Plant vs. Tree: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 6, 2024
A plant is a living organism that belongs to the kingdom Plantae, encompassing a vast range of species, while a tree is a tall perennial plant with a trunk, branches, and leaves.
Key Differences
Plants are a diverse group of living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. They can be small like mosses or large like trees. Trees are a subset of plants, characterized by their woody structure, distinct trunk, and height.
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Feb 06, 2024
The size and structure of plants vary widely, ranging from tiny herbs to sprawling vines. Trees, however, are typically tall and have a single main stem or trunk that supports branches and leaves.
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In terms of lifespan, many plants are annuals or perennials, living for a season or a few years. Trees are generally long-lived, with some species surviving for hundreds or even thousands of years.
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Plants reproduce in various ways, including seeds, spores, and vegetative parts. Trees usually reproduce through seeds, but some can also propagate through vegetative parts like cuttings.
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The habitat of plants is diverse, from aquatic environments to deserts. Trees primarily grow on land and are often dominant features in forests, jungles, and urban landscapes.
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Comparison Chart
Size and Structure
Varies greatly, from tiny herbs to vines
Typically tall with a distinct trunk
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Lifespan
Can be short (annuals) or longer (perennials)
Generally long-lived, often centuries
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Reproduction
Seeds, spores, vegetative parts
Primarily seeds, some through cuttings
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Habitat
Diverse, including aquatic and desert environments
Mainly terrestrial, dominant in forests
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Part of Ecosystem
Includes all types of greenery
Often form the canopy layer in ecosystems
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Plant and Tree Definitions
Plant
A living organism that photosynthesizes.
The plant in the corner brightens up the room.
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Tree
An important part of the forest ecosystem.
Each tree in the forest contributes to its biodiversity.
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Plant
Any of various photosynthetic, eukaryotic, multicellular organisms of the kingdom Plantae characteristically containing chloroplasts, having cell walls made of cellulose, producing embryos, and lacking the power of locomotion. Plants include trees, bushes, herbs, ferns, mosses, and certain green algae.
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Tree
A perennial woody plant having a main trunk and usually a distinct crown.
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Plant
Any of various fungi, algae, or protists that resemble plants and were formerly classified in the plant kingdom. Not in scientific use.
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Tree
Something that resembles a tree in form, especially a diagram or arrangement that has branches showing relationships of hierarchy or lineage.
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Plant
A building or group of buildings for the manufacture of a product; a factory
Works in an auto plant.
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Tree
(Computers) A structure for organizing or classifying data in which every item can be traced to a single origin through a unique path.
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Plant
The buildings, fixtures, and equipment, including machinery, tools, and instruments, necessary for an industrial operation or an institution
The university's mechanical plant.
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Tree
A wooden beam, post, stake, or bar used as part of a framework or structure.
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Plant
A remark or action in a play or narrative that becomes important later.
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Tree
(Informal) To force into a difficult position; corner
The reporters finally treed the mayor.
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Tree
A perennial woody plant, not exactly defined, but differentiated from a shrub by its larger size (typically over a few meters in height) or growth habit, usually having a single (or few) main axis or trunk unbranched for some distance above the ground and a head of branches and foliage.
Hyperion is the tallest living tree in the world.
Birds have a nest in a tree in the garden.
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Plant
To place (spawn or young fish) in water or an underwater bed for cultivation
Plant oysters.
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Tree
Any plant that is reminiscent of the above but not classified as a tree (in any botanical sense).
The banana tree
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Tree
An object made from a tree trunk and having multiple hooks or storage platforms.
He had the choice of buying a scratching post or a cat tree.
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Plant
To place or fix in a certain position
Planted both feet on the ground.
Planted a kiss on my cheek.
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Tree
(graph theory) A connected graph with no cycles or, if the graph is finite, equivalently a connected graph with n vertices and n−1 edges.
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Plant
To fix firmly in the mind; implant
"The right of revolution is planted in the heart of man" (Clarence Darrow).
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Tree
(computing theory) A recursive data structure in which each node has zero or more nodes as children.
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Tree
(graphical user interface) A display or listing of entries or elements such that there are primary and secondary entries shown, usually linked by drawn lines or by indenting to the right.
We’ll show it as a tree list.
