Discover 20 Skinny evergreen trees perfect for small spaces, privacy screens, and adding vertical interest. This guide covers sizes, hardiness, and care for these space-saving trees.
I’ll never forget the challenge I faced in my first garden—a narrow strip between my house and the neighbor’s fence that seemed too small for any meaningful planting. That’s when I discovered the world of skinny evergreen trees. These vertical wonders transformed that wasted space into a lush, year-round privacy screen that’s now one of my garden’s most admired features.
Skinny evergreen trees, often called columnar or fastigiate trees, are the perfect solution for urban gardens, small yards, and any space where width is limited but height is desired. They provide permanent structure, privacy, and wildlife habitat without swallowing your garden whole.
Why Grow Skinny Evergreen Trees?
You should consider these slender trees because they solve common landscaping problems. They create natural privacy screens in tight spaces where wider trees won’t fit. Their upright habit makes them perfect for framing entrances, lining driveways, or defining property lines. Unlike deciduous trees, they provide year-round color and structure, looking particularly striking in winter when other plants have faded. Many are surprisingly low-maintenance, requiring little pruning to maintain their narrow shape.
20 Top Skinny Evergreen Trees for Your Landscape
Here are my favorite columnar trees that deliver maximum impact in minimum space.
1. Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
This is the classic Mediterranean columnar tree, reaching 40-60 feet tall but staying only 3-5 feet wide. Its dark green, dense foliage makes a dramatic statement. Plant it in well-drained soil in full sun. It’s ideal for USDA zones 7-10 and works beautifully as a living fence or architectural accent. Learn more about Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) tree.
2. Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’)
This incredibly narrow holly grows 6-8 feet tall but stays a remarkably slim 1-2 feet wide. Its upright, columnar form requires no pruning to maintain its shape. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and is perfect for containers, flanking entryways, or tight urban spaces in zones 6-9. Descover Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’) tree.
3. Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)
A popular choice for good reason, this arborvitae grows 12-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Its bright emerald green foliage maintains its color through winter. Use it for privacy screens, hedges, or windbreaks in zones 3-7. It prefers full sun but tolerates light shade. Read about Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’) tree.
4. Blue Arrow Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Blue Arrow’)
This striking juniper features silvery-blue foliage on a very narrow column that reaches 12-15 feet tall but only 2 feet wide. It’s drought-tolerant once established and makes an excellent vertical accent in rock gardens or as a specimen plant in zones 4-9. Explore Blue Arrow Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Blue Arrow’) tree.
5. Taylor Juniper (Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’)
A superior alternative to some older junipers, ‘Taylor’ grows 15-20 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Its silvery-green foliage and dense branching make it ideal for screening. It’s particularly disease-resistant and thrives in zones 4-9 with full sun. Learn about Taylor Juniper (Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’).
6. Degroot’s Spire Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Degroot’s Spire’)
This unique arborvitae features twisted, dark green foliage on a very narrow column that reaches 10-20 feet tall but only 3-4 feet wide. Its distinctive texture adds interest to the landscape, and it performs well in zones 3-7 with full sun to partial shade. Discover Degroot’s Spire Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Degroot’s Spire’) .
7. Fastigiata Spruce (Picea orientalis ‘Fastigiata’)
This narrow spruce grows 20-30 feet tall but stays only 6-8 feet wide. Its dark green needles have a silvery underside, and it develops a beautiful, dense columnar form. It’s excellent as a specimen tree in zones 4-7 and prefers full sun. Explore Fastigiata Spruce (Picea orientalis ‘Fastigiata’).
8. Columnar Blue Spruce (Picea pungens ‘Fastigiata’)
If you love blue spruce but lack space, this upright variety grows 15-20 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide. Its striking silvery-blue needles make it a standout specimen tree. It thrives in zones 2-8 with full sun and well-drained soil. Learn more about Columnar Blue Spruce (Picea pungens ‘Fastigiata’).
9. Green Arrow Alaska Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow’)
This dramatically narrow tree reaches 20-35 feet tall but stays only 2-3 feet wide. Its strongly weeping habit and dark green foliage create a stunning vertical accent. It prefers moist, well-drained soil in zones 4-8 and makes an excellent specimen tree. Read more about Green Arrow Alaska Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow’).
10. Spartan Juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’)
A fast-growing option that reaches 15-20 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. Its rich green, dense foliage and pyramidal form make it perfect for screening. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in zones 4-9 with full sun. Descover about Spartan Juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’).
11. Iseli Fastigiate Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba ‘Iseli Fastigiate’)
While technically deciduous, this ginkgo’s narrow columnar form and unique fan-shaped leaves earn it a place on this list. It grows 20-30 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide, with brilliant yellow fall color. It’s pest-free and adaptable to zones 4-9. Explore Iseli Fastigiate Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba ‘Iseli Fastigiate’).
