Amazing Narrow Evergreen Trees: The Best Skinny Columnar Evergreen Trees (Pictures) – Identification

Narrow evergreen trees are excellent landscaping trees to provide year-long color, privacy, shade, and visual appeal in a garden. Skinny columnar evergreen trees are ideal for small, compact gardens where ornamental trees don’t have room to spread. In addition, narrow trees with evergreen foliage are suitable for planters to add greenery to a patio, container garden, or entranceway.

There are many types of narrow evergreen trees — spruce, arborvitae, juniper, and cypress — to complement a garden landscape. So what are the best skinny evergreen trees to plant? This article lists beautiful evergreen trees with a slender, narrow growth habit.

Narrow Evergreen Trees: Columnar Skinny Evergreen Trees With Their Picture and Name

Narrow evergreen trees create bold statements in your yard. Some columnar evergreens are small with dense, soft foliage and are perfect for growing along a fence. Other types of tall columnar evergreen trees are excellent for growing as specimen trees or creating a natural border along a driveway.

Here are some of the best types of narrow evergreen trees:

Columnar Evergreen White Spruce Tree (Picea glauca ‘Pendula’)

The evergreen white spruce is a slender conifer with drooping branches and a narrow growth pattern. The tree features attractive, densely packed, dark green or blue-green needles. The fast-growing, columnar weeping evergreen tree grows between 12 and 40 ft. (3.6 – 12 m) tall and 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide.

The evergreen white spruce can be planted as a vertical accent while keeping the planting area to a minimum. Its distinctive shape makes it a great choice for planting as a specimen plant. With its conical crown, cascading branches, aromatic needle leaves, and cylindrical tan-colored cones, the easy-care evergreen grows best in full sun and well-drained soils.

• USDA Zones: 2 to 6
• Size: 12 and 40 ft. (3.6 – 12 m) tall, 5 ft. (1.5 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil

‘North Pole’ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘North Pole’)

The evergreen arborvitae cultivar ‘North Pole’ is an ornamental conifer with an upright, columnar growing pattern. The narrow conifer has deep green, soft leaves that grow densely to form a pyramidal shape. This low-maintenance, slow-growing columnar grows 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m) tall and up to 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide.

This columnar tree is suitable for landscaping compact gardens. This conifer is cold-hardy, thriving in USDA zones 3 through 7. The slender, pointed landscape tree is ideal as a specimen tree, hedge, evergreen screen, foundation planting, or shrub border. Or you can plant it in a container as a vertical accent at an entranceway.

• USDA Zones: 3 to 7
• Size: 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m) tall, 5 ft. (1.5 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, moist soil

Malonyana Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Malonyana’)

The evergreen, narrow American arborvitae ‘Malonyana’ has an upright pyramidal shape to provide a strong vertical element to the landscape. The columnar tree is characterized by attractive green foliage and aromatic, soft, feather-like sprays.

The tall columnar arborvitae grows 20 to 30 ft. (6 – 10 m) tall with a slender width of only 4 ft. (1.2 m) wide.

The spectacular Malonyana arborvitae is cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8. Its tall, skinny, columnar growth makes it an excellent replacement for Italian cypress in colder winter regions.

• USDA Zones: 4 to 8
• Size: 20 to 30 ft. (6 – 10 m) tall, 4 ft. (1.2 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Moonglow Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Moonglow’)

The evergreen juniper cultivar ‘Moonglow’ has a tall, neat, fastigiate growth pattern. Moonglow juniper has a columnar shape with slightly bluish-green or glaucous blue-gray foliage, vertically ascending branches, and a somewhat pointed crown. The tall evergreen grows up to 20 ft. (6 m) tall but only 6 ft. (1.8 m) wide.

The columnar Moonglow juniper is ideal for accent planting or growing in an evergreen hedgerow. The beautiful upright juniper looks stunning lining driveways, paths, or growing along fences.

Plant the Moonglow juniper in USDA zones 3 to 7.

