Which Type of Evergreen Tree Will Only Grow to 10 to 12 Feet Tall?

Broadlef Trees for Warm Climates

• The broadleaf evergreen trees Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira) and michelia (Michelia compressa) grow 10 to 15 feet tall and put out fragrant white flowers. Japanese pittosporum, also known as Australian laurel, is suited to the Gulf Coast or West Coast in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 10. It prefers slightly acidic soil and spreads 10 to 15 feet wide. Known to grow up to 40 feet tall in its native habitat, michelia is much shorter in ornamental plantings. This tree enjoys morning sun, followed by afternoon shade and spreads 5 to 12 feet wide. Michelia grows in USDA zones 10 to 11.

Pendulous Trees for Cool Climates

• Norway spruce “Pendula” (Picea abies “Pendula”) and blue atlas cedar “Glauca Pendula” (Cedrus atlantica “Glauca Pendula”) are pendulous trees suited to cool climates. “Pendula” will grow as a tree 10 to 15 feet tall, if properly staked, and requires full sun in USDA zones 3 through 7. It endures air pollution, resists deer and is considered invasive in some regions. “Glauca Pendula” grows 3 to 12 feet tall and wide in USDA zones 6 through 7. Train the central leader to control its height and growth habit.

Dry, Shallow, Rocky Soil

• Chinese juniper “Blue Alps” (Juniperus chinensis “Blue Alps”) and red cedar “Burkii” (Juniperus virginiana “Burkii”) are needled evergreen trees that can thrive in dry, shallow, rocky soil and help control soil erosion. “Blue Alps” grows 10 to 12 feet tall by 6 to 8 feet wide in USDA zones 4 through 9. This evergreen tolerates clay soil and has prickly foliage. “Burkii” usually grows 10 to 15 feet tall, but infrequently grows 25 feet tall, by 4 to 10 feet wide in USDA zones 2 through 9. It makes a good windbreak, but not a good companion to apple trees. Both trees feature a columnar to narrow pyramidal canopy and are considered invasive in some regions.

For Shady Locations

• You can plant the evergreen trees yew “Beanpole” (Taxus x media “Beanpole”) and small anise tree (Illicium parviflorum) in full shade. “Beanpole” is a narrow tree that takes 20 years or more to grow 8 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. It grows in USDA zones 5 through 7, needs protection from winter winds and won’t do well exposed to the heat that typically emanates from a south-facing wall. Small anise tree tolerates wet soil, helps control soil erosion and may spread, as its branches root if they touch the ground. This Florida native broadleaf evergreen grows 10 to 15 feet tall by 6 to 10 feet wide in USDA zones 7 through 10.