A beginner's guide to selecting smaller oak trees for suburban or urban yards

If you want to support the environment with your home landscaping choices, then selecting native plants is about the best thing you can do. Whether it is flowers, trees, or shrubs that are native to your area – all will benefit your local ecology. One of the most powerful native plants would be the Oak tree.

But, most oak trees can grow to towering heights! While we love our massive White and Red Oaks, the truth is they are just too big for most people. And this will dissuade many people with smaller yards from planting oaks, opting for smaller shrubs instead. However, there are several species of oak that do not reach towering heights, and I will tell you about them in this article.

Matching your tree selection to your growing conditions
Small Oaks for Eastern North America
Small Oaks for California or drier conditions

Matching your tree to your soil

One important point, if not the most important point though – is that your choice of tree should match your sunlight, soil texture and drainage conditions of your yard! Matching a tree to it’s preferred growing conditions is critical for it’s health. A healthy tree is resistant to disease and insect damage, while unhealthy trees are not. If you are unfamiliar with your yard’s growing conditions, the three links below should be of help to determine your sunlight, soil texture, and drainage. [Note – if you have wet soil, just jump down to Overcup Oak for a smaller oak that likes moist conditions]

Different sunlight growing conditions
How to determine soil texture by hand, and with a mason jar
How to test your soil’s drainage (most important)

The reason it is so important to know your soil texture and drainage is that some species of trees like wetter conditions, while others like it dry. Some trees can thrive in poorly drained soils, while others need it to drain well. If you put a tree that likes well-drained soil in wet conditions, and the roots are starved of oxygen, it will significantly raise the chances of it getting disease. Likewise a tree that needs moisture will be prone to drying out in dry conditions or soil that drains too well.

For a non-oak example, see this article from the USDA. They found that Redbud trees planted in poorly draining soils began emitting gasses that attracted wood-boring insects. These wood-boring insects will create open wounds on the tree allowing disease spores to enter (the bark is like a protective layer of skin).

Small Oaks for Eastern North America

Blackjack Oak, Quercus marilandica, USDA Zones 6-9

This is a short to medium sized Oak that is native to Central and Eastern North America from Texas to Nebraska, then East to Michigan, New York, and Florida.

When grown out in the open (full sun), it can make a nice symmetrical shape that typically reaches 30-50′ tall. For soil texture, the most important factor is that it is well-drained. It prefers medium to dry soils and will not tolerate wet or poorly draining soils.

Bluejack Oak, Quercus incana, USDA Zones 7-9

Inhabiting the coastal plains from Texas/Oklahoma, wrapping South Around the Appalachain Mountain up to Virginia, Bluejack Oak only reaches 20′ tall, and is often in the form of a shrub in the wild along the edges of forests. In the open it will be a tree with an irregular crown. This can be pruned when insects are not active.

This can make a perfect shade tree for a small yard. It is only 20′ tall, and is tough and drought tolerant.

For growing conditions it will do best in full sun to part-sun. It is naturally found in sandy soils that drain well

Chapman Oak, Quercus chapmanii, USDA Zones 9-10

This oak is more of a shrub than a tree, but it can be used as a small shrub or border. It is deciduous oak shrub that is native to the coastal areas of Alabama, Florida, and up to South Carolina. Only reaching heights of 15′, it can be contained through pruning when insects are not active. As a coastal plant, it should not be a surprise that this shrub prefers full sun and well-draining soil.

But Chapman Oak can be a privacy screen that while deciduous, will have leaf growth most of the year. Another benefit is that it will provide cover for birds, as well as host numerous caterpillars, which further feeds birds.

Dwarf Chinkapin Oak, Quercus prinoides, USDA Zones 5-8

For the Eastern half of North America, Dwarf Chinkapin Oak is probably the best choice for most homeowners who want a smaller oak tree. Also known as Dwarf Chestnut Oak, it is a small shrub or tree that typically grows 12′ tall, but can reach 20′ in optimum conditions. And the preferred growing conditions are full sun and medium-moist to dry conditions. So, well draining soil is a must with this tree.

