As more people move into Boulder yards become smaller and there is less room for larger trees. The good news is that there are smaller trees that are perfect for small yards or even apartment balconies.
This list will cover trees ranging from 2 feet wide all the way to 20 feet wide, some colorful and some hardier for Boulder county’s high elevation.
Blue Arrow Juniper
Height: 15 Feet
Width: 2 Feet
Maximum Elevation: 7,500 Feet
The blue arrow juniper is a shimmering evergreen color and distinguished by its bright blue berries. It grows to a narrow spread of only 2 feet wide and in a conifer shape. Despite its narrow width it can grow 15 feet tall and has the biggest height to width ratio in Colorado. This ratio makes it a great focal point for a smaller garden.
In my opinion this is like the Italian Cypress of Colorado. They can be found in boulder lining the Settler’s park and the Newton Court.
Japanese Maple
Height: 6-10 Feet
Width: 6-10 Feet
Maximum Elevation: 5,500 Feet
This Tree has some of the most deep autumn red colors in all of Colorado. At their biggest they grow about 6- 10 feet tall and wide and will fit in many small yards. They can also be grow in large pots when they are younger, making them colorful balcony trees.
They are not as tough as other trees and can sometimes be damaged in wind storms. In addition they only grow below an altitude of 5,500 feet so keep that in mind when planning.
Green Velvet Boxwood
Height: 3-4 Feet
Width: 3-4 Feet
Maximum Elevation: 6400 Feet
The Green Velvet Boxwood is a gardener and landscaper’s ideal tree. It has a thick foliage that stays a powerful green color year round and can be hedged into many shapes. Their small size makes them a good pot plant for balconies and for ornamenting the perimeter of a Boulder County Garden. They are also very hardy, throughout our work performing tree service in Boulder we have never had someone who wanted to remove this tree because of storm damage. Keep an eye out for them when visiting homes near Chautauqua Auditorium and Park.
Goldflame Spirea
Height: 2-3 Feet
Width: 2 Feet
Maxium Elevation: 8,500 Feet
The aptly named Goldflame Spirea is one of the more colorful plants you will find at higher elevations. In the fall it begins with bronze color that turns yellow green in the summer and finally a bright orange and pink in the fall.
The height makes it perfect for small yards and gardens. It can go will with many other deciduous plants and combine to make a spectacularly colorful display in autumn.
Keep in mind these will need to by watered more often than hardier evergreen plants. However they don’t need as much sunlight and can do well in shadier spots. Keep an eye out for them when hiking in the Flatirons and Green Mountain.
Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry
Height: 15-20 Feet
Width: 10 Feet
Maximum Elevation: 8,500 Feet
Another high elevation tree is the Serviceberry which has a white flowering bloom in the spring followed by a orange red display in autumn. These have berries which attract birds looking for a snack, making it the best small tree for bird lovers. They are ornamental trees that you can find decorating the outside places like the Boulder Dushane Teahouse and the Macky Auditorium Concert Hall.
Other Small Trees That Can Be Planted In Boulder
The list above is only scratching the service and there are dozens of trees that work with small spaces. Try using the list below for even more ideas
- Cherry Tree
- Plum Tree
- Buffalo Shrub
- Eastern Redbud
- Crabapple Tree
- Peach Tree
- Pear Tree
- Spartan & Spearmint Evergreen Tree
- Winter Gem Boxwood
- Euonymous Emerald Gaiety
- Globe Spruce
- Chanticleer Pear Tree