Figure 1: Seedling SEEDLING

Seedlings are defined as "woody plants which have been grown from seed and not transplanted."

Seedlings may be undercut without being transplanted.

Transplants, which are older and typically more robust, are more widely used in landscape planting than seedlings.

Figure 2: Cutting CUTTINGS

Cuttings are defined as "woody plants from shoots, stems or roots of a mother plant."

Plants raised from cuttings retain the name Cuttings when sold until they are transplanted.

Cuttings are usually grown from hardwood stem cuttings, planted out in late autumn and sold after growing for one or two years. Populus spp., Salix spp. are typically grown from hardwood cuttings and bought as one or two year old plants for landscape planting. Salix spp., particularly, can also be bought as unrooted cuttings or wands from specialist suppliers.

Figure 3: Transplant TRANSPLANTS (and undercut seedlings)

Transplants are defined as ‘‘seedlings or cuttings which have been transplanted at least once’’. The term usually refers to plants which are two or three years old.

In transplanting the main roots are cut back to encourage a fibrous root system and the ‘transplant’ is replanted at a wider spacing. Undercutting severs the main roots in situ, thereby encouraging the development of a fibrous root system without transplanting. Transplants are very popular for extensive landscape planting of seed or cutting propagated trees.

e.g. Alnus glutinosa, Quercus robur, Betula pendula, Crataegus monogyna and many others.

Figure 4: Whip WHIPS

Whips are defined as ‘‘transplants consisting of only a single slender stem, without significant side branching.’’

The form of a whip reflects the natural characteristics of the plant. Some species are well branched from a young age (e.g. Betula pendula, Alnus glutinosa) whereas others are more ‘whip-like’ (e.g. Acer platanoides, Prunus avium). The term usually refers to woody plants which are between two and four years old. The nursery practice of removing side branching to create a whip is to be discouraged and it is recommended that species which are naturally feathery are specified as feathered trees, at a small size.

Figure 5: Feathered tree FEATHERED TREES

Feathered trees are defined as ‘‘trees usually with an upright central leading shoot and a stem furnished with evenly spread and balanced lateral growths down to near ground level, according to species.’’

The form of a feathered tree reflects the natural characteristics of the plant. Some species are well branched from a young age (e.g. Betula pendula, Alnus glutinosa) whereas others are more ‘whip-like’ (e.g. Acer platanoides, Prunus avium). No age limit.

Figure 6: Madien fruit tree
(Egremont Russet) MAIDENS

A maiden tree can be defined as ‘‘a low worked woody plant in which the scion has grown for one season.

The term maiden usually refers to fruit trees which have been propagated vegetatively by grafting a bud or scion on to a rootstock. The term could equally apply to other commercially grown ornamental trees which are cultivars or clones and are propagated by budding or grafting.

Figure 7: Standard tree Clear stem STANDARDS

Standard trees are defined as ‘‘trees with a substantially upright stem, clean of lateral growths, supporting a branched crown. The crown may have a central leader or branched head, and branching appropriate for species or cultivar, with no main branches crossing in the crown.’’

Additional description as stated by the specifier in agreement with the supplier.

Standards are available in a range of accepted forms which relates to size: Half, Light, Standard, Selected, Heavy, Extra Heavy. (See Summary of Specification Criteria for typical dimensions). Weeping trees are also available in Standard Form, but in this case, the OVERALL HEIGHT does not apply.

Figure 8: Semi mature tree
(Metasequoia glyptostroboide SEMI-MATURE TREES

Semi mature trees are defined as ‘‘trees with an overall height in excess of 5 metres and/or stem girth measure of 20 centimetres or larger.’’

Additional description as stated by the specifier in agreement with the supplier.

Semi mature trees are likely to be more than ten years old at the time of sale. Many are more than fifteen years old.

Figure 9: MULTI STEMMED TREE
(Betula utilis jacquemontii 'Doorenbos' MULTI-STEMMED TREES

Multi stemmed trees are defined as ‘‘trees with two or more main stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system. ‘‘

Additional description as stated by the specifier in agreement with the supplier.

Sometimes two or more trees, with separate root systems are grown together to form a ‘multi stem’. This may be specified in ‘Additional Description’ but must be indicated by the grower since it differs from the definition.

Figure 10: BUSHY TREE
(Acer campestre) BUSHY TREES

Bushy trees are defined as ‘‘trees with many main stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system that have been transplanted and grown on to a size in excess of 2.5 metres.’’

Additional description as stated by the specifier in agreement with the supplier

These trees can be useful for giving immediate scale and mass in a ‘natural’ /coppiced form. Typically bushy trees of the following species can be found: Acer campestre, Alnus glutinosa, Salix alba, Crataegus spp, and others.