Trees, shrubs, and other plants

The line between whether a plant is a "tree" or a "shrub" is sometimes very thin and quite blurry! We use the following criteria to decide which type applies to a certain plant:

Tree	Reaching over 20' tall at maturity Having a single or multiple trunks, typically more than 4" in diameter Trunks rise significantly above ground level before branching and leaves are present
Shrub	Remaining less than 20' tall at maturity Typically having multiple heavy branches or trunks measuring less than 4" in diameter Branching leaves are present at or slightly above ground level
Perennial	No woody stems Dies back to ground level in fall/winter, new growth appears in the spring