List of Smallest Trees in the World

Sep 17, 2025, 20:03 IST

The smallest tree in the world is  Dwarf Willow (Salix herbacea), measuring 1-6 centimeters and found in Arctic regions. Despite its tiny size, it's botanically a tree due to its woody stem, followed by Crape Myrtle, Weeping Redbud and more. The pygmy weed has the smallest leaves in the world. Learn more about the top 10 smallest trees in the world.

Smallest Tree in the World
Smallest Tree in the World

Key Points

  • The world's smallest tree is Dwarf Willow (Salix herbacea).
  • The pygmy weed, a tiny succulent from California, has the smallest leaves in the world.
  • The height of the Dwarf Willow is 1-6 centimeters (0.4-2.4 inches), which is just to survive the cold and wind by staying close to the ground

Smallest Tree in the World: When we think of trees, the first image that comes to mind is usually something tall, leafy, and bulky over us. But you know,  not all trees are giants of the forest. Some are so small they barely could be seen and are mostly below your ankles length. Yes, and they are still considerd as tree and not plants. 

The world’s smallest tree exists, so let's find out and know about the top 5 smallest tress in the world, along with their height.

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List of Smallest Trees in the World

Here is the list of all the smallest trees in the world: 

RankCommon NameScientific NameAverage Mature Height
1 Dwarf Willow Salix herbacea 1 to 6 cm (0.4 to 2.4 inches)
2 Crape Myrtle Lagerstroemia indica 4 to 6 feet (dwarf varieties)
3 Weeping Redbud Cercis canadensis 'Ruby Falls' 6 to 8 feet
4 Dwarf Japanese Maple Acer palmatum 6 to 10 feet (dwarf varieties)
5 Sargent Crabapple Malus sargentii 6 to 10 feet
6 Dwarf Alberta Spruce Picea glauca 'Conica' 10 to 13 feet
7 Lollipop Crabapple Malus 'Lollizam' 8 to 10 feet
8 American Boxwood Buxus sempervirens 10 to 15 feet
9 Sweet Acacia Acacia farnesiana 15 to 20 feet
10 Serviceberry Amelanchier arborea 15 to 25 feet

1. Dwarf Willow (Salix herbacea)

The title for the smallest tree goes to Dwarf Willow (Salix herbacea). This little plant is so tiny that it is even smaller than your smartphone! It’s found mostly in the cold, Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including places like Greenland, Scandinavia, and parts of the Scottish Highlands.

Even though it looks more like a ground-hugging plant than a ‘tree,’ botanically, it still qualifies as one because it has a woody stem.

Dwarf Willow

2. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia Indica)

The Crape Myrtle is a popular small tree or shrub, known for its beautiful, crinkled flowers that look like crepe paper. It's a great choice for smaller yards or gardens because some types, called dwarf varieties, stay very short, typically growing to a height of only 4 to 6 feet. 

crepe myrtle

3. Weeping Redbud (Cercis Canadensis 'Ruby Falls')

The Weeping Redbud is a special type of small tree that is known for its graceful, drooping branches. It's like a small waterfall of branches. In the spring, before any leaves appear, it gets covered in beautiful, tiny, red-purple flowers right along its stems. This makes it look very unique and striking. It's a great tree for small yards because it doesn't get very tall, usually only growing to about 6 to 8 feet.

Redbud

What is the height of the smallest tree?

The height of the Dwarf Willow is 1-6 centimeters (0.4-2.4 inches), which is just to survive the cold and wind by staying close to the ground. In the Arctic and alpine regions where it grows, conditions are harsh, including cold temperatures most of the year, short growing seasons, strong winds that can rip taller plants apart, and more.

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Which tree has the smallest leaf in the World?

The pygmy weed, a tiny succulent from California, has the smallest leaves in the world. Each leaf is only about 1.3 millimeters long, the same size as a pinhead.

So, the answer to ‘Which is the smallest tree in the world?’ is simple: the Dwarf Willow (Salix herbacea). Standing just a few centimeters tall, it’s a true wonder of nature that shows us size isn’t everything. 

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Sneha Singh
Sneha Singh

Content Writer

    Sneha Singh is a US News Content Writer at Jagran Josh, covering major developments in international policies and global affairs. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Lucknow Campus. With over six months of experience as a Sub Editor at News24 Digital, Sneha brings sharp news judgment, SEO expertise and a passion for impactful storytelling.

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