Choosing trees for a Japanese garden can be as much of a major consideration as other design elements, like architectural features -- bridges, tea houses, pagoda-like structures -- and hardscaping. Trees in Japanese landscaping may be chosen for different reasons, including:

• Color
• Structure
• Dramatic form

Whether you're starting with a clean slate or modifying an existing garden there are a few important things to keep in mind when planning a Japanese garden:

1. The size of your property
2. Climate and micro-climates within your outdoor space, along with areas of shade and sun
3. The growth potential of the tree in question, both height and canopy width
4. Use and placement of colors and form and how they relate to one another and other design features
5. How the tree will relate to other structures and hardscaping, including buildings, gravel, decks, patios, pools and other water features.

Do your research. Visit a nearby Japanese botanical garden or consult a book on Japanese gardens for inspiration and design advice.The following trees are traditionally used in Japanese landscape design and have one or more qualities that might make them a good selection for your yard.

•Aleppo Pine

Botanical name:Pinus halepensis
Good for: garden structure
Why it's good in a Japanese Garden: Aleppo pines are Mediterranean natives that work well in Japanese gardens located in California or the Southwest because they are heat- and drought-tolerant. The Aleppo can be identified by its short, bright green needles that occur in bundles of two that are somewhat sparse on short, upright branches. In a residential setting, can reach heights of 30 feet or more; keep this in mind if you have a small yard.More »

•Briott's Red Horsechestnut

Aesculus x carnea 'Briottii'
Good for: Color accent
Why it's good in a Japanese garden: A hybrid between the European horsechestnut and the red horsechestnut, Briott's has an oval / round crown and dark green, glossy palmate leaves. Starting in late spring, panicles of fragrant bright rose-red flowers create a stunning display in the Japanese garden. Briott's requires average water and is not drought resistant.More »

•Crape Myrtle

Botanical name:Lagerstroemia indica
Good for: Color accent
Why it's good in a Japanese garden: Homeowners who live in dry climates may like crape myrtles for their drought resistance. They are also long-lived and are fairly free of disease and insects. When in bloom, colors range from red and pink to lavender and white. Mature trees can take on an attractive vase shape and have a smooth or exfoliating bark.More »

•Dogwood

Botanical Name: Cornus
Good for: Color accent
Why it's Good in a Japanese Garden: Depending on the species, dogwood can be a tree, shrub or subshrub. Some species' branches are yellow or red -- a great infusion of color, especially in a winter landscape. The dogwood's leaves are particularly colorful in the fall. Appropriately, dogwoods are natives to China, Japan and Korea.More »

•Flowering Cherry

Botanical name:Prunus serrulata
Good for: Color accent
Why it's good in a Japanese garden: Depending on the variety, the flowering cherry (aka Japanese flowering cherry, Oriental cherry, hill cherry, east Asian cherry) can grow 15 to 40 feet in height. When mature, flowering cherry trees are V-shaped or rounded.Their shiny grayish-brown bark can reflect light, which adds color, especially in winter.More »

•Ginkgo

Botanical name: Ginkgo biloba
Good for: Dramatic form
Why it's good in a Japanese garden: Also known as the maidenhair tree, ginkgos are ancient trees identifiable by crowns that consist of sparse branches that are covered with unusual lobed, fan-shaped leaves that are unlike any other trees or plants, for that matter. The ginkgo looks beautiful in a Japanese-style landscape.More »

•Goldenrain Tree

Botanical name:Koelreuteria paniculata
Good for: Color accent
Why it's good in a Japanese garden: Native to eastern Asia, Goldenrains produce clusters of showy yellow flowers during the summer months, and are drought resistant. After flowers bloom, papery seed capsules form and are on the tree for several months, adding color, texture and giving the appearance of flowers from a distance.More »

•Hawthorn

Botanical name:Crataegus
Good for: Color accent
Why it's good in a Japanese garden: Hawthorns are dense shrubs or small trees that can grow up to 25 feet in height. They have a pyramidal form to about 20 feet, then their crowns expand to become oval or irregular. In spring, white or pink flowers emerge, and the tree provides beautiful fall color. The main ornamental feature is white or pink flowers borne in spring. Versatile, this tree can be used for screening, bonsai or espalier.More »

•Italian Stone Pine

Botanical name:Pinus pinea
Good for: Garden structure
Why it's good in a Japanese garden:Also known as an umbrella pine or stone pine, this tree has a broad, somewhat flattened round canopy. While it has the potential to reach 80 feet or taller, most reach heights of 35 to 45 feet. Needles are evergreen and fragrant. Italian stone pines are drought tolerant and require little pruning.
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•Japanese Maple

Botanical name:Acer palmatum
Good for: Form and as a color accent
Why it's good in a Japanese garden: They are strikingly beautiful in color and form. If you know anything about Japanese maples, there are literally thousands from which to choose. The varieties with red leaves turn red in fall, while the green-leafed types turn yellow ororange. Some are full or half leafed, while others are weeping or upright.More »