Sweetgum Pleached Tree [Liquidambar styraciflua] for Privacy Screening | Freshly Pleached Trees

This handy size chart is here to show you the different size choices you have for pleached trees. A visual guide, helping you get a feel for the sizes and how much foliage each option brings with a growing season on the frame. We hope this gives you an idea of the relative sizes and foliage cover – this is not intended to be an exact representation for each species of tree.

If you would like a photo of a particular size and species of tree, please contact us. We are here to find your garden's perfect fit!

Clear Stem

The clear stem in pleached trees means the straight part of the tree trunk without any branches. It is measured from the base of the tree to the base of the pleach frame and where the foliage begins. Our trees are available in 100cm, 150cm, 180cm, and 200cm clear stems. Some times you may be see pleached trees referred to as half standard (~100-150cm) or standard (~180-200cm) trees. When considering the overall height of the clear stem and pleach frame, please bear in mind, freshly-pleached trees may not yet cover the entire pleach frame's full height or width. Young trees, in particular, will cover less of the frame compared to mature trees.

Stem Girth

The stem girth refers to the measurement around the trunk of the tree. Many of our trees are grown in Europe, and when imported, the stem girth is measured at approximately 60cm above the soil level. This measurement is taken above the initial, natural taper of the trunk's base. It's a way to quantify the thickness or circumference of the tree trunk.

Measuring the stem girth is important for assessing the tree's maturity. Typically, the greater the stem girth, the greater the maturity and foliage cover. Young, freshly-pleached trees do not yet cover the entire pleach frame, however with the proper care they will flourish over the coming growing seasons. Please bear this in mind when selecting your stem girth.

Each tree’s stem girth band is assessed at the beginning of the dormant season (October–November), once the year’s growth cycle is complete. Trees that have recently progressed to a larger stem girth band may initially appear less densely covered in foliage compared to others in the same category at the peak of the growing season (August–September). This is a natural part of their growth cycle and nothing to be concerned about; however, it’s worth considering when purchasing trees during the dormant season. All trees are carefully checked to confirm the correct stem girth band and are healthy, ready to flourish with new growth as they enter the growing season (April–October). To help you gauge how the trees look throughout the year, we include the month the photo was taken in the caption of each image.

Sometimes, pleached trees are referred to by their categories: light standard (~6-8cm), standard (~8-10cm), select standard (~10-12cm), heavy standard (~12-14cm), or extra heavy standard (~14-16cm).

Choosing the Right Clear Stem and Stem Girth for Your Garden

When selecting a pleached tree, the right clear stem and stem girth depend on your preferences and needs. If budget is a concern, opt for a younger, freshly pleached tree with a 6-8cm stem girth, which with the proper care, will grow to fill its frame in the coming years. For a more instant screening effect, choose a tree with a minimum stem girth of 14cm+ (depending on species). If you plan to use the tree for screening over a wall or fence, the height will determine the clear stem.

Our most popular choice is a pleached tree with a 12-14cm stem girth and a clear stem height of 180cm. This combination strikes a balance, providing a good height, some screening in the first growing season, and excellent value for money. It's a well-rounded option that caters to various landscaping preferences and offers a practical and cost-effective solution.

Bespoke Pleach Frame Sizes Available

Our standard pleach frames measure 120cm x 120cm, but we understand the need for flexibility in size. That's why we're pleased to offer custom pleaching tailored to your preferences.

We’ve listened to our customers and understand the need for size flexibility. That’s why we’re excited to offer custom pleaching tailored to your preferences. Our standard pleach frames are 120cm x 120cm (with no extra charge for this size), but we also provide custom-made frames with widths or heights ranging from 100cm to 180cm.

Custom frames are priced at £50 each, with a minimum order of 3 frames (£150). The lead time for custom frames is approximately 6 weeks. Please note, custom pleached trees require extra time to mature and fully fill the frame, particularly when adding additional width or height. Some tree species and stem sizes are more adaptable than others. Due to the bespoke nature of these trees being custom pleached onto bespoke frames, custom orders are non-refundable.

For more information and to discuss suitability before placing a bespoke order, please call 0330 818 7142 or email info@justpleachy.co.uk.

Transform your garden with custom pleaching tailored just for your garden's perfect fit!

Choose Your Perfect Frame Size

Opting for a professional planting service ensures that your pleached trees are planted correctly, with staking kits, irrigation hosing, and fertiliser included. This option can save you time and effort, ensuring the best start for your trees.

Typically our trees are pleached to order on a bamboo pleach frame. The pleach frame is crafted by our nursery team here in the UK, using bamboo canes and small black zip ties. This combination creates a durable, yet natural-looking structure that serves as a skeleton as the tree matures. The trees are attached to the pleached frame using these small black zip ties. Our frames are made by hand in our distinctive house style (which is the same as our Just Pleachy logo for the eagle-eyed!), this ensures that all our pleached trees have uniform, tidy frames.

The lifespan of the bamboo pleached frames can vary depending on the environmental conditions they are exposed to. Generally, a well-maintained bamboo pleached frame can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. As the bamboo frame naturally starts to deteriorate over time, you have a couple of options for maintenance: you can either remove the frames if the trees have matured enough to hold their shape independently, or you can replace sections with new bamboo. Replacement bamboo is readily available at local garden centres, making it easy to maintain your pleached trees.

As your tree matures, please ensure that any overly tight zip ties are removed or replaced as necessary to prevent them from cutting into the tree’s trunk or branches. The tree will also have a central thick bamboo cane to continue training the straight, clean stem. Again, please monitor these ties and remove or replace them as needed.

The trees arrive as individual units. Some customers like to link the frames once planted, while others prefer not to. Most of the trees are potted and ready for year-round planting. During the summer months, you'll always receive a potted tree that’s ready for planting. However, during the winter months (October to April), some trees, especially species like Hornbeam, may arrive as rootballs. This is because rootballs are often the best option at this time of year to ensure you get the best quality tree. If your tree arrives as a rootball, don’t worry! Simply leave the small hessian bag around the roots and plant it straight into the ground. The bag protects the tender roots and will naturally break down as the tree settles in.

As with any living goods, it's important to regularly monitor the health of your trees and adjust the frame, central cane or ties as necessary. Regular care, including pruning and watering, is essential to maintain the tree’s structure and health.

Living plants showcase a charming diversity, and it's normal to expect some variations. The appearance and fullness of your pleached trees may vary depending on the season and its maturity. The images serve as illustrations, and slight measurement differences may arise. The construction of the pleach frame is typically bamboo but can be wood or metal based on availability. We cannot guarantee absolute uniformity among plants, and availability may vary.