Customer Q&A: Do I Need a Large Yard to Plant My Gift Tree?
One of the questions we hear most often at Little Saps is: “What happens next after I receive my gift tree?”
Many people receive a Little Saps tree during an especially meaningful moment—a memorial, celebration, milestone, encouragement gift, or simply a reminder that someone is thinking about them. Naturally, once the tree arrives, recipients want to make sure they care for it well and help it thrive for years to come.
Recently, we received a thoughtful email from a customer named Agy, who loved the memorial tree she received but worried that her yard might not be large enough for it long term. Her question is one we hear often, so we wanted to share part of our conversation here in case it helps others wondering the same thing:
“I really do want to make sure I’m able to properly care for and keep this tree as a lasting part of our home.”
The good news is that you do not need a huge yard to enjoy a gift tree. Many evergreen varieties can thrive in containers for years with the right care, giving families flexibility as their spaces, gardens, and lives evolve over time.
Dear Little Saps Team,
I hope you’re doing well. I recently received a memorial tree from your shop as a gift, and I just wanted to say how thoughtful and meaningful it is. It was such a kind surprise, and I really appreciate the care that went into it.
I did have a quick question about the variety that was sent. The tree I received is an Arizona Cypress, and after looking into it a bit more, I’m realizing it may grow much larger than what my yard can accommodate long term.
I would absolutely love to plant and keep this tree as intended, so I wanted to ask if there might be any possibility of exchanging it for a smaller variety (ideally something that stays around or under 15-20 feet at maturity), or if you have any recommendations that might be a better fit for a more limited space.
I completely understand if exchanges aren’t possible with live plants, but I figured I would reach out and ask. I really do want to make sure I’m able to properly care for and keep this tree as a lasting part of our home.
Thank you so much for your time, and for the meaningful work you do.
Warmly,
Agy S.
Hi Agy,
Thank you so much for your kind note. We are really glad to hear the tree was meaningful to receive—these gifts carry a lot of heart, and it means a lot to us to be part of that.
That’s a great question about the Arizona Cypress, and you’re absolutely right to think ahead about its long-term size. We don’t currently offer dwarf trees in any variety, so we wouldn’t have a smaller tree to exchange—but I do want to help you feel confident about how you can make this one work in your space.
The good news is that Arizona Cypress can be quite manageable depending on how it’s planted and cared for:
In the ground (residential landscapes): they often reach about 20–25 feet tall and around 15 feet wide over time
In a container: they stay much smaller—typically around 5–10 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide for several years, since the pot naturally limits growth
Growth rate in pots: moderate to fast (often 1–2+ feet per year)
Many people choose to keep them in a large container for this reason.
If you go that route, here are a few tips:
Use a large pot (about 1–3 gallons to start, depending on the size of the tree you received), and size up over time
Make sure there is excellent drainage (they don’t like wet roots)
Place in full sun to maintain shape and color
Use a soil mix that is ½ potting soil and ½ pine bark mulch—straight potting soil is often too dense for trees
Use a slow-release fertilizer (like Osmocote), and refresh every 6–12 months
Plan for occasional pruning and repotting, as they will become root-bound over time
Tip: Repotting as the tree grows is important. You never want the tree in a pot that’s too large, as excess soil can hold too much moisture and destroy the roots. Moving up gradually each year also gives you a chance to refresh the soil and nutrients.
If your goal is to eventually plant it in the ground but space is limited, you could enjoy it in a container for a number of years before deciding on a permanent location—or even rehoming it when the time comes.
I know it’s not quite the same as swapping for a smaller tree, but I hope this gives you a good path forward so you can still keep and enjoy it. And if you’d like, we are always happy to help think through placement or care based on your specific space.
Thank you again for reaching out—and for the care you’re putting into making this tree part of your home.
Warmly,
Carrie
Reflections on What to Do Once You Receive Your Gift Tree
We love hearing from customers who are thinking carefully about how to care for their tree in the best possible way. Many of our gift trees are sent during meaningful moments—memorials, celebrations, encouragement, milestones, or simply to let someone know they are loved. Because of that, recipients often want to make sure the tree stays healthy and becomes a lasting part of their home and life for years to come.
One of the biggest misconceptions about evergreen trees is that they must immediately be planted in the ground. In reality, many evergreen varieties can live happily in containers for years with proper care.
Container growing is a wonderful option for:
Smaller yards
Patios and porches
Apartments and townhomes
Temporary living situations
Families deciding where they eventually want to plant
Anyone who simply prefers the flexibility of a potted tree
For many people, the tree becomes part of a porch, entryway, garden space, or outdoor seating area long before it ever becomes a permanent landscape tree.
All of the evergreen varieties we offer at Little Saps respond similarly to the Arizona Cypress that Agy and I discussed above. While each variety has its own mature size and growth habit, many can be enjoyed in containers for years with proper care, gradual repotting, sunlight, and occasional pruning.
Here’s a picture of a potted Little Saps tree on our patio—a Norway spruce. We also added a Fraser fir from our Christmas tree farm, a stray river birch I picked up during a creek restoration project we recently participated in and some thyme that are fighting their way back from winter and a dry season.
We repotted everything a few weeks ago, and so far they all seem to be doing great. Next spring, I’ll either move some of them into slightly larger pots or, if they still seem comfortable in their current containers, simply refresh the soil and add a slow-release fertilizer to keep them healthy and growing well.
Tips for Tree Care & Planting
If you have questions about how to care for your Little Saps gift tree, we’ve put together a helpful Tree Care & Planting Guide with tips on watering, sunlight, planting, container care, and more.
But honestly—you can also just email us.
We’re always happy to help walk you through caring for your tree, whether you’re deciding where to plant it, wondering about container growing, or just trying to figure out what your tree needs next. One of the things we love most about Little Saps is getting to help people care for these meaningful gifts long after they arrive.
xoxo,
Carrie