Trees - Complete Guide

Every tree for every garden

From a single ornamental cherry in a small courtyard to a native oak for a country estate — we've grown and supplied trees for over 75 years. This guide helps you find exactly the right one.

Not sure where to start?

Browse by what you need the tree to do - we'll point you to the right category.

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Illustrated guide showing six tree growth forms of the same species: standard, pleached, multi-stem, fastigiate, espaliered, and bush/feathered, each labeled with its characteristic shape and pruning style.

Understanding Tree Forms

The same species can be grown in very different shapes. Here's what each term means.

Clear stem 1.8m+

The classic parkland or avenue tree. A single straight trunk with at least 1.8m of clear stem before the head branches out. Half-standards have a 1.2m clear stem — useful where headroom is limited.

Best for Lawns, driveways, formal gardens, parks.

Trained flat canopy

The canopy is trained flat on a frame -
creating a 'wall of foliage' effect on stilts. Provides privacy at height without bulk at ground level. Popular with hornbeam, lime and apple.

Best for Raised screening, formal gardens, beside boundaries.

Several stems from base

Two or more stems rising from the same rootstock, giving a sculptural, naturalistic silhouette. Especially popular for birches and rowans where the bark is part of the ornamental appeal.

Best for Focal points, winter interest, contemporary planting.

Upright, columnar form

Branches grow upright rather than outward, producing a narrow column. Footprint can be a fraction of a standard tree's spread. 'Columnaris', 'Fastigiata' and 'Pyramidalis' in a variety name indicates this form.

Best for Small gardens, alongside paths, containers.

Trained on horizontal tiers

Branches are trained in horizontal tiers against a wall or frame. Both decorative and highly productive — the wall stores heat, improving fruit ripening. Mainly applied to apples and pears.

Best for South- or west-facing walls, productive kitchen gardens.

Branching from low stem

A shorter clear stem (under 90cm) with branches beginning lower down. More relaxed and informal than a standard. Also called 'feathered' when side shoots are retained to the ground.

Best for Informal planting, wildlife gardens, orchards.

Our Four Tree Ranges

Each range has its own page with full variety listings, sizes, and planting advice.

Apple trees with red apples in an orchard

Fruit Trees

Our broadest range — apples, pears, plums, cherries, quinces and more. Grown in the UK and supplied bareroot in winter or pot-grown year-round. Includes trained forms: espalier, fan and step-over.

  • Bareroot from November

Browse all fruit trees

Winding path through a forest with tall trees and green undergrowth

Native Trees

Oaks, rowans, hazels, birches, wild cherry, crab apple and more — the backbone of British hedgerows and woodlands. Our original speciality since 1949, available in forestry transplant through to standard sizes.

  • Wildlife habit
  • Bareroot specialists
  • Forestry to standard

Browse all native trees

Ornamental Trees

Garden cultivars chosen for seasonal beauty: flowering cherries, acers, magnolias, liquidambars, catalpas and multi-stemmed specimens. Many RHS Award of Garden Merit varieties.

  • RHS AGM varieties
  • Seasonal Interest

Browse all ornamental trees

Large Oak Tree

Big Garden Trees

Standard and half-standard trees 2–6m tall — well-branched, clear-stemmed, ready to make an immediate impression. One of our founding specialities: UK-grown stock at fair prices.

  • Standard & half-standard
  • Up to 6m tall
  • Immediate Impact

Browse all garden trees

Bareroot or pot-grown?

This is one of the most common questions we're asked. Both are excellent — the right choice depends on when you want to plant.

Bareroot Nov – Mar only Pot-grown Year-round
When to plant Timing window November – March Any time of year
Establishment Root development Excellent Often faster than pot-grown Excellent
Price Cost to buy Lower cost Higher cost
Species range Variety choice Widest choice Good range
Suitable for containers Pot planting No Yes
Large standard sizes Up to 6m Many available Available
Next-day delivery After dispatch Yes Yes
Guaranteed 1-year Ashridge guarantee Yes Yes

Both are excellent choices — bareroot offers the widest range at lower cost from November to March.

Outside that window, pot-grown is your only option — and just as good.

"The majority of trees in the UK are planted bareroot in the winter planting season, November to March. Pot-grown trees are equally good and can be planted year-round as long as you water them well."

Ashridge Nurseries team


Bareroot trees are lifted from the field in their dormant season, trimmed, and sent to you with roots exposed. They establish quickly, cost less, and - for most species - produce exactly the same results as pot-grown. The window is November to March. Outside that window, pot-grown is your only option.