• USDA Zones: 3 to 7
• Size: 20 ft. (6 m) tall, 6 ft. (1.8 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil

Narrow Skyrocket Juniper (Juniperus virginiana ‘Skyrocket’)

The elegant evergreen columnar juniper ‘Skyrocket’ is also called ‘Skyrocket’ Eastern red cedar. This juniper is characterized by its extremely narrow growth pattern, hence the name skyrocket. The thin juniper ‘Skyrocket’ tree is a durable and versatile evergreen with beautiful bluish-green foliage. The stately, narrow evergreen grows 25 to 35 ft. (7.6 – 10.6 m) tall and is only 6 to 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m) wide.

You can plant the ‘Skyrocket’ juniper to form an evergreen screen or as a specimen accent tree. Once established, the juniper requires very little care and no pruning to keep its pencil-like shape. Plant in USDA zones 3 through 9.

• USDA Zones: 3 to 9
• Size: 25 to 35 ft. (7.6 – 10.6 m) tall, 6 to 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained soil

Evergreen American Arborvitae ‘Yellow Ribbon’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’)

The evergreen pyramid-shaped arborvitae ‘Yellow Ribbon’ has distinctive golden yellow spray-like leaves that keep their color throughout the year. The narrow, upright conical evergreen grows between 8 and 10 ft. (2.4 – 3 m) tall with a spread of 3 ft. (0.9 m).

The ‘Yellow Ribbon’ arborvitae thrives in USDA zones 2 through 7. The semi-dwarf evergreen conifer with its yellowish-green foliage works well for a privacy screen, noise buffer, natural border, or to line a driveway. In addition, the upright tree is ideal where bright colors are required in the landscape throughout the year.

• USDA Zones: 2 to 7
• Size: 8 to 10 ft. (2.4 – 3 m) tall, 3 ft. (0.9 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Well-drained soil

Tall Skinny Evergreen Eastern Red Cedar ‘Taylor’ (Juniperus virginiana ‘Taylor’)

The eastern red cedar cultivar ‘Taylor’ is a columnar, tall, narrow evergreen tree characterized by silvery blue-green dense foliage. In winter, the skinny conifer can take on an attractive bronzed appearance. The slender red cedar evergreen ‘Taylor’ grows 15 – 20 ft. (4.5 – 6 m) tall with a slender spread of 3 to 4 ft (0.9 – 1.2 m).

Grow the thin Juniperus virginiana ‘Tayor’ tree as a formal screening or hedgerow plant. The evergreen conifer thrives in USDA zones 4 through 9.

• USDA Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 15 to 20 ft. (4.5 – 6 m) tall, 3 to 4 ft (0.9 – 1.2 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil

Slender Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’)

The evergreen, slender Hinoki false cypress has a graceful open branching pattern with a pyramidal form. Tiny, deep, green-colored needles characterize the landscaping conifer. The slender Hinoki cypress is slow-growing and eventually matures at 6 to 9 ft. (1.8 – 2.7 m) and 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide.

New growth is soft and appears reddish-bronze before turning dark green. The skinny conifer is excellent for use as a small, slender evergreen tree for screening, hedges, and background plantings. Grow in USDA zones 4 through 8.

• USDA Zones: 4 to 8
• Size: 6 to 9 ft. (1.8 – 2.7 m) tall after some time, 2 to 4 ft. (0.6 – 1.2 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Spartan Juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’)

One of the most popular upright columnar conifers is the Spartan juniper. The narrow evergreen tree with fastigiate growth forms a stately, symmetrical pyramidal shape. The stunning, tall hedge plant has dense growth, ensuring privacy. The low-maintenance spartan juniper grows 15 to 20 ft. (4.5 – 6 m) tall and only 4 to 5 ft. (1.2 – 1.5 m) wide.

The drought-tolerant conifer in its natural form makes for an excellent formal accent tree or screen and requires little pruning. You can also plant the conifer as an evergreen privacy border or windbreak. Plant in USDA zones 5 to 10.

• USDA Zones: 5 to 10
• Size: 15 to 20 ft. (4.5 – 6 m) tall, 4 to 5 ft. (1.2 – 1.5 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Brodie Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana ‘Brodie’)

The stunning upright, narrow evergreen eastern red cedar ‘Brodie’ has characteristic lush, green feathery foliage. The attractive pyramidal tree with a fastigiate growth pattern is ideal for evergreen hedges, screens, or tall specimen trees. Due to its tall, skinny growth, this juniper might also be called the pencil juniper. The slender conical conifer grows 30 to 45 ft. (9 – 13 m) tall and up to 12 ft. (3.5 m) wide.

