British Standard 8545 (Trees: from nursery to independence in the landscape – Recommendations) gives very useful guidance to aid in planning, designing, resourcing, producing, planting and managing new trees in the landscape. The standard explains how new trees can be successfully grown and planted so that they flourish in the landscape without excessive maintenance. The standard promotes the principle that successful new tree planting relies on the integration of careful design, nursery production and planting site management, into one continuous process. All parts of the process are important and need careful consideration if new trees are to successfully achieve independence in the landscape.

Specimen trees are commonly chosen as a focal point in a garden or landscape, often due to a striking appearance, unique shape, or other distinctive feature. Typically planted individually and at larger sizes (often more than 4m in height), and sometimes planted in discreet groupings rather than being part of a larger group of trees, emphasizing their beauty and distinctiveness.