Our Favorite Small Trees For Colorado

"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago," Les Brown.

When choosing a tree, consider how much space it will have when fully grown.  How far from the sidewalk, house, fence and other trees will it be?  Aim to create diversity on your street and plant a different species that your neighbor.  Remember when Dutch Elm Disease rolled through and killed hundreds of trees?  Diversity is healthy, welcome and beautiful.  Come talk to our nursery experts and we'll help you find the perfect tree for your property.

Many urban landscapes can't accommodate well-known and loved large trees due to power lines, homes and space.  Luckily there are many small trees suitable for city-dwellers that still offer abundant shade. 

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry
Height: 15-20 feet
Spread: 10-15 feet
Zone 3

Upright shape and grows quickly.  White blossoms in spring followed by purple/black colored fruit that attracts birds.  Dark green foliage that turn brilliant red in the fall.  Low maintenance, requires moderate water and will thrive in full sun or partial shade.

Russian Hawthorne
Height: 15-25 feet
Spread: 20-25 feet
Zone 3

Low water needs and tolerates drought and compacted soil. Foliage is medium-green turning to yellow in the fall.  White flowers appear in late spring and dark red berries appear in August. Bark is golden and exfoliating.  The twisting branches make it attractive in winter.

Leprechaun Ash
Height: 15-20 feet
Spread: 12-15 feet
Zone 3

Dwarf form of the larger Green Ash.  Foliage turns yellow in fall.  Dense, compact growth suitable for underneath powerlines and other overhead obstacles.  Early spring blooms are seedless and inconspicuous.  Grows best in full or partial sun and well-drained soil. 

Summer Sprite Linden
Height: 15-20 feet
Spread: 10-15 feet
Zone 4

Very fragrant, small yellow-green flowers.  Well-shaped tree that is tolerant of heavy clay soil and moderate drought.  Great choice for shading a small area.  Does not like reflected heat.

Hot Wings Maple
Height: 20-25 feet
Spread: 10-12 feet
Zone 3

Dark green foliage will fall color that ranges from scarlet to orange/yellow.  A sturdy tree that tolerants slight drought and alkaline soils.  Midsummer, bright red samaras appear, giving the tree its name.

May Day Tree
Height: 15-25 feet
Spread: 15-25 feet
Zone 3

Low branches and compact, round canopy.  Early to bloom and leaf out in spring.  Moderate water needs and tolerates most soil conditions.  Foliage is bright green and turns too yellow-copper in fall.

Ivory Silk Tree Lilac
Height: 20-25 feet
Spread: 15-20 feet
Zone 4

Slow-growing flowering tree with rounded growth.  White flower clusters in late spring that are very fragrant.  Is tolerant of many soil conditions.  Fall color is yellow or green.