Home > Nursery tree production > Specifications/standards > American standard for nursery stock > Root ball size standards
Root ball size standards
The American National Standards Institute (1996) recommends minimum root ball sizes for field-grown trees based on trunk diameter or tree height. In addition, Florida Grades and Standards (Fla. Dept. Agric., 1998) makes minimum container size recommendations for trees grown in aboveground containers and fabric containers. Adhering to these standards helps trees to successfully establish in the landscape.
Trunk caliper (inches)1 |
Minimum ball diameter on field grown shade trees | Minimum root ball diameter on fabric container grown trees | Minimum container size (gallons) | Minimum tree height on standard trees | Minimum tree height on slower grown trees | Maximum tree height |
| 1 | 16 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 10 |
| 2 | 24 | 18 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 14 |
| 3 | 32 | 20 | 45 | 12 | 9.5 | 16 |
| 4 | 42 | 30 | 95 | 14 | 10.5 | 18 |
| 5 | 54 | 36 | 95 |
1 Trunk diameter (caliper) is measured 6 inches from the ground unless trunk is more than 4 inches caliper. If so, measure trunk caliper 12 inches above ground. Source: American Standard for Nursery Stock ANSI 60.1, and Florida Grades and Standards for Nursery Stock.
See: box sizes
See: bare root sizes