In the open, it will form a tree that has an irregular shape. The image at right, we can see that this specimen is shaded from the backside, causing it to ‘lean’ toward open sunlight. It is possible for this oak to produce short runners that will pop up new trees.

Georgia Oak, Quercus georgiana, USDA Zones 5-8

The Georgia Oak is a smaller Oak tree, reaching heights of 50′ on rocky outcroppings in the mountains. An uncommon species, the native range of the Georgia Oak is confined to some 20 counties in Alabama, Georgia, SC and NC. It grows best in full sun, but needs well-draining soils. It can however tolerate almost any soil texture provided that it drains.

Myrtle Oak, Quercus myrtifolia, USDA zones 8-10

One of the more unique species of Oak for small yards, Myrtle Oak is an evergreen. It’s thick broadleaf leaves will hang on all-year. It generally tops out around 12′ tall, making it a great choice for a privacy hedge. Like all oaks, it is hugely beneficial to wildlife.

For growing conditions, it will be best in full sun and well-draining soils.

Overcup Oak, Quercus lyrata, USDA Zones 5-9

Possibly the tallest ‘small’ oak on our list, Overcup Oak generally reaches heights of 35-60′. But I felt it was important to include this particular species, as this tree can tolerate wet or poorly-draining soils. It has other common names such as Swamp White or Swamp Post Oak, which speaks to the conditions it can often be found it.

So, if you have very poorly draining soil, or a ‘wet’ yard but want a smaller Oak tree, then this one is for you! It’s native range covers the coastal plains from Texas to New Jersey, but it is also found along riverbanks and streams all the way up to Iowa. If grown in the open, it will make a nice form and make for a handsome landscaping tree.

Runner Oak, Quercus pumila, USDA zones 8-10

One of our ‘shrub’ oaks, Runner Oak never gets taller than 6′! Native to the coasts of the South Eastern United States, it is semi-evergreen in it’s southern most range, and can spread via underground runners.

So, it is a great choice for a privacy shrub or an accent. Preferring full sun and well-draining soil, it is easy to grow and tough. And the birds and wildlife will really appreciate you planting it!

Sandpost Oak, Quercus margaretta, USDA zones 7-9

A small deciduous tree, Sand Post Oak will typically grow upwards of 30-40′. The growth rate is slow, but this is one of the best small oak trees for sandy or gravely soils. As you would expect, it needs soil that is well draining and does prefer full sun. As such, it will do best in full sun with some space to spread out.

But this is an option for those with very sandy soils in their yards. The growth rate is slow, but like with all Oaks, the wildlife benefit is worth it!

Small Oaks for California & the Southwest

Blue Oak, Quercus douglasii, USDA Zones 7-9

The common name Blue Oak comes from the blue-green leaves, which can make for a beautiful sight whether planted as a specimen or row. But Blue Oak are slow growing oak that can reach a maximum height of about 65′, making it a small oak.

This is possibly the most common of all Oak trees in California, and thus is easy to grow in most locations. It is drought tolerant, but supplemental watering in dry spells would be beneficial to the tree.

California Scrub Oak, Quercus berberidifolia USDA Zones 7-10

A small evergreen shrub, California Scrub Oak only grows to about 12′ tall, making it perfect for small yards. It’s foliage is attractive, and it’s acorns will feed wildlife. This can grow in full sun to part-shade, and is very drought tolerant. It will prefer well-draining soils.

Gembel’s Oak, Quercus gembelii, USDA Zones 4-9

One of the most important Oak Species in the Southwest, Gembel’s Oak has a huge range covering most of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, while extending into Nevada, Texas, Colorado and even Wyoming. It is extremely adaptable in both moist and dry conditions, and can reach heights of 50′ depending on it’s location. But it will prefer full sun and well-draining soil.