What is a columnar tree?
A columnar tree grows upright with a narrow form, so it adds height without taking much width. Some are naturally narrow, while others are cultivars selected for an upright habit, sometimes labeled “fastigiate” or “pillar.” They are popular for small gardens, tight side yards, privacy screens and as vertical accents beside doorways or fences.
“Narrow” is relative. A tree described as columnar may still be 8 to 15 feet wide when mature, so check the published width for the specific cultivar and confirm it fits your space.
Evergreen columnar trees
Evergreens give year-round screening and structure.
- Sky Pencil holly: A very slim Japanese holly cultivar, usually grown as a tall shrub or small tree, roughly 6 to 10 feet tall and only about 1 to 3 feet wide, depending on the source and growing conditions.
- Slender Hinoki cypress: A narrow, slow-growing conifer with fan-like foliage.
- American arborvitae cultivars (such as ‘Emerald Green’ and ‘American Pillar’): Commonly planted for privacy. Deer often browse arborvitae, which can be an issue in some areas.
- Skyrocket and other upright junipers: Very narrow and tolerant of sun and poor soil, though they can be vulnerable to some diseases in humid regions.
- Columnar spruces and pines: Slow growers that suit larger beds. See our guide to skinny pine trees for tight spaces.
- Italian cypress: Very tall and slender but suited to warm, mild climates, so it is not a fit everywhere.
Deciduous columnar trees
Deciduous options bring flowers and fall color.
- Columnar maples such as ‘Armstrong Gold’: A narrow upright red maple that still grows fairly tall (nurseries often list around 40 feet) and tends to broaden with age, so it needs vertical clearance.
- Fastigiate hornbeam: Tidy, dense and tolerant of pruning, with an upright to oval shape.
- Columnar ginkgo cultivars: Narrow, pest-resistant trees with bright yellow fall color. Choose a male cultivar to avoid fruit.
- Columnar zelkova and sweetgum cultivars: Narrow forms of otherwise large trees, with good fall color in many climates.
- Columnar flowering cherry and crabapple cultivars: Spring flowers in a tight form. Check disease resistance for crabapples.
Columnar fruit trees
Compact, upright apple trees, often sold as columnar or “pillar” apples, can fit into very small gardens and large containers. Many apples need a second compatible variety nearby for pollination, so check the label. Their growth is stunted in height compared with ordinary apples, but they still need pruning and care. For potted growing, see best trees for patio pots.
Which columnar tree grows fastest?
Some narrow trees grow quickly, such as arborvitae and certain upright poplars, but speed can come with downsides. Lombardy poplar, for example, is often cited as short-lived and prone to disease, so it is usually not a first choice. In general, a moderately fast, well-matched cultivar is a safer long-term pick than the fastest one.
How to use columnar trees in a landscape
- Privacy screens: Plant a row of the same evergreen. See fast-growing trees for a privacy screen for more on screening. Space according to the mature width of the cultivar rather than closer for faster coverage, because crowding can cause disease and dead patches.
- Framing views or entrances: A pair on either side of a gate or door gives a formal look.
- Vertical accent: A single tall, narrow tree adds contrast to rounded shrubs.
- Narrow side yards: Pick a cultivar whose width fits the space even at maturity.
Planting and care tips
- Check the mature height and width for your exact cultivar.
- Give each tree full sun unless the label says otherwise.
- Water consistently in the first couple of years.
- Keep pruning light. Many columnar forms look best left alone, and removing a central leader can ruin the shape.
- Heavy snow can bend or split some narrow conifers. In snowy areas, a gentle tie-up in winter may help, though results vary by species.
Frequently asked questions
What are some good vertical trees for small gardens? Sky Pencil holly, slender hinoki cypress, upright arborvitae and columnar hornbeam are common choices.
What tree grows tall but narrow? Italian cypress, upright junipers and columnar cultivars of ginkgo and maple all fit that description, in suitable climates.
For broader tree selection, see our guide to the best shade trees for backyards.