The Davey Guide to Plant Health Care

Trees come in all shapes and sizes, so knowing your growth rate and habit is important!

Before you plant, it’s important to be aware of the shape and rate of growth of the trees you are planting and how they may affect your property. The chart above shows characteristic shapes of 10-year-old trees under average conditions in most parts of North America where they are found.

Factors That Influence Tree Growth Include:

• Light. Trees planted close together grow tall, seeking the light. Isolated trees grow wider.
• Soil. Rich, well-aerated soils encourage growth, while poor, arid or compacted soils discourage it.
• Seasons. Shorter growing seasons limit growth as you move north.
• Transplanting. Transplant shock limits tree growth for several seasons. Generally, larger trees need more time to overcome this.

Illustrations reproduced with permission from The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL, www.mortonarb.org