13 Attractive Semi-Dwarf and Dwarf Ornamental Trees to Plant in Zone 5

Finding the right decorative small tree to plant in your small corner of the world can be challenging, especially if you live in hardiness zone 5 with cold winters. But it’s not an impossible feat.

For a quick reference, this is the typical height of a standard small tree:

Tree Size	Mature Height
Dwarf	8-10 feet tall
Semi-dwarf	11-15 feet tall
Small	>15 feet tall

Important note: It’s entirely possible to keep a tree’s size small by pruning and shaping it in its younger stages. However, it’s best to check with an arborist and hire a professional to do this for you, especially if you’re dealing with a mature tree. Pruning a tree is not the same as pruning a houseplant – you’ll likely weaken the tree and cause more damage in the long run. This is where it’s smarter to choose smaller tree varieties instead.

So, here’s a list of semi-dwarf and dwarf ornamental trees you can plant easily in zone 5 with helpful tips for taking care of them:

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1. Red Buckeye (Aesculus Pavia)
2. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana)
3. Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis)
4. Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum)
5. Dwarf Chestnut Oak (Quercus Prinoides)
6. Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)
7. Carolina Silverbell (Halesia Carolina)
8. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida)
9. Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras Sorbifolium)
10. Japanese Snowbell (Styrax Japonicus)
11. Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum Anagyroides)
12. Hardy Orange (Citrus Trifoliata)
13. Franklin Tree (Franklinia Alatamaha)

1. Red Buckeye (Aesculus Pavia)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 15-25 feet tall.
Growth rate: Moderately fast.
Leaf: Dark green, palmate (i.e. looks like an open palm) leaves.
Flowers: Tubular orange/burgundy flowers.
Fruits: Smooth, brown capsules with large, lustrous seeds.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: Partial shade; about 2-6 hours of full sun.
Soil: Fertile, well-draining soil that is consistently moist.
Water: Once a week to keep the surrounding soil damp. It can handle occasional dry periods if you forget to water it.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree?

Do not ingest any part of this tree as it is highly toxic upon consumption.
Be sure to have regular cleaning maintenance around this tree. It’s known for shedding its leaves, flowers, and fruits like nobody’s business.

2. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 15-30 feet tall.
Growth rate: Moderately fast.
Leaf: Velvety, wavy leaves that can be brown, yellow, orange, purple, or green in color.
Flowers: Scented flowers of cream, red, gold, or white.
Fruits: Woody brown capsule with two black seeds inside.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: 6 hours or more of full sun.
Soil: Fertile, consistently moist clay soil.
Water: Once a week to keep the surrounding soil damp when it’s still young. As a mature tree, it can get by with just rainwater.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree? Never let this tree experience drought. It’s better to keep its soil environment constantly moist. When in doubt, feel the ground’s surface:

If it’s dry, it’s time to water.
If it’s wet, you can hold off on watering for another day or two.

3. Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 20-30 feet tall.
Growth rate: Moderately fast.
Leaf: Green heart-shaped leaves that change into golden beauties in fall.
Flowers: Pea-shaped flowers in burgundy, pink, or lavender. These tend to emerge before the leaves do.
Fruits: Green, brown, or black seedpods that look like legumes.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: 6 or more hours of full sun.
Soil: Preferably fertile, loamy soil, but they can also grow in clay and sandy soil.
Water: Once a week to keep the surrounding soil damp. When in doubt, use the knuckle test to see when it’s time to water.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree? Plant the tree somewhere safe to prevent accidents as its branches tend to break easily. There’s nothing worse than having a romantic moment under this tree and then having you or your date knocked out by a falling branch.

4. Japanese Maple (Acer Palmatum)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 15-25 feet tall.
Growth rate: Slow.
Leaf: Fine but deeply lobed leaves that can come in red, gold, or purple.
Flowers: Small burgundy, gold, or lavender flowers.
Fruits: Curved brown or red-winged seeds.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: Dappled sunlight; heavily shaded under a tree canopy, away from direct sun.
Soil: Fertile, moist soil. They can thrive in any kind of soil as long as they get enough water.
Water: Once a week to keep the surrounding soil damp. But this can easily vary depending on the soil type it’s planted in:
- Clay soil retains water longer. Every 10-14 days between watering may be more ideal.
- Sandy soil drains water quickly. Every 3-5 days between watering is a good starting point for the tree.
- Loamy soil is the perfect balance between clay and sand. Watering once a week is adequate for this soil type.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree? This tree is quite sensitive to drought, strong winds, and frost, especially if it is still in its early stages of growth.

For drought, use the knuckle test to check the soil before watering.
For strong winds, plant the tree in a protected area surrounded by other plants.
For frost, mulch around the tree heavily to protect its roots from freeze damage.

If you want to try planting Japanese Maple trees indoors, you can read more about it in this article.

5. Dwarf Chestnut Oak (Quercus Prinoides)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 12-25 feet tall.
Growth rate: Moderately fast.
Leaf: Leathery, oval-shaped leaves that come in gold or green.
Flowers: Yellow, green, or burgundy flowers.
Fruits: Smooth, oval brown or black acorns.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: 6 or more hours of full sun.
Soil: Preferably fertile, loamy soil, but they can also grow in clay and sandy soil. They can also tolerate growing in relatively poor-quality soil.
Water: Every 7-10 days, allowing the soil to dry out first before its next watering.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree? Don’t attempt to transplant this tree from one area to another. The chances of it recovering from the transfer are often low. Pick a good spot and let it grow there indefinitely.

6. Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 15-33 feet tall.
Growth rate: Moderately fast.
Leaf: Round, green leaves with a pointed edge.
Flowers: Cup-shaped, scented flowers of pink, white, or lavender.
Fruits: Multiple, cone-like fruits that come in cooper or burgundy.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: 6 or more hours of full sun.
Soil: Fertile, loamy soil.
Water: Once a week to keep the surrounding soil damp when it’s still young. As a mature tree, it only needs watering when the soil dries out.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree? This tree tends to get pest and disease problems:

For pests, look out for black sooty mold. This is caused by scales that produce honeydew.
For diseases, look out for any odd leaf spots on the tree.

7. Carolina Silverbell (Halesia Carolina)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 10-40 feet tall.
Growth rate: Moderately fast.
Leaf: Dark green or yellow oblong leaves.
Flowers: Bell-shaped pink or white flowers.
Fruits: Copper or green-winged fruit with a hard seed inside.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: 6 or more hours of full sun.
Soil: Fertile, loamy soil.
Water: Once a week to keep the surrounding soil damp when it’s still young. As a mature tree, it can handle occasional dry periods.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree? Maintain a regular pruning schedule, about twice a year, to keep the tree small in shape.

8. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus Florida)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 15-25 feet tall.
Growth rate: Moderately fast.
Leaf: Green ovate leaves that turn lavender or burgundy in fall.
Flowers: Gold, white, pink, or green cross-shaped flowers.
Fruits: Shiny red bitter berry.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: 6 or more hours of full sun.
Soil: Preferably fertile, loamy soil, but they can also grow in clay and sandy soil.
Water: Once a week to keep the surrounding soil damp.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree? Mulch the surrounding area of the tree. It helps cool the roots in summer and retains heat during winter.

Want to see some more Dogwoods? The 3 Best Dogwood Trees with Edible Berries

9. Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras Sorbifolium)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 8-25 feet tall.
Growth rate: Slow.
Leaf: Glossy green, palmate leaves.
Flowers: Scented, star-shaped flowers that come in cream, white, gold, or red.
Fruits: Green capsules containing purple-brown, pea-sized seeds.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: 6 or more hours of full sun.
Soil: Well-draining, loamy soil.
Water: Every 7-10 days, allowing the soil to dry out first before its next watering.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree? This tree’s seeds, leaves, and flowers are edible, all of which are typically boiled before consumption.

10. Japanese Snowbell (Styrax Japonicus)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 20-30 feet tall.
Growth rate: Moderately fast.
Leaf: Glossy green or golden oblong leaves.
Flowers: Bell-shaped, scented pink or white flowers.
Fruits: Dry brown or gray seeds.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: 6 or more hours of full sun.
Soil: Preferably fertile, loamy soil, but they can also grow in clay and sandy soil.
Water: Once a week to keep the surrounding soil damp.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree? This tree regularly self-seeds, so don’t be surprised if you observe seedlings growing underneath it.

11. Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum Anagyroides)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 12-30 feet tall.
Growth rate: Slow.
Leaf: Green palmate leaves.
Flowers: Pea-like, golden flowers.
Fruits: Legume-like pods.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: 6 or more hours of full sun.
Soil: Preferably loamy soil, but they can also grow in clay and sandy soil.
Water: Once a week to keep the surrounding soil damp.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree?

Do not ingest any part of this tree as it is highly toxic.
This tree does not tolerate heat well for those living in warm climates. Where possible, plant the tree under partial shade.

12. Hardy Orange (Citrus Trifoliata)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 8-20 feet.
Growth rate: Slow.
Leaf: Glossy yellow or green palmate leaves.
Flowers: White scented flowers.
Fruits: Golden yellow, scented oranges.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: 6 or more hours of full sun.
Soil: Well-draining, acidic soil.
Water: Every 7-10 days, allowing the soil to dry out first before its next watering.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree? This tree can be somewhat invasive. Maintain regular pruning to control its growth, and you’re good to go.

13. Franklin Tree (Franklinia Alatamaha)

What are its prominent features?

Mature height: 10-25 feet tall.
Growth rate: Slow.
Leaf: Glossy green oblong leaves that turn burgundy, orange, or lavender in fall.
Flowers: Scented, cup-shaped white or cream flowers.
Fruits: Copper capsules.

What are its basic care needs?

Sun: 6 or more hours of full sun.
Soil: Fertile, well-draining soil.
Water: Once a week to keep the surrounding soil damp.

Any particular precautions about planting this tree?

Never allow the surrounding soil around this tree to dry out as it cannot tolerate drought.
This plant has a delicate root system and doesn’t like transplanting procedures at all. Stick to one area and let it get established there.

References:

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aesculus-pavia/

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/hamamelis-virginiana/

https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B987&%20Shrubs%20and%20Woody%20Vines#RedBuckeye

https://extension.psu.edu/eastern-redbud-a-superb-tree-for-almost-any-landscape

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cercis-canadensis/

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/acer-palmatum/

https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/maple/

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/quercus-prinoides/

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/magnolia-x-soulangeana/

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/halesia-carolina/

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cornus-florida/