Plant the ‘Brodie’ eastern red cedar in full sun in USDA zones 6 through 9.

• USDA Zones: 6 to 9
• Size: 25 ft. (7.5 m) tall, 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Well-drained soil

Thin Evergreen Italian Cypress Tree (Cupressus sempervirens)

The elegant Italian cypress is an evergreen conifer with a distinctly narrow, columnar growth pattern. The tall, slender tree forms a recognizable exclamation point in the landscape. Its aromatic foliage come in short, flat, green to bluish sprays. You can plant the tall, columnar tree as a specimen or form a tall hedge. It can also be planted in groups to create a privacy screen.

The thin, narrow, tall Italian cypress grows 40 to 70 ft. (12 – 21 m) and 10 to 20 ft. (3 – 6 m) wide. It thrives in USDA zones 7 through 9.

• USDA Zones: 7 to 9
• Size: 40 to 70 ft. (12 – 21 m) tall, 10 to 20 ft. (3 – 6 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Hicks Yew (Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’)

The Hicks yew is a tall, slender evergreen tree with a narrow, columnar habit and glossy, dark green needle leaves. The skinny, columnar evergreen grows 10 to 12 ft. (3 – 3.6 m) tall with a spread of 4 ft (1.2 m).

The tree’s slender growth makes it ideal for tall hedges, privacy screens, or growing in containers at a doorway. Its columnar growth also makes it perfect for accenting the corner of a house.

Plant the slow-growing Hicks yew in USDA zones 4 through 7 in full sun for best results.

• USDA Zones: 4 to 7
• Size: 10 to 12 ft. (3 – 3.6 m) tall, 4 ft (1.2 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil

Tall Evergreen Colorado Blue Spruce ‘Fastigiata’ (Picea pungens ‘Fastigiata’)

The Colorado blue spruce cultivar ‘Fastigiata’ is an excellent choice for growing a tall, columnar evergreen tree. The conifer has a distinct pyramidal growth pattern and columnar habit. The spruce ‘Fastigiata’ cultivar doesn’t grow as wide as the species tree. The conical evergreen is ideal for planting in a compact garden.

The spectacular narrow, columnar blue spruce grows 20 ft. (6 m) tall and has a spread of 4 ft. (1.2 m) after ten years.

• USDA Zones: 2 to 7
• Size: 20 ft. (6 m) tall, 4 ft. (1.2 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Slightly acidic, well-drained soil

Colorado Spruce ‘Koster’ (Picea pungens ‘Koster’)

The Colorado Spruce ‘Koster’ cultivar is a medium-sized, evergreen conifer with an elegant, neat, conical shape and an open branching habit. The attractive, slender tree has distinctive silvery-blue needles that turn silver in summer. This slow-growing spruce grows up to 15 ft. (4.5 m) tall and 5 ft. (1.5 m) wide.

The striking silvery blue spruce thrives in full sun and keeps its needle leaves throughout the year. Plant in USDA zones 2 through 8.

• USDA Zones: 2 to 8
• Size: 33 to 49 ft. (10 – 15 m) tall, 8 to 13 ft. (2.4 – 4 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil

Japanese False Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Soft Serve’)

The Japanese cypress ‘Soft Serve’ is a compact coniferous tree with feathery, bright green sprays that have silvery specks on the undersides. The attractive slender evergreen has a pyramidal shape and works best as a specimen tree, hedge, or foundation planting. The evergreen cypress grows 6 to 10 ft. (1.8 – 3 m) tall with a spread of 5 – 6 ft. (1.5 – 1.8 m).

Also called the Sawara cypress, the evergreen conifer thrives in USDA zones 4 through 8.

• USDA Zones: 4 to 8
• Size: 6 to 10 ft. (1.8 – 3 m) tall, 5 to 6 ft. (1.5 – 1.8 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Well-drained, moist soil

Dragon Lady Holly (Ilex × aquipernyi ‘Meschick’)

The dragon lady holly is an evergreen shrub-like tree with a densely branched, pyramidal growth habit. The holly tree has characteristic spiny leaves and a dense form. Due to its spiky foliage, the evergreen tree is ideal as a privacy barrier, security screen, foundation planting, or a specimen plant.

