Tree sizing at Greenwood
A guide to specifying tree heights and girths
At Greenwood, we grow and supply a wide range of well-established trees to help create instant impact in planting schemes. Choosing the right tree for the site is key, and so is proper care during planting. While many contractors understand the importance of timing and conditions, trees need careful handling to thrive. They take years to grow, so it’s vital to give them the best chance to settle in and succeed.
Tree sizes explained
Whips
A whip is a young, bare root tree with a single, slender stem and minimal side branching. This form is common in the early stages of growth and reflects the tree’s natural development. Some species branch earlier than others, but many whips are planted to encourage strong root establishment and allow shaping as they mature. They are ideal for mass planting and are often used in hedging, woodland, or shelterbelt schemes.
Feathered Trees
A feathered tree has a strong, upright central leader with evenly spaced side branches that extend down towards the base, depending on the species. This natural form encourages a well-balanced shape and full structure from top to bottom, making feathered trees ideal for creating immediate visual impact and promoting healthy, even growth as they establish.
Standard Trees
A standard tree has a clear, upright stem with no side branches on the lower section, topped by a well-formed crown. The crown may have a central leader or a balanced, open head, depending on the species. Standard trees are supplied in a range of sizes (shown above) to suit different schemes, and the larger the tree, the greater the instant impact on the landscape. This form is ideal for avenues, feature planting, or anywhere a strong, defined structure is needed.
Standard Tree Sizes
Tree type
- Light Standard (LS)
- Standard (S)
- Select Standard (SS)
- Heavy Standard (HS)
- Extra Heavy Standard (EHS)
Tree girth (cm)
- 6-8cm girth
- 8-10cm girth
- 10-12cm girth
- 12-14cm girth
- 14-16cm girth
Tree height (cm)
- 200-250cm
- 250-300cm
- 300-350cm
- 300-350cm
- 350-400cm