By choosing small, you don't have to water as much or deal with flying branches in a storm. Encouraging the trees to make canopies of leaves just over your head increases the coolness of the shade. Choosing a fruit tree means that in some years, at least, you might get a crop. Terra cotta or clay pots are almost worthless for container gardening in our climate. The water evaporates through the pot.
Plastic tubs work much better.
Wooden half-barrels are good for container gardening if you waterproof them first to prevent water from evaporating out the sides. Mowing can save water. Mowing your property before the grasses set their seeds creates a climate for the grass to return. You will create a yard of mostly tough grasses that don't require extra water other than the rain. The trick is to mow high and not often.