Native Trees & Shrubs for Smaller Urban Yards
Choosing native plants for smaller urban lots is a wonderful way to support biodiversity, add year-round interest and create a welcoming landscape for wildlife. The key is selecting plants that suit the space available, both now and as they mature.
Small trees and larger shrubs can provide spring flowers, fruit, autumn colour, screening and habitat without the scale of a full-sized canopy tree. Explore the two groups below to find options for your yard.
Small Trees for Small Urban Lots
Smaller trees offer vertical interest, shade, seasonal colour and wildlife value. Check both mature height and spread before planting.
| Plant | Mature size | Characteristics & benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Alleghany / Smooth ServiceberryAmelanchier laevis | Up to 10 m tall and wide | Multi-stemmed; white spring flowers and edible berries support pollinators and birds. |
| American Mountain AshSorbus americana | 6–9 m tall; 3–6 m wide | White spring flowers and orange-red fall berries support pollinators and birds. |
| Blue Beech (Ironwood)Carpinus caroliniana | 6–10 m tall; 6–9 m wide | Smooth grey bark and striking fall colour; shade tolerant. |
| Dwarf Chinquapin OakQuercus prinoides | 3–6 m tall and wide | Compact oak with acorns valuable to wildlife. |
| Dwarf HackberryCeltis tenuifolia | Usually 3–4.5 m tall and wide; sometimes up to 10 m tall | Drought tolerant; produces small fruit for birds. |
| Eastern Hop TreePtelea trifoliata | Up to 8 m tall | Fragrant flowers and papery seed clusters; attracts butterflies. |
| Eastern RedbudCercis canadensis | 6–9 m tall and wide | Vibrant pink spring flowers and heart-shaped leaves; grows in sun to shade. |
| Eastern White CedarThuja occidentalis | 12–15 m tall | Dense evergreen suited to hedges and screening; allow enough space for its mature size. |
| HawthornCrataegus spp. | 6–9 m tall and wide | Thorny small tree with white flowers and red fruits supporting pollinators and birds. |
| Hop HornbeamOstrya virginiana | 8–12 m tall | Slow growing and shade tolerant, with hop-like fruit and yellow fall foliage. |
| Pin CherryPrunus pensylvanica | Up to 12 m tall; 3–6 m wide | Fast growing, with red cherries enjoyed by birds. |
| Striped MapleAcer pensylvanicum | Up to 10 m tall | Distinctive bark and large leaves; best in shade or part shade. |
Large Shrubs in Place of Trees
Larger shrubs and multi-stemmed plants can add structure, privacy and habitat while fitting into spaces where a conventional tree may be too large.
| Plant | Mature size | Characteristics & benefits |
|---|---|---|
| American HazelnutCorylus americana | 2–3 m tall | Medium to large, often multi-stemmed shrub; nuts favour wildlife. |
| ArrowwoodViburnum dentatum | Up to 3 m tall | Dense, rounded shrub with spring white flowers; useful for hedging. |
| Black ElderberrySambucus canadensis | About 3 m tall | Clusters of dark berries favoured by birds. |
| BladdernutStaphylea trifolia | Up to 6 m tall | Prefers shade or part shade; fragrant spring flowers and hanging, bladder-like seed pods that persist into winter. |
| ChokecherryPrunus virginiana | 4–9 m tall | White spring flowers and dark red fruit; may grow as a small tree or form thickets. |
| Flowering DogwoodCornus florida | Up to 6 m tall | Showy spring blooms; naturally occurs in Ontario’s Carolinian Zone. |
| Highbush CranberryViburnum trilobum | 2–4 m tall and wide | Red berries persist into winter; prefers moist soil and can be used for hedging. |
| NannyberryViburnum lentago | About 4 m tall; 3–4 m wide | Multi-stemmed; white flowers, dark blue-black berries and vivid fall foliage; useful for hedging. |
| NinebarkPhysocarpus opulifolius | About 2.5 m tall and wide | Multi-stemmed shrub with white flowers, reddish seed capsules and pollinator value; useful for hedging. |
| Pagoda DogwoodCornus alternifolia | 4–6 m tall and wide | Graceful tiered branches, creamy flowers and blue-black fruits; grows in sun to shade. |
| Red Osier DogwoodCornus sericea | 2–3 m tall and wide | Bright red winter stems; adaptable to moist or dry soils; useful for hedging and erosion control. |
| Shadblow ServiceberryAmelanchier canadensis | 4–6 m tall; 3–4 m wide | Early white spring flowers and sweet blue-black fruit; also suitable as a small tree. |
| SpicebushLindera benzoin | Up to 3 m tall | Early yellow flowers, aromatic foliage and red berries; shade tolerant, or sun with moist, well-drained soil. |
| Staghorn SumacRhus typhina | Up to 6 m tall | Red fall foliage and fuzzy fruit clusters; tolerant of poor soils but spreads by underground stems to form colonies. |
| WinterberryIlex verticillata | Up to 3.5 m tall | Deciduous holly with persistent red berries; requires consistently moist soil and both male and female plants for fruit. |
| Wild Plums (Canada and American Plum)Prunus nigra; Prunus americana | 6–10 m tall | Deciduous shrubs or small trees with early white blossoms and fruit for wildlife. |
| Witch HazelHamamelis virginiana | About 3.5 m tall and wide | Fragrant yellow flowers bloom in fall. |
A note about mature size: Heights and spreads are approximate and will vary with growing conditions. Some species spread by suckers or can develop into thickets, so consider their growth habit and available space when planning. Contact Natural Themes to ask about current plant availability.