9 Best Trees To Grow in a Pot

Why Grow Trees in Pots

Growing trees in pots may seem like a slap in the face to nature. After all, trees are supposed to grow big and dominate the landscape, right? Not so fast. Plenty of dwarf tree specimens are well suited to growing in pots. They don’t take up a lot of space, and they offer renters — as well as homeowners — the chance to have a tree in their landscape, albeit a portable one. Potted trees can warm up an entryway or add ambience to a porch, patio or deck. They also make nice gifts for special occasions, such as births and anniversaries.

Maintenance considerations

It’s easy to grow a tree in a container as long as you follow a few simple steps.

• Select a dwarf variety (they’re better suited to containers and won’t require as much pruning) or a treeform shrub, which is pruned into a single-trunk.
• Use a large container. It aids tree growth, allowing for a bigger root mass that better withstands erratic watering.
• Fill the container with a potting mix containing moisture-retentive crystals to capture more irrigation water.
• Water regularly. A pot-grown tree needs more frequent watering than one planted in the ground.
• Winter protection is needed in cold climates. Store dormant deciduous trees in an attached garage, keeping the rootball slightly moist. Return it outdoors in spring. Evergreens still need light in winter, so unless the garage has a window, it’s best to “heel in” a potted evergreen. This means temporarily burying the tree’s roots in the ground for the winter and mulching heavily. Return the tree to its pot in spring.