12. Slender Silhouette Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’)
Another deciduous exception worth mentioning, this incredibly narrow tree grows 50 feet tall but stays only 4-5 feet wide. Its star-shaped leaves provide excellent fall color, and its unique form is perfect for tight spaces in zones 5-9. Learn more Slender Silhouette Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’).
13. Dragon Lady Holly (Ilex × aquipernyi ‘Dragon Lady’)
This holly features a narrow, pyramidal form growing 15-20 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide. Its spiny, dark green leaves and bright red berries provide year-round interest. It’s excellent for security planting under windows and thrives in zones 6-9. Read more about Dragon Lady Holly (Ilex × aquipernyi ‘Dragon Lady’).
14. Pointe Maguire Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Pointe Maguire’)
A particularly narrow juniper that reaches 12-15 feet tall but stays only 18-24 inches wide. Its fine-textured, blue-green foliage maintains its color year-round. It’s perfect for the tightest spaces in zones 4-9. Explore More about Pointe Maguire Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Pointe Maguire’).
15. Swedish Aspen (Populus tremula ‘Erecta’)
This fast-growing deciduous tree has a narrow, columnar habit reaching 40 feet tall but only 10 feet wide. Its quaking leaves and white bark provide multi-season interest. Use it for quick screening in zones 2-6. Read more about Swedish Aspen (Populus tremula ‘Erecta’).
16. Columnar Sargent Cherry (Prunus sargentii ‘Columnaris’)
A narrow, deciduous flowering cherry that grows 25-30 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide. Its pink spring flowers, attractive bark, and fall color make it a beautiful narrow specimen for zones 5-7. Learn More Columnar Sargent Cherry (Prunus sargentii ‘Columnaris’).
17. Armstrong Maple (Acer × freemanii ‘Armstrong’)
This fast-growing deciduous maple reaches 50 feet tall but stays only 15 feet wide. Its upright form and brilliant red fall color make it excellent for street planting or as a narrow shade tree in zones 4-9. Read more about Armstrong Maple (Acer × freemanii ‘Armstrong’).
18. Scarlet Oak ‘Splendid’ (Quercus coccinea ‘Splendid’)
A narrow, deciduous oak that grows 40-50 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide. Its brilliant red fall color and strong central leader make it an excellent narrow shade tree for zones 4-9. Descover more Scarlet Oak ‘Splendid’ (Quercus coccinea ‘Splendid’).
19. Dawyck Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’)
This deciduous beech features a narrow, columnar form reaching 25-30 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide. Its smooth gray bark and dense foliage make it an elegant specimen tree for zones 4-7. Learn more about Dawyck Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’).
20. Fastigiate Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’)
A deciduous tree with a dense, narrow, pyramidal form that grows 30-35 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide. Its muscular bark and yellow fall color provide multi-season interest. It tolerates shade well and thrives in zones 4-8. Explore more Fastigiate Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’).
A Quick Guide to Selection
| Tree Type | Height Range | Width Range | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-Narrow (Sky Pencil Holly) | 6-8 ft | 1-2 ft | Tight spaces, entries, containers |
| Medium-Narrow (Emerald Green Arborvitae) | 12-15 ft | 3-4 ft | Privacy screens, hedges |
| Tall & Narrow (Italian Cypress) | 40-60 ft | 3-5 ft | Architectural accents, large screens |
5 Essential Tips for Success
- Check Mature Size: Always consider the tree’s ultimate height and width. That cute 6-foot tree might become a 60-foot giant. The USDA Plants Database provides reliable information on mature sizes.
- Plant Properly: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Plant so the root flare is at soil level. Water deeply after planting and regularly through the first growing season.
- Provide Adequate Space: Even narrow trees need room for their roots and branches. Don’t plant too close to buildings—generally stay at least 5-10 feet away depending on the tree’s mature size.
- Choose the Right Tree for Your Zone: Check your USDA hardiness zone before selecting. A tree that’s not hardy in your area will struggle or die. The USDA Hardiness Zone Map is the authoritative source.
- Consider Growth Rate: Fast-growing trees provide quick screening but may be weaker-wooded and shorter-lived. Slow-growing trees often live longer and require less maintenance. For more on tree selection, see our guide to Naturally Blue Leaf Trees: Adding a Cool Hue to Your Landscape.
A Final Thought
Skinny evergreen trees are the unsung heroes of small-space gardening, providing structure, privacy, and beauty without overwhelming your landscape. The key to success is choosing the right tree for your specific space and conditions. Whether you need a towering Italian Cypress for Mediterranean drama or a slim Sky Pencil Holly for a container by your front door, there’s a narrow tree perfect for your needs.
For more information on selecting and caring for trees, the University of Florida IFAS Extension offers comprehensive resources. If you’re planning a privacy screen, our guide to privacy Trees can provide additional ideas.
What narrow spaces are you looking to fill in your garden? I’d love to hear about your specific challenges and help you find the perfect skinny tree solution. Share your thoughts in the comments below