Plant this columnar evergreen tree in full sun or partial shade in USDA zones 5 through 7. A dragon lady holly barrier or hedge plant grows 20 ft. (6 m) tall and 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m) wide. Its impressive stature and dense canopy make it a superb option for growing as a privacy screen.

• USDA Zones: 6 to 8
• Size: 20 ft. (6 m) tall, 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun to shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’)

The evergreen sky pencil holly is a thin, narrow, slender evergreen tree. The compact growth and the fastigiate branching pattern make this pencil-thin shrub ideal as a columnar specimen tree or focal point. In addition, the sky pencil holly has characteristic glossy, dark green foliage. It works well as a narrow hedge or privacy screen.

The thin evergreen shrub-like tree has ultra-narrow growth and grows 6 to 10 ft. (1.8 – 3 m) tall and less than 3 ft. (1 m) wide. Grow in USDA zones 6 through 8.

• USDA Zones: 6 to 8
• Size: 6 and 10 ft. (1.8 – 3 m) tall, 1 to 3 ft. (0.3 – 0.9 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil

Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)

The Smaragd arborvitae is an evergreen columnar tree that gives visual appeal to your landscaped garden. These narrow arborvitae semi-dwarf trees have light green, feather foliage. Slow-growing and easy to grow, the cultivar’s name, ‘Smaragd,’ is Danish for emerald. This skinny evergreen tree has a narrow, conical shape and can reach a height 7 to 15 ft. (2 – 4.5 m) and a spread of 3 to 4 ft. (0.9 – 1.2 m).

Also called ‘Emerald Green’ arborvitae, you can grow Smaragd evergreen conifer trees in containers at your entrance, or plant the trees together to create a dense privacy hedge in full sun in USDA zones 2 to 7. ‘Emerald Green’ arborvitaes are ideal foundation plants, shrub borders, windbreaks, or living fences.

• USDA Zones: 2 to 7
• Size: 7 to 15 ft. (2 – 4.5 m) tall, 3 to 4 ft. (0.9 – 1.2 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil

Dwarf Narrow Evergreen Trees (With Pictures)

Narrow Dwarf Alberta Spruce Tree (Picea glauca ‘Conica’)

The dwarf evergreen Alberta spruce is an excellent choice for planting a short, compact columnar tree. The short-statured spruce is a slow-growing conifer, ideal for growing as a privacy hedge, container plant, or foundation plant. The small evergreen spruce tree has a natural pyramidal shape with dense needle-like leaves.

The Alberta spruce is an evergreen columnar tree that thrives in USDA zones 2 to 6. The evergreen foliage grows in a cone shape and consists of blue-green needles. After ten years, the dwarf evergreen grows 3 to 4 ft. (1 – 1.2 m) and 1.5 ft. (0.5 m) wide. A great feature of this plant is its cold hardiness down to -40°F (-40°C).

• USDA Zones: 2 to 6
• Size: 3 to 4 ft. (90 – 120 cm) tall after 10 years, 1.5 to 2 ft. (0.4 – 0.6 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Common Juniper ‘Gold Cone’ (Juniperus communis ‘Gold Cone’)

The Juniper ‘Gold Cone’ is a slow-growing small evergreen with an upright, columnar growing pattern. The attractive landscape tree is identified by its bright, golden yellow springtime foliage, which turns blue-green in wintertime. The dense, erect, columnar juniper grows 3 to 5 ft. (1 – 1.5 m) tall and has a spread of 2 ft. (0.6 m).

The semi-dwarf columnar juniper ‘Gold Cone’ thrives in USDA zones 5 through 7. The cone-shaped evergreen with its dense, bright green foliage is ideally planted as a foundation planting, specimen tree, or border.

• USDA Zones: 5 to 7
• Size: 3 to 5 ft. (1 – 1.5 m) tall, 2 ft. (0.6 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, moist soil

Semi-Dwarf Evergreen Arborvitae ‘Filips Magic Moment’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Filips Magic Moment’)

The evergreen dwarf ‘Filips Magic Moment’ arborvitae is a dense, cone-shaped conifer with golden yellow foliage. The low-growing arborvitae has a neat, pyramidal shape and provides visual interest throughout the year. The yellow columnar conifer grows 6 to 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m) tall and 3 ft. (1 m) wide.

