Leader
the clearly defined single dominant stem at the top of the tree

Collar
the position of the main stem or stems of a plant, which coincides with the surface level of the soil

Conifer
cone bearing tree

Containerised
having been transferred at some stage of development for purposes of sale, transport or decorative effect

Crown (of a tree)
all that part of a tree above the lowest branch

Deciduous
sheds its leaves each year at the end of the period of growth

Dissected
divided into many narrow segments

Dormancy
a state of greatly reduced metabolism in which a plant or part of a plant is alive but not growing

Double
flowers with more than the usual number of petals, often with other floral parts changed to petals

Evergreen
having leaves all the year round Fastigiate with branches erect and close together

Feathered
with the main stem retaining side branches (as opposed to a clear stem)

Field-grown
having been established and grown in the open and not grown in a container

Grafted
produced by obtaining a union between a shoot (the scion) of one plant and a rooted portion of another (the stock)

Groundcover
a group of plants which by their natural habit of low, close growth are suitable for covering the ground surface and discouraging weeds

Hardy able to thrive in a given climate all the year round without special protection

Lanceolate
lance-shaped, widening above the base and long tapering to the apex

Lateral
on or near the side

Linear
long and narrow with nearly parallel margins

Low or bottom worked
grafted or budded at or near ground level

Palmate
lobed or div ided in hand-like fashion, usually five or seven lobed

Perennial
living for several years

Pinnate
with leaflets arranged on either side of a central stalk

Procumbent
lying or creeping

Prostrate
lying flat on the ground

Rootstock
the rooted portion of a plant or a root on which one or more scions are worked

Semi-evergreen
evergreen in its normal habitat, but liable to shed some or all of its leaves under rigorous conditions

Serrate
saw-toothed

Trifoliate
three leafed

Top-worked
grafted or budded at the required clear stem height; in the case of most trees, this is 1.8m - 2m above ground level