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Plant
To station (a person) for the purpose of functioning in secret, as by observing, spying, or influencing behavior
Detectives were planted all over the store.
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Tree
Any structure or construct having branches representing divergence or possible choices.
Family tree; skill tree
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Plant
To place secretly or deceptively so as to be discovered or made public
Planted a gun on the corpse to make the death look like suicide.
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Tree
The structure or wooden frame used in the construction of a saddle used in horse riding.
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Plant
(botany) An organism that is not an animal, especially an organism capable of photosynthesis. Typically a small or herbaceous organism of this kind, rather than a tree.
The garden had a couple of trees, and a cluster of colourful plants around the border.
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Plant
(botany) An organism of the kingdom Plantae; now specifically, a living organism of the Embryophyta (land plants) or of the Chlorophyta (green algae), a eukaryote that includes double-membraned chloroplasts in its cells containing chlorophyll a and b, or any organism closely related to such an organism.
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Tree
(chemistry) A mass of crystals, aggregated in arborescent forms, obtained by precipitation of a metal from solution.
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Plant
(ecology) Now specifically, a multicellular eukaryote that includes chloroplasts in its cells, which have a cell wall.
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Plant
Any creature that grows on soil or similar surfaces, including plants and fungi.
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Tree
(transitive) To chase (an animal or person) up a tree.
The dog treed the cat.
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Plant
An object placed surreptitiously in order to cause suspicion to fall upon a person.
That gun's not mine! It's a plant! I've never seen it before!
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Tree
(transitive) To place in a tree.
Black bears can tree their cubs for protection, but grizzly bears cannot.
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Plant
Anyone assigned to behave as a member of the public during a covert operation (as in a police investigation).
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Tree
(transitive) To place upon a tree; to fit with a tree; to stretch upon a tree.
To tree a boot
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Plant
A person, placed amongst an audience, whose role is to cause confusion, laughter etc.
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Plant
(snooker) A play in which the cue ball knocks one (usually red) ball onto another, in order to pot the second; a set.
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Tree
Any perennial woody plant of considerable size (usually over twenty feet high) and growing with a single trunk.
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Plant
(uncountable) Machinery, such as the kind used in earthmoving or construction.
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Tree
Something constructed in the form of, or considered as resembling, a tree, consisting of a stem, or stock, and branches; as, a genealogical tree.
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Tree
A piece of timber, or something commonly made of timber; - used in composition, as in axletree, boottree, chesstree, crosstree, whiffletree, and the like.
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Tree
A cross or gallows; as Tyburn tree.
[Jesus] whom they slew and hanged on a tree.
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Tree
Wood; timber.
In a great house ben not only vessels of gold and of silver but also of tree and of earth.
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Plant
An oyster which has been bedded, in distinction from one of natural growth.
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Tree
A mass of crystals, aggregated in arborescent forms, obtained by precipitation of a metal from solution. See Lead tree, under Lead.
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Tree
To drive to a tree; to cause to ascend a tree; as, a dog trees a squirrel.
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Tree
A tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
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Plant
(ambitransitive) To place (a seed or plant) in soil or other substrate in order that it may live and grow.
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Plant
(transitive) To place (an object, or sometimes a person), often with the implication of intending deceit.
That gun's not mine! It was planted there by the real murderer!
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Tree
English actor and theatrical producer noted for his lavish productions of Shakespeare (1853-1917)
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Plant
(transitive) To place or set something firmly or with conviction.
Plant your feet firmly and give the rope a good tug.
To plant cannon against a fort; to plant a flag; to plant one's feet on solid ground
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Tree
A tall perennial plant with a trunk and branches.
The tree in our yard provides shade during summer.
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Plant
To furnish or supply with plants.
To plant a garden, an orchard, or a forest
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Tree
A woody plant, often large, with a distinct trunk.
Birds nested in the old oak tree.
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Tree
A plant form that can live for many years.
They planted a tree to commemorate the event.
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Plant
To furnish with a fixed and organized population; to settle; to establish.
To plant a colony
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Tree
A natural structure providing habitat and oxygen.
The tree was home to diverse wildlife.
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Plant
To introduce and establish the principles or seeds of.
To plant Christianity among the heathen
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Plant
A vegetable; an organized living being, generally without feeling and voluntary motion, and having, when complete, a root, stem, and leaves, though consisting sometimes only of a single leafy expansion, or a series of cellules, or even a single cellule.
