11 Small Trees You Can Plant in Fall

Trees are not reserved for large gardens. In fact, they’re an essential component of any garden, no matter the size. They provide structure, seasonal interest, and even flowers or fruit. If you pick the right trees, they do all this while staying a manageable size for most gardeners.

Fall is the perfect time to plant for a few reasons, but most relate to root growth. Cool temperatures and reliable moisture give roots months to establish before they have to support new growth in spring. That means faster establishment and better performance compared to spring-planted trees that immediately face summer stress.

Plant these small trees in fall for all the benefits trees bring without the extensive maintenance or specialized care.

Arborvitae

These evergreen conifers grow naturally into neat, upright shapes ideal for lining driveways or paths in the garden. While there are several varieties that can grow to impressive heights, many stay compact without any pruning or excessive maintenance.

Different varieties give you different color options, too. Most are a deep green, but some have brighter hues or a blue tinge to suit whatever space you’re working with. The leaves create dense coverage that's perfect for living privacy screens.

Plant these small trees pretty much anywhere, and they'll adapt to whatever soil you've got. I particularly like them for creating garden rooms without having to constantly trim and shape like you would higher-maintenance species like Buxus.

Crape Myrtle

A lot of trees basically give up flowering in the heat after the spring flush. Luckily, that’s not the case for crape myrtles. These trees continue to produce flower clusters throughout the hottest months (usually when you need color in the garden the most).

The flowers come in so many hues and last for weeks at a time. Once they're done, you also get interesting bark that provides fall and winter character, plus fall foliage in shades of orange and red.

Choose dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties that stay naturally compact rather than relying on pruning of larger types to manage size. Or you can plant in containers to restrict root growth naturally, depending on the space you want to fill.

Dwarf Lemon

You don’t have to restrict yourself to ornamental small trees. It’s possible to grow fruiting ones, too. Dwarf lemon varieties, such as ‘Meyer’, are well-suited for warmer climates or even cooler ones, provided you're willing to use containers and offer winter protection.

The best part isn't even the lemons (though they're certainly nice). You can also look forward to stunning foliage and fragrant white flowers that look good even when the tree is not producing.

Zones 9-11 can grow these outdoors year-round. Zones 7-8 can succeed with containers that get moved to protection during freezes. Give them a position in full sun if you want plenty of lemons to harvest.

Dwarf Magnolia

If you love the idea of massive magnolia flowers but don't have space for a towering tree over 40 feet (or even taller, depending on the variety), dwarf varieties like ‘Little Gem’ solve that problem perfectly. They produce the classic large, fragrant blooms while staying relatively small. I have both of mine in containers to keep them extra compact.

Fall planting gives them time to settle in before that spring show begins. The flowers appear before the leaves in early spring, something you’re bound to look forward to each year. Just make sure to position them away from strong winds, as the large flowers can be damaged by harsh weather.

Eastern Redbud

If you want to plant a native small tree this fall, look no further than Eastern redbud. Like magnolias, the flowers appear before any leaves show up, and they’re great for local wildlife.

What I really appreciate about redbuds is how adaptable they are. They handle most conditions without complaint, although they grow better in sunny spots with well-draining soil. The leaves change color in fall, extending their ornamental value far beyond flowering.

These trees have a naturally irregular, somewhat horizontal branching pattern that looks great in more casual landscape settings where formal trees would seem out of place. You can trim them to keep them compact, but that’s usually not needed.

Flowering Dogwood

The large white or pink "flowers" on this tree are actually bracts, and they also appear before the leaves (I’m seeing a trend here). The real flowers are in the center, but the bracts are what make them so eye-catching.

You’ll have even more to look forward to in fall. These small trees have colorful leaves, followed by bright red berries that attract birds. They prefer partial shade and consistent moisture, making them ideal for woodland gardens or areas where other flowering trees struggle with excessive sun. You can plant these small trees in zones 5-9, though they really perform best in areas with cooler summers.

Fringe Tree

Another native, this small tree proves that unique doesn't have to mean high-maintenance. The drooping clusters of fragrant white flowers almost look like cotton candy hanging from the branches, appearing in late spring.

The oval leaves turn bright yellow in fall, and if you have a female tree, you'll get small fruits that birds appreciate too. Growth is slow, but they eventually reach a manageable 15 to 20 feet tall. Fringe tree handles various soil types and both sun and partial shade, making it one of the more adaptable options on this list.

Plant these small trees in the fall to help them establish strong root foundations. The unusual flowers make great conversation pieces and photograph beautifully during their brief but spectacular bloom period.

Japanese Maple

Japanese maples are probably the most diverse group of small trees you can grow. Leaf shapes range from delicate and lacy to broad and rounded. Colors include green, red, purple, and variegated combinations. You could have a whole garden of Japanese maples and still have plenty of variety to look at.

When it comes to planting small trees, stick to options that stay comfortably under 15 feet. Fall color is typically great regardless of which variety you choose. The key is selecting types suited to your climate and providing consistent moisture during the establishment period.

Olive

Although it’s not usually the first tree to come to mind in US gardens, those in warmer climates with Mediterranean-style gardens should definitely consider planting these small trees. With modern cold-hardy varieties, you can even grow in colder climates than you might expect.

Container culture works well for these borderline climates, as you can move trees to protected areas during severe cold snaps. Keep in mind that moving trees is not easy, so try to place them in a protected area from the start if you can.

Don't plant these expecting significant olive harvests unless you have multiple varieties for cross-pollination. But I quite like them for the ornamental value alone.

Pomegranate

Another Mediterranean beauty, pomegranates also remain a manageable size, especially in containers. Bright orange-red flowers bloom over an extended period in summer, followed by those distinctive fruits that ripen in fall. Even if you never get a single pomegranate, the flowers alone make these trees worthwhile.

These trees actually prefer lean soil conditions and handle drought well once established, making them good choices for low-maintenance landscapes.

Smoketree

The oval leaves of this fascinating tree emerge in spring and maintain dramatic coloring through summer heat. The flowers are more interesting: fluffy, smoke-like clusters that give the tree its common name. They appear in early summer and add textural interest to the garden.

Plant these small trees in fall in zones 4 and above. Don’t worry about poor soil and drought conditions. They're used to challenging sites where other ornamental trees might struggle, as they adapt quickly to their surrounding environment.