7 Best Globe Trees for Your Landscape

Globe-shaped trees are a fantastic way to add structure and style to smaller yards. They offer a clean, manicured look without taking up too much real estate. But which varieties actually work best? Here’s a look at the most popular globe trees for your landscape.

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++Globe Norway Maple (Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’)

Most maples eventually turn into towering giants. However, with the right variety and a little pruning, you can keep that classic look in a compact, spherical shape. The ‘Globosum’ variety is your best bet here—it’s often sold specifically as a Globe Maple. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a tree with beautiful, distinctive foliage that stays manageable.

++Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)

Oaks are legendary for their rugged growth and majestic canopies. Interestingly, the natural growth habit of the Pin Oak already leans toward a rounded shape, making it a perfect candidate for a globe tree. Oaks are symbols of endurance and can live for generations. Even when kept as a smaller globe tree, this plant can be a lifelong companion in your garden, offering timeless beauty year after year.

++Dwarf Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

If you’re working with a really tight space, the Dwarf Arborvitae is the way to go. This evergreen features dense, soft needles and stays quite low to the ground. It’s a hardy plant that can handle heavier soils, though you’ll want to make sure it has good drainage to avoid “wet feet.” Other than that, it’s a low-maintenance beauty that holds its shape exceptionally well with minimal trimming.

++Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba ‘Mariken’)

The Ginkgo tree is a living fossil and a symbol of friendship. Its unique, fan-shaped leaves are instantly recognizable and have inspired artists and poets for centuries. By choosing the ‘Mariken’ cultivar, you get all that history in a compact, globe-like form. This dwarf variety usually won’t grow much taller than six feet, so it’ll never overwhelm your garden.

++Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)