Trees and shrubs, the ultimate battle of confusion and mixups, but today we will learn how they are individual and unique! Among all the differences, some similarities do occur. Trees and shrubs are both woody perennials. Many trees will be obvious and clear that they are trees, but some may confuse you, as “trubs” exist.
Many people judge trees and shrubs based on height. However, don’t depend on the height to tell a shrub versus a tree because there can be short trees and tall shrubs with a few exceptions. Depending on the tree’s and shrub’s needs, what environment it is in, and a trees or shrubs growth rate, a shrub might actually be taller than a tree.
The main difference is that a tree will have one main stem, while shrubs are multi-stemmed. Trees have a single stem, called a trunk and their first branches are several feet off of the ground. Generally trees are over 12 feet in height and have a nice full round canopy, whereas shrubs are multi-stemmed and under 12 feet tall, with few exceptions.
Shrubs generally have wild bushy greenery and if you leave a tree for long periods of time, it may turn into a “trub”. Yes, I said it again. A trub is not a true tree, nor a true shrub. A trub is a true trub when it is 13 feet or more but may branch off and/or is wild and bushy like a shrub.
This is the wonderful world of identifying trees, shrubs, and trubs!!!
