Supply - Choosing the right tree for the job


What size do you require?

In general large deciduous trees are sold according to their girth size; this is the circumference of the stem measured 1 metre above ground level. Evergreen trees, or those which have branches to below one metre (these are known as feathered specimens) are sold according to their height.

There are some exceptions, but there is a general correlation between the girth of a tree and its height.

Height Girth Chart
Girth (cm)
Height (m)
16/18
4.0 – 4.5
18/20
4.0 – 5.0
20/25
4.5 – 5.5
25/30
5.0 – 6.0
30/35
5.5 – 6.5
35/40
6.0– 7.0
40/45
6.5 – 7.5
45/50
7.0 – 8.0
50/60
8.0 – 9.0
60+
9.0+

The greater the girth the greater the spread. As trees grow, the branch structure grows too as each year more leaves become shoots, shoots become twigs, twigs become branches and so on. This means that, as well as being taller, a tree with a 30/35cm girth will have a more developed and denser crown than a 18/20cm specimen.

The type of tree will have a bearing on its spread, i.e the diameter of the crown or canopy. To aid transport, trees are trimmed in the nursery to keep the spread of their branches to a reasonable size.


Colour

Trees are a great way to bring colour to your landscape, with green, red and yellow trees commonly available. Add to this an amazing array of Autumn colour choices, and you can have a living palette of changing colour from Spring through to the onset of Winter.

In the Winter months use pines, conifers and cedars to maintain form and definition and enjoy deciduous trees through their bark colour and structure.