The key difference between tree and shrub is that a tree may have a single stem and varied foliage structures while shrub typically has multiple stems and denser foliage.
What is Tree?
Land plants are multicellular organisms distinguished by several characteristics:
Trees are autotrophic organisms, capable of producing their own food through photosynthesis. This process utilizes light energy and carbon dioxide to synthesize nutrients like sugars. Chloroplasts, containing chlorophyll and carotenoids, are essential organelles for photosynthesis, converting light energy into usable forms.
In contrast, heterotrophs rely on consuming other organisms for sustenance, with many consuming plants directly or indirectly through animals. As primary producers in ecosystems, plants play a crucial role in supporting diverse life forms, while also producing oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis, essential for many organisms’ survival.
Comprising multicellular eukaryotic cells, plants possess distinct characteristics such as cellulose-based cell walls, chloroplasts for photosynthesis, and large central vacuoles maintaining cell turgidity. Eukaryotic cells feature a true nucleus and specialized organelles, distinguishing them from prokaryotic cells found in bacteria and archaea, which lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles except for ribosomes responsible for protein synthesis.
They produce their own food through photosynthesis, facilitated by chlorophyll, converting solar energy into starch. Many plants are stationary, although some can adjust leaf orientation and respond to touch. Plant cell walls are rigid due to cellulose composition. The plant life cycle involves alternating sporophyte and gametophyte generations, known as “alternation of generations.”
What is Shrub?
A plant that is woody and maintains a consistently thick structure, smaller than a tree in size, and branches out into multiple trunks or stems around its base is commonly referred to as a shrub. Often termed as bushes, shrubs are easily identifiable due to their short stature and bushy appearance, typically lacking a single dominant trunk.
While much of their stem may be concealed due to their dense foliage, shrubs are commonly utilized for decorative purposes in various settings. Some shrubs exhibit compact and dense growth habits, while others are taller and more slender. Additionally, they may feature green leaves or vibrant flowers.
Typically reaching heights of around 3 meters, regardless of their ornamental or flowering characteristics, shrubs play a significant role in landscaping for temporary embellishment. They are often employed along fences, screens, as background plantings, or to form hedges in formal settings.
However, given their typically rapid growth compared to trees, shrubs require regular maintenance to ensure they maintain desired shapes or sizes, thus contributing to the aesthetic appeal, fragrance, or practical utility of a landscape. An area of neatly arranged shrubs within a garden, park, or natural landscape is commonly referred to as shrubbery.
Tree vs Shrub
The major difference between plant and shrub is given below:
| Characteristic | Shrub | Tree |
| Height | Shorter than trees, multiple stems. | Taller than shrubs, single stem or trunk. |
| Stem Structure | Multiple stems. | Single stem or trunk. |
| Foliage | Dense foliage, smaller leaves. | Well-defined crown, larger leaves. |
| Growth Rate | Faster growth. | Slower growth. |
| Lifespan | Shorter lifespan (10-20 years). | Longer lifespan (several decades to centuries). |
| Root System | Shallow root system | Deep root system. |
| Uses | Landscaping, hedge, border, containers. | Timber, paper, furniture. |
| Maintenance | Requires more maintenance (regular pruning). | Requires less maintenance. |