Tree Types and Profiles
We are always happy to offer advice and help you select the right tree for your tree planting project.
There are many different species and types of trees available to choose from, all with their own unique characteristics, making it sometimes a little overwhelming when deciding which tree to plant.
Firstly there is the option of deciduous, evergreen or coniferous.
Deciduous
Deciduous trees will lose all their leaves and needles in the Winter with fresh new leaves appearing in the Spring. Many deciduous trees give a spectacular display of reds, purple, oranges and crimson in the Autumn before losing their foliage.
Evergreen
Although evergreen trees shed some needles and leaves during the year, they do not appear to lose their foliage and remain evergreen throughout the year. Excellent trees for screening and adding Winter interest to the landscape.
Coniferous
Coniferous trees are usually evergreen and have needle-like leaves for example Pine or Fir trees; although there are some exceptions, like the larch tree which will lose it’s foliage in the Winter.
Next you have to decide on the specification of your tree, trees are available in many different shapes and sizes.
Standard Trees
A standard tree is one with a upright clear stem with no lateral growth/branches. Generally the clear stem is 1.8-2m, although you can have ½ standard and ¼ standard trees with shorter clear stems. A standard tree is measured by girth, the circumference of the trunk measured 1m from ground level.
Feathered Trees
Feathered trees generally have a upright leading stem with evenly spaced lateral branches often down to almost ground level. These trees are mostly measured by height rather than girth and in 50cm increments.
Multistem Trees
Multistem trees have two or more stems growing from ground level from one root system. Multistem trees are also measured by height.
Pleached Trees
A pleached tree has a single stem with lateral growth trained on to a vertical frame and clipped to create a panel. Pleached trees are often used for screening.
Roof Shaped Trees
A single stemmed tree with its central leader and branches trained over a horizontal frame and clipped to create a roof effect.
Boxed Shaped Trees
A single stemmed tree with its lateral growth trained to create a box.
Umbrella Trees
A mature multistem tree where the lateral growth is pruned from the lower parts of the main stem to create an umbrella form and raise the canopy of the tree.
Instant Hedging
Individual plants that are clipped to create a dense form and planted close together to make an instant hedge.
Topiary
Topiary is created by clipping and guiding trees and shrubs into sculptural shapes.
Tree Sizes
All trees are grown to conform to certain nursery specifications, these can be rather ambiguous. This chart will give some guidance, but we are also here to help and advise.
Tree Girth
Standard trees are measured in girth, which is the circumference of the trunk measured one metre from ground level. The girth of the tree gives a good indication of the maturity of the tree. Feathered and multistem trees are measured in heights.
The girth to height ratio can vary between species, this chart is an approximate guide to tree sizes.
| Tree Girth | Nursery Specification | Height |
| 8-10cmg | Standard | 2.5-3m |
| 10-12cmg | Select Standard | 3-3.5m |
| 12-14cmg | Heavy Standard | 3-4m |
| 14-16cmg | Extra Heavy Standard | 3-4m |
| 16-18cmg | Extra Heavy Standard | 4-4.5m |
| 18-20cmg | Extra Heavy Standard | 4-5m |
| 20-25cmg | Semi Mature | 4.5-5.5m |
| 25-30cmg | Semi Mature | 5-6m |
| 30-35cmg | Semi Mature | 5.5-6.5m |
| 35-40cmg | Semi Mature | 6-7m |
| 40-45cmg | Semi Mature | 6.5-7.5m |
| 45-50cmg | Semi Mature | 7-8m |
| 50-60cmg | Super Semi Mature | 7-9m |
| 60-70cmg | Super Semi Mature | 8-9m |
| 70-80cmg | Super Semi Mature | 8-10m |
| 80-90cmg | Super Semi Mature | 9-11m |
| 90-100cmg | Super Semi Mature | 10-12m |
| 100-110cmg | Super Semi Mature | 10-12m + |
And Lastly – Rootballed or Containerised
Rootballed Trees –
Field grown trees which are lifted using specialised machinery and the rootball is wrapped in hessian and wire which is left on when planting the tree and degrades over time. Rootballed trees are lifted when the tree is dormant between October and April.
Containerised Trees
Trees grown in containers and can be planted at any time of the year.
Air-Pot Trees
Trees which are grown in air -pots and can be planted at any time of the year.
These trees are removed for the air-pot and rootballed before leaving the nursery ready for planting.
