara flowers have a rich vanilla or white chocolate fragrance that fills the Winter garden. Azara microphylla ‘Variegata’ boasts the same look but with small, variegated leaves. Mature plants have gracefully layered branches and can be grown as a multi-trunked tree or can be pruned on a standard to form a classic tree shape; 12- 18 feet tall by 8-12 feet wide at maturity.

11. Japanese Tree Lilac – Syringa reticulata

Grown as either a small tree or large shrub, Japanese Tree Lilacs are a fantastic way to introduce masses of fragrant flowers into the Summer garden. White blooms are produced in large sprays from top to bottom on this low-maintenance tree, which is ideal for mixed hedges or as a stand-alone specimen. Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac produces large plumes of small, white flowers in early Summer are lightly fragrant and pollinator magnets. Grows to 20 feet tall by 15 feet wide.

12. White Fringe Tree – Chionanthus virginicus

An uncommon tree, Fringe Tree has uniquely lovely, showy white flowers produced in late Spring next to bright green, uniform leaves. Fall color on Chionanthus is yellow and gives way to grey, striped bark. Fringe Tree is grown as a specimen tree, and don’t be alarmed if it is slow to leaf out in Spring; grows to 15-25 feet tall by 15-20 feet wide.

Shrubs That Can Be Grown as Small Trees

Want even more flexibility in a compact landscape? Many classic shrubs can be selectively pruned into elegant, multi-trunked small trees. Favorites like Camellia, Smoke Tree, Rose of Sharon, Panicle Hydrangea, Mock Orange, Elderberry, Lilac, and Snowball Viburnum offer the best of both worlds—the fullness of a shrub with the presence of a tree!

All of these versatile plants are available at our local garden centers. If you’re curious which option will work best in your space or how to care for your new tree or shrub, our knowledgeable gardening staff is always happy to help.