“What tree should I plant in my yard?” is perhaps one of the most frequent questions we get. It’s a perfectly legitimate question, but one that can be difficult to answer. Difficult because there are so many choices, and the fact that not every tree will succeed in every landscape situation. It’s a little bit like choosing a companion animal (dog, for example) for your family. There are an endless array of breeds, but not all will be suitable for any given family unit. Similarly, trees must be matched to the site. Spatial, environmental, and aesthetic needs and features top the list of important considerations.
Tree lists like the ones provided are a good first step, but they must be interpreted and understood. So, if you see a species or cultivar that sounds interesting, do some research to find out what the tree needs in terms of space and growing conditions. Remember, tree lists are not like restaurant menus. Not every entrée or tree is suitable for every occasion.
Recommended Small-stature Trees for Iowa
|
Deciduous Small-stature Trees |
Height |
Width |
Growth Habit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acer buergerianum – trident maple | 20-30' | 20-30' | Round-spreading |
| Acer campestre – hedge maple | 35' | 18' | Round-spreading |
| 'JFS-Schichtel2' (Streetside®) | 35' | 18' | Upright |
| Acer griseum – paperbark maple | 20-30' | 20-30' | Upright-spreading |
| 'Ginzam' (Gingerbread™) | 25-30' | 15-20' | Upright-spreading |
| 'Girard’s Hybrid' | 20-30' | 20-30' | Round-spreading |
| Acer pseudosieboldianum × palmatum (Korean × Japanese maple) | |||
| 'IslNW' (North Wind®) | 20' | 15' | Upright-spreading |
| 'IslAJ' (Arctic Jade®) | 20' | 15' | Upright-spreading |
| 'IslID' (Ice Dragon®) | 8' | 10' | Spreading-weeping |
| 'Hasselkus' (Northern Glow®) | 20' | 24' | Upright-spreading |
| Acer triflorum – three-flower maple | 25' | 25' | Upright-spreading |
| Amelanchier spp. – serviceberry | 15-20' | 15-20' | Upright-spreading |
| 'Autumn Brilliance' | 20' | 15' | Upright-spreading |
| 'JFS-Arb' (Spring Flurry®) | 28' | 20' | Upright-oval |
| Carpinus caroliniana – American hornbeam | 20' | 20' | Round-spreading |
| 'CCSQU' (Palisade®) | 30' | 15' | Narrow-oval |
| 'JFS-KW6' (Native Flame®) | 30' | 20' | Upright-oval |
| 'J.N. Upright' (Firespire™) | 20' | 10' | Upright |
| 'J.N. Globe' (Ball O’ Fire™) | 15' | 15' | Round |
| 'Uxbridge' (Rising Fire®) | 30' | 15' | Narrow-oval |
| Carpinus caroliniana × betulus 'Fastigiata' (American × European hornbeam) | |||
| 'Shelby' (Skylark™) | 25' | 10' | Narrow-oval |
| Cercis canadensis – American redbud | 25' | 25' | Spreading |
| Cornus alternifolia – pagoda dogwood | 15' | 20-25' | Spreading |
| Cornus controversa – giant dogwood | 30' | 40' | Spreading |
| 'June Snow-JFS' (June Snow™) | 30' | 40' | Spreading |
| Cornus mas – corneliancherry dogwood | 20' | 20' | Round-spreading |
| 'JFS-PN4Legacy' (Saffron Sentinel®) | 22' | 12' | Narrow-upright |
|
Crataegus viridis – green hawthorn |
|||
|
'Winter King' |
20' | 25' | Wide vase-shaped |
|
Hamamelis ×intermedia – witchhazel |
|||
| 'Arnold Promise' | 20' | 20' | Open-spreading |
|
Hamamelis virginiana – common witchhazel |
|||
| 'Harvest Moon' | 15-18' | 10-12' | Open-spreading |
| Koelreuteria paniculata – golden raintree | Round-spreading | ||
| Maackia amurensis – Amur maackia | 25' | 25' | Wide vase-shaped |
| 'JFS-Schichtel1' (MaacNificent®) | 30' | 22' | Vase-shaped |
| Magnolia × 'Butterflies' | 15-20' | 10-15' | Upright-irregular |
| Magnolia ×loebneri – Loebner magnolia | |||
| 'Merrill' | 25' | 25' | Upright-spreading |
| 'Ruth' (Spring Welcome®) | 20' | 20' | Round-spreading |
| Magnolia ×soulangeana – saucer magnolia | 20-25' | 20-25' | Round-spreading |
|
Malus spp. – crabapple |
|||
| 'Adirondack' | 18' | 12' | Vase-shaped |
| 'JFS-KW218MX' (Snow Crystal®) | 15' | 12' | Pyramidal |
| 'JFS-KW207' (Sparkling Sprite®) | 12' | 12' | Round |
| 'JFS-KW213MX' (Raspberry Spear®) | 20' | 8' | Upright-narrow |
| 'JFS-KW5' (Royal Raindrops®) | 20' | 15' | Upright-spreading |
| 'JFS-KW139MX' (Ruby Dayze®) | 22' | 6' | Upright-spreading |
| 'Orange Crush' | 15' | 15' | Round-spreading |
| 'Shotizam' (Show Time™) | 20-25' | 15-20' | Upright-spreading |
| Ostrya virginiana – American hophornbean | 25' | 20' | Upright-spreading |
| Prunus sargentii – Sargent cherry | |||
| 'JFS-KW58' (Pink Flair®) | 25' | 15' | Upright |
| Syringa reticulata subsp. pekinensis – Pekin lilac | |||
| 'Morton' (China Snow®) | 20' | 20' | Upright-spreading |
| 'SunDak' (Copper Curls®) | 20' | 15' | Upright-spreading |
|
Syringa reticulata – Japanese tree lilac |
|||
| 'Bailnce' (Snowdance™) | 18' | 20' | Round-spreading |
| 'Ivory Silk' | 25' | 15' | Upright |
