Tree vs. Bush: Understanding the Difference Beyond Height

General Distinctions

While there's no strict botanical line, horticulturists typically distinguish trees and shrubs (bushes) by growth habit:

• Trees usually have a single dominant woody trunk and a distinct canopy, with foliage concentrated above a clear stem.
• Shrubs typically have multiple stems arising from the base, with foliage extending to ground level.

Tree-Form Shrubs

Some shrubs are trained into "tree form" by removing lower branches to expose a trunk-like stem. This is a pruning choice, not a species change.

Size Is Relative

Height alone doesn't define the category. Some shrubs grow taller than small trees, and some trees remain shrubby in harsh conditions. The overall architecture is the key factor.