More than 35 Feet Tall

• When planted near buildings, very tall trees provide windbreaks that lower winter heating bills. The Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) grows to 80 feet tall with a 50-foot spread. This vase-shaped tree has low branches that ascend with maturity. It is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 5 to 8 and prefers sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Japanese zelkovas have deciduous foliage and tolerate heat, drought, wind and urban pollution. The Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoids) is pyramid-shaped when young but grows into a vase shape. This deciduous tree is hardy in zones 2 to 9. It grows quickly to 100 feet tall with a 75-foot spread and has serrated, heart-shaped leaves. Plant the Eastern cottonwood in full sun and a range of soils. It tolerates drought and air pollution.
  
  

To 35 Feet Tall

• Plant medium-sized trees about 35 feet apart and at least 15 feet from a house to provide shade and allow air circulation. The Pathfinder lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia "Pathfinder") grows to 35 feet tall with a 30-foot spread. This vase-shaped, deciduous tree has lustrous yellow-green foliage that turns reddish gray in autumn and peeling, orange-gray bark. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil and is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9. The Emerald Pagoda styrax (Styrax japonicus "Emerald Pagoda") grows to 30 feet tall and wide with an upright vase shape. It has tough, dark-green, deciduous foliage and tolerates heat and clay soils. Japanese styrax trees are hardy in zones 5 to 8 and grow well in sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
  
  

To 25 Feet Tall

• Trees less than 25 feet can be planted about 15 feet from the southwestern corner of a house to provide summer shading. The National kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa "National") grows in a vase-shape to 20 feet. It produces an abundance of showy, white flowers in spring and turns red, purple and scarlet in fall. This deciduous tree is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8 and grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. The Japanese cherry (Prunus serrulata) grows in an upright, vase shape to 25 feet tall with a 20-foot spread. It is hardy in zones 5 to 6 and blooms with white flowers in late spring. Its deciduous, 5 inch long leaves turn coppery red in fall. Plant Japanese cherry trees in sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
  
  

To 15 Feet Tall

• Small, ornamental trees work well as specimens, especially when they produce attractive flowers or fruits. The Seiyu Japanese maple (Acer palmatum "Seiyu") grows from 10 to 15 feet tall in an upright vase shape. This deciduous tree has dissected green and red foliage that turns orange, red and yellow in fall. Japanese maples are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8 and prefer light shade and consistently moist, well-drained soil. The chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) grows to 10 feet tall in a stiff, vase-like form. This deciduous tree is named for its long-lasting, bright-red berries. Its foliage turns red, purple and scarlet in fall. Chokeberries are hardy in zones 4 to 9. They grow well in full sun to partial shade and wet to dry, well-drained soils.