RCW Nurseries

Garden and Landscape

(281) 440-5161

Trees get grades?

          Trees, like many other commodities, have standards and grades. Trees are measured in several ways. 

  1. Pot size, which is usually measured in gallons. RCW uses a   #   sign instead of the word gallon.
  2. Height is the real height of the plant…and NEVER includes the soil in the pot. 
  3. Spread is the average width of the branches. 
  4. Caliper is the diameter of the trunk, measured at 6 inches above the  soil line, on trees that measure 4″ caliper or smaller.  Over 4″ caliper trees are measured 1 foot from the soil line.
  5. Grade is a level of plant quality that meets minimum standards.  Over all shape, how straight the trunk is for some species, large gaps, weak unions or crotches and damage to the trunk are the types of things that affect grade. Grade #1 trees are the best. Trees that are graded at #1 1/2  have issues that they may be able to over come if you know what they need and take care of it. If you just need a bunch of cheap trees, #2 grade may work for you.

    The chart below, provides the standard information you need to when picking out trees. If the tree you’re looking at is far larger than these guidelines, it may have been in the pot too long and have problems down the road. If the tree is far under these standards, you may not be getting what you paid for. That said, there are always exceptions to the rules. Understanding the nature of the variety you’re looking at, is important.   For instance, a #15 Texas Mountain Laurel will be very short…perhaps 4 feet tall. They grow VERY slowly. A #15  Sycamore will be at the high-end and probably seem  to be over sized, but will have a smaller caliper.     

 

       Shade and Ornamental Trees

POT SIZE                                 CALIPER             HEIGHT         SPREAD            

 #15 1 1/4-1 1/2 6′-8′ 2 1/2′-3′  
#30 2″ – 2 1/2″ 8′ -10′ 4′ –  5′   
#45 2 1/2″ – 3″ 10′ – 12′ 5′ – 6′  
#65 3″ – 3 1/2″ 12′ – 14′ 6′ – 7′  
#95 4″ – 4 1/2″ 14′ – 16′ 7′ – 8′  

 

 

         Flowering Ornamental Trees

 POT SIZE                                CALIPER            HEIGHT          SPREAD            

# 15  1″ – 1 1/4″ 5′ – 7′ 3′ – 4′  
#30 1 1/2″ – 2″ 6 ‘- 8’ 4′ –  5′   
#45 2″ – 2 1/2″ 8’+ 5’+  

 

     Clump or Multi-cane Trees
           
Pot Size Height Spread      
# 15  6 ‘- 8’ 2 1/2′ – 3′      
#30 8′ -10′ 4′ –  5′       
#45 10′ – 12′ 5′      
#65 12′ – 14′ 6’+      

Information provided by the Southeast Texas Nursery Growers’ Association