The yellow-leafed ‘Filips Magic Moment’ arborvitae is perfect for planting near entryways in containers or as a brightly colored, dense hedgerow. It keeps its conical shape without needing pruning.

Plant the semi-dwarf ‘Filips Magic Moment’ arborvitae in USDA zones 3 through 7 in full or part sun.

• USDA Zones: 3 to 7
• Size: 6 to 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m) tall, 3 ft. (1 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full to part sun
• Soil: Well-drained, organically fertile, moist soil

Japanese Plum Yew ‘Fastigiata’ (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’)

The Japanese plum yew is a dwarf evergreen shrub-like tree with an upward branching habit and slender growth pattern. The small columnar evergreen tree is recognized by its narrow shape and long dark green arching needles. The attractive year-long green foliage creates a beautiful privacy screen, windbreak, or focal point at the back of a mixed border.

After ten years, the upright, narrow Japanese plum yew grows around 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall and 3 ft. (1 m) wide. Plant it in USDA zones 5 through 9.

• USDA Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall, 3 ft. (1 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun to full shade
• Soil: Sandy, well-drained soil

Pencil Point Juniper (Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’)

The pencil point juniper is a narrow evergreen dwarf conifer with a columnar growing pattern. The dense evergreen multi-stemmed tree has prickly, silver-blue foliage. The small conifer is ideal in garden landscapes to grow as a hardy foundation plant, low-growing hedge, or accent plant for small spaces.

The compact, dwarf columnar juniper grows 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 1 m) tall and up to 2 ft. (0.6 m) wide. The cold-hardy evergreen thrives in USDA zones 2 through 9.

• USDA Zones: 2 to 6
• Size: 2 to 3 ft. (0.6 – 0.9 m) tall, 1 to 2 ft. (0.3 – 0.6 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil

Mugo Pine ‘Fastigiata’ (Pinus mungo ‘Fastigiata’)

The mugo pine ‘Fastigiata’ is a columnar evergreen tree with upright growth patterns and rich green foliage. The semi-dwarf landscaping tree with its fastigiate habit has an attractive narrow shape. However, as a slow-growing conifer, the evergreen only increases in height at a rate of 6” (15 cm) per year.

The mugo pine ‘Fastigiata’ cultivar matures at 6 ft. (1.8 m) tall with a spread of 2 ft. (0.6 m). Plant in USDA zones 2 through 7 in full sun or partial sun.

• USDA Zones: 2 to 7
• Size: 6 ft. (1.8 m) tall, 2 ft spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun to partial sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil

‘Blue Heaven’ Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Blue Heaven’)

The ‘Blue Heaven’ juniper tree is a narrow, evergreen conifer with beautiful silver-blue foliage. Its branches are fastigiate, giving the tree a narrow, pyramidal shape. Some other identifying features include dark blue cones and reddish-brown, peeling bark.

Some landscaping ideas for the ‘Blue Heaven’ juniper include planting as a privacy screen or sound barrier. The tree’s attractive foliage color and shape also make it a great choice as an individual focal point or specimen plant. Additionally, the tree is tolerant of poor soils and drought conditions.

• USDA Zones: 4 to 7
• Size: 10 to 20 ft. (3 – 6 m) tall, 5 to 10 ft. (1.5 – 3 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained soil

Columnar Norway Spruce (Picea abies ‘Cupressina’)

The columnar Norway spruce is an evergreen, narrow tree that reaches up to 23 ft. (7 m) in height. The tree has stiff, fastigiate branches and needle-like, blue-green leaves. The tree also grows small, cylindrical, pinkish-red cones that turn a brown shade in summer.

The columnar Norway spruce is perfect for adding a vertical element to parks or larger gardens. Its dense foliage makes it a great choice for planting as a noise buffer or evergreen privacy screen. The spruce’s graceful shape and evergreen presence make it a superb, easy-to-care-for option for landscaping projects seeking both beauty and functionality.

• USDA Zones: 3 to 8
• Size: 19.6 to 23 ft. (6 – 7 m) tall, 6 ft. (1.8 m) spread
• Light Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Related articles:

• Types of Arborvitaes: Hedges, Trees and Shrubs
• Small or Dwarf Evergreen Trees
• Types of Coniferous Trees