Best Small Trees for Side of House: A Designer’s Guide: Fast-Track Guide to Choosing Perfect Side-Yard Trees

Choosing the best small trees for the side of your house can dramatically elevate your home’s curb appeal, provide shade, and add visual interest without overpowering your landscape or threatening your foundation. As a designer, I know that the right tree selection hinges not only on aesthetics, but also on practical concerns like root structure, growth habits, and year-round maintenance. Below, I’ll walk you through some of the top choices, design considerations, and inspiring ways to incorporate small trees into your home’s landscape.

Top Small Trees for the Side of Your House

1. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): Renowned for its compact size, delicate foliage, and stunning autumn color. Ideal for partial shade and well-drained soil.
2. Dogwood (Cornus florida): Performance all year with spring blossoms, bold leaves, and attractive bark. Its manageable height and spread work well near foundations.
3. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): Features heart-shaped leaves and brilliant pinkish-purple spring blooms. Its modest root system is perfect for tight spaces.
4. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): Multi-season interest with white flowers, edible berries, and glowing fall foliage.
5. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): A favorite for its vivid summer flowers and smooth, sculptural trunks. Dwarf varieties suit smaller yards perfectly.
6. Dwarf Magnolia (Magnolia stellata or Magnolia 'Little Gem'): Offers fragrant blooms with a compact form, lending a southern charm to your garden borders.
7. Holly (Ilex crenata or Ilex opaca): Evergreen color and texture, with controllable size and festive red berries in winter.

Design Considerations for Side-of-House Plantings

When planning plantings near your home, consider the following:

1. Root Behavior: Opt for trees with non-invasive, shallow roots to avoid disrupting your home’s foundation or underground utilities.
2. Size at Maturity: Select species that reach no more than 15–20 feet tall and wide unless you have ample space to accommodate larger specimens.
3. Light and Soil: Assess sun exposure and soil drainage at the selected location before deciding on a tree type.
4. Architectural Harmony: Use trees to highlight features like bay windows or entrances, create symmetry, or soften the edges of your house.

As a designer, I always recommend mapping your plantings with tools that let you visualize not just the trees themselves, but also how their shapes and shadows interact with your home’s lines. For homeowners who want to see their ideas in immersive detail before digging, utilizing a home designer tool can help evaluate proportions, sunlight, and seasonal changes, ensuring your tree choices look and function exactly as you envision.

Tips 1:

Layer your garden by planting smaller shrubs, perennials, and groundcovers beneath your chosen small trees to create depth and reduce maintenance. Consider color palettes that complement your siding and roof, and use mulch to conserve water and reduce weeds around new trees.

FAQ

Q: What is the best tree to plant next to a house?

A: Japanese Maple, Dogwood, and smaller magnolia varieties are excellent choices due to their manageable size, non-invasive roots, and ornamental value.

Q: How far from the house should I plant a small tree?

A: Generally, plant small trees at least 6–10 feet away from your home to prevent root and branch issues as they mature.

Q: Which small trees provide year-round interest?

A: Serviceberry, Eastern Redbud, and Holly offer multi-season appeal with spring blooms, berries, and striking foliage.

Q: Can I plant a tree near utility lines or driveways?

A: Choose trees labeled as having a compact or non-invasive root system, and always check with your local utility provider before digging.

Q: How do I design a cohesive look for the side of my house?

A: Use a home landscape planning tool to visualize placements, consider repeating elements (like color or form), and integrate trees into broader garden beds with compatible plantings.