Tree Seed and Shrub Seeds

Shrubs and Trees

Plants like trees and shrubs are crucial to any ecosystem. They clean the air, provide food and shelter to wildlife, cycle nutrients into the soil, and help prevent soil erosion and degradation. They are also excellent ways to beautify property while restoring the land.

Since they are vital components of biologically diverse ecosystems, shrubs and trees grow just about anywhere. Although some are not perennial or evergreen, they can be found in all types of regions and areas, whether it’s urban, suburban, rural, coastal, or the desert.

The Basics of Shrubs and Trees for Conservation

Shrubs and trees are usually perennial woody plants, meaning they have a thick wood stem that stands up vertically off the ground. Often, shrubs and trees are for enhancing landscapes, improving soil health, and preventing erosion.

Deciduous plants shed their leaves during dry seasons and grow them back during warmer weather. They do this to survive harsh weather conditions. You probably think of a typical broadleaf tree, with flat, broad leaves that turn red, orange, yellow, and brown during autumn before dropping to the ground.

Evergreen plants are precisely what the name implies. Their leaves stay year-round, no matter the weather, remaining green in color. They are dense and can handle substantial amounts of rainfall. You might picture a Christmas tree when you think of an evergreen tree since many of them are conifers, which have needle-like leaves.

What is the Difference Between Shrubs and Trees?

Shrubs are very similar to trees. In fact, there’s no real definition of what classifies as a tree or not — the characteristics of a tree are more so recognizable upon sight. The same goes for shrubs or bushes, which are typically described as shorter and bulkier versions of trees.

But based on the general ideas of what shrubs and trees are, there are a few significant differences, such as:

Size: Shrubs are much smaller than trees. Depending on the species, shrubs typically reach between two and six feet tall, whereas it’s not uncommon for a tree to be over 100 feet tall.

Branches: Shrubs are multi-stemmed and begin dispersing branches almost immediately. Trees grow several feet before their limbs take place.

Despite these differences, shrubs and trees are often planted together because these two are not so different after all. They have plenty of similarities, such as:

Biology: Both shrubs and trees have woody stems with branches and leaves, and they can both be either evergreen or deciduous.

Beauty: Shrubs and trees are used for landscaping and creating a sense of privacy or division between properties.
Environment: Most importantly, shrubs and trees are essential since they give back so much to their surrounding ecosystems.

How Are Shrubs and Trees Beneficial?

Everybody knows that plants are great for the environment since they provide oxygen for all living things, but their effects on ecosystems are much more profound. Learn how shrubs and trees play essential roles in the world.

Benefit #1: Trees and Shrubs Add Value by Beautifying Property

Real estate experts estimate that adding a mature tree to your front lawn can increase your home’s value by several thousand dollars. The price increases so much because trees are a desired addition to many homes since they cleanse the air, attract wildlife, prevent erosion, and provide beauty to the home.

Benefit #2: Trees Cleanse the Air

Within the earth’s troposphere, there are various pollutant gases caused by mass industrial usage. This creates something called “the greenhouse effect,” which means these pollutants go directly into our breathing air. Through photosynthesis, trees sequester gases like carbon dioxide and filter them out of the air by trapping them in the bark. In return, the trees emit oxygen, which is vital for all life on earth.

Benefit #3: Trees Provide Shelter and Forage for Wildlife

By providing shelterand food, trees help ensure that wildlife can survive. Tree trunks, branches, and leaves all provide necessary shelter for all types of wildlife, including:

Small mammals: Possums, raccoons, mice, and foxes
Large mammals: Bears
Insects: Ants, bees, beetles, and butterflies
Reptiles and amphibians: Lizards, frogs, and snakes
Birds: Robins, eagles, owls, and more

Granite Seed specializes in project planning for areas that need assistance in erosion control and land rehabilitation. Planting trees and shrubs along with pioneer grass and wildflower species is one of the best ways to reintroduce wildlife to a once-dying area.

Benefit #4: Trees and Shrubs Help Prevent Soil Erosion

Both trees and shrubs prevent soil erosion, which is the leading cause of soil degradation in the United States. Without fertile soil, we are unable to farm and plant crops appropriately, resulting in dying soil and irreparable environments. Soil erosion is often caused by water or wind, which are strong forces of nature that can impact the most fertile layer of the soil.

Find Your Favorite Shrubs and Trees at Granite Seed

Shrubs and trees are the best way to restore land, reintroduce nutrients, and bring back wildlife, all while beautifying the landscape. If you are looking to add these plants to your project, then be sure to take a look at our high-quality and diverse selection of seeds, which are always hand-harvested from numerous ecotypes.

Thanks to a shrub or tree’s deep root system, rainwater can be absorbed quickly to avoid flooding. The branches and leaves catch or slow down heavy raindrops from hitting fragile soil so that it can stay intact. The branches also protect weak soil by slowing down or blocking heavy winds.