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Plant
The whole machinery and apparatus employed in carrying on a trade or mechanical business; also, sometimes including real estate, and whatever represents investment of capital in the means of carrying on a business, but not including material worked upon or finished products; as, the plant of a foundry, a mill, or a railroad.
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Plant
A plan; an artifice; a swindle; a trick.
It was n't a bad plant, that of mine, on Fikey.
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Plant
An oyster which has been bedded, in distinction from one of natural growth.
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Plant
To put in the ground and cover, as seed for growth; as, to plant maize.
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Plant
To set in the ground for growth, as a young tree, or a vegetable with roots.
Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees.
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Plant
To furnish, or fit out, with plants; as, to plant a garden, an orchard, or a forest.
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Plant
To engender; to generate; to set the germ of.
It engenders choler, planteth anger.
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Plant
To furnish with a fixed and organized population; to settle; to establish; as, to plant a colony.
Planting of countries like planting of woods.
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Plant
To introduce and establish the principles or seeds of; as, to plant Christianity among the heathen.
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Plant
To set firmly; to fix; to set and direct, or point; as, to plant cannon against a fort; to plant a standard in any place; to plant one's feet on solid ground; to plant one's fist in another's face.
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Plant
To set up; to install; to instate.
We will plant some other in the throne.
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Plant
Buildings for carrying on industrial labor;
They built a large plant to manufacture automobiles
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Plant
Something planted secretly for discovery by another;
The police used a plant to trick the thieves
He claimed that the evidence against him was a plant
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Plant
An actor situated in the audience whose acting is rehearsed but seems spontaneous to the audience
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Plant
Put or set (seeds or seedlings) into the ground;
Let's plant flowers in the garden
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Plant
Fix or set securely or deeply;
He planted a knee in the back of his opponent
The dentist implanted a tooth in the gum
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Plant
Place something or someone in a certain position in order to secretly observe or deceive;
Plant a spy in Moscow
Plant bugs in the dissident's apartment
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Plant
An entity in the kingdom Plantae, typically growing in soil.
She added a new plant to her garden collection.
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Plant
An organism with leaves, stems, and roots.
The plant thrived under the sunlight.
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Plant
A living thing that produces its own food through sunlight.
He learned how to take care of every plant in his greenhouse.
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Plant
A member of the flora, often used in decoration or agriculture.
The office was decorated with an array of green plants.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are all plants green?
Most plants are green due to chlorophyll, but some may have different colors.
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What defines a plant?
A plant is a living organism that typically photosynthesizes and can range in size and form.
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Can all plants produce flowers?
Not all plants produce flowers; this characteristic varies among different plant species.
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Can trees grow in water?
Some tree species, like mangroves, are adapted to grow in or near water.
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How is a tree different from other plants?
A tree is a tall, woody plant with a distinct trunk, branches, and often lives for many years.
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Do all plants need sunlight?
Most plants need sunlight for photosynthesis, but some can survive in low light conditions.
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How long can a tree live?
Some tree species can live for hundreds or even thousands of years.
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Do trees always have leaves?
Most trees have leaves, but some may lose them seasonally.
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Do plants play a role in the ecosystem?
Plants are crucial for ecosystems, providing oxygen, food, and habitat.
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What is the role of flowers in plants?
Flowers in plants are often involved in reproduction.
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How do trees affect climate?
Trees can influence climate by moderating temperatures and humidity.
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Are all trees leafy?
No, some trees like conifers have needles instead of leaves.
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Do plants have a lifespan?
Yes, plants have varying lifespans depending on the species.
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Can trees communicate?
Research suggests trees can communicate through root networks and chemical signals.
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What's the difference in care between a plant and a tree?
Care differs based on species, but trees generally require more space and long-term care compared to smaller plants.
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What is the smallest plant?
Some of the smallest plants are certain algae and mosses.
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How do trees benefit the environment?
Trees provide oxygen, reduce carbon dioxide, and offer habitat for wildlife.
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What is the tallest type of tree?
The tallest trees are redwoods, specifically Sequoia sempervirens.
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Can plants grow without soil?
Some plants, like hydroponics, can grow without soil.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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