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Shade Trees for Small Spaces


Unless you have a lot of space, stay away from trees like Cottonwoods, Mulberry, Ash, or Willows. These need a minimum of 25’ – 30’ distance from your home, sidewalks, or block walls. Why? These trees have vigorous surface roots that can crack foundations, heave sidewalks, and knock over walls. Plus if their large branches overhang your home or office, they can cause considerable damage if they break and fall.

Trees That Please Nursery propagates many shade trees ideally suited for home or business owners with limited space. These trees include those with deep root systems (tap roots) and / or those with smaller canopies. Some of the shade trees for small spaces that we propagate include:


Texas and Chisos Red Oaks
Fast growth (1’-4’ per year)
Canopy 35’ – 40’ tall, 20’ – 25’ wide, makes acorns, Chisos Red Oak slightly smaller
Tap root
Fall Color- Gorgeous Red- Maroon
Zone 5-9

Shantung Maple
Fast growth (1’-3’ per year)
Canopy 25’ tall and wide
Deep roots
Fall Color- Yellow-Gold
Zone 4-8


Chinese Pistache
Fast growth (1’-3’ per year)
Canopy 25’ – 30’ tall and wide
Tap root
Fall Color- Various shades of Red-Pink-Orange-Yellow
Zone 6-9


Chinquapin Oak
Fast growth (1’-3’ per year, occasionally up to 8’ annually)
Canopy 40’ – 45’ tall, 25’ – 30’ wide, edible acorns
Tap root
Fall Color- Yellow, some specimens turn Red-Orange
Zone 4-8



Little Leaf Walnut

The Littleleaf Walnut is so named due to its small leaves compared to Arizona Walnut. This tree can reach 25′ tall wide and produces a small sweet nut. 
Canopy: 15-20 ft. tall and wide
Medium Growth 
Non invasive roots
Yellow fall color 
Zone 6-9 


Desert Willow
Fast growth (1’-4’ per year), extremely heat & drought tolerant
Canopy 18’- 25’ tall, 18’-25’ wide
Deep roots, multiple trunks, flowers (available in pink, burgundy, and white) all summer
Fall Color- Yellow
Zone: 7-11



Gray Oak
Semi-Evergreen. Excellent drought tolerant native tree. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping!
Fast growth (1’-3’ per year),
Canopy 35’ – 40’ tall and wide
Tap root, Evergreen, makes acorns
Fall Color- Leaves are evergreen
Zone 6-10



Visit Trees That Please Nursery for more information. Our summer hours are daily Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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