Since there is no standard for how large a tree is to be shown, it is critical to evaluate the spacing and proposed plant sizes. The Village should maintain a list of suggested spacings for plants by type. A landscape budget often dictates plantings to be limited although this might not be acceptable to the Village and the Village should stick to their guidelines. American Standards for Nursery Stock was recommended as the reference standard to use for plant sizing and Fernandez provided the Village with a copy of the book. He stated many plants, such as yews, are sold by spread or width and not height.
Caliper is also important to understand as it has a big impact on actual tree size and cost.
Conifers are sold by height rather than caliper. When replacing a tree, conifers in caliper inches are about half as costly as deciduous trees. Clump trees are graded by height and are less valuable if they have only two stems. The City of Ithaca list of Recommended Trees is an invaluable tool which the Village should utilize with modifications to better fit the Village conditions. Also native versus invasive non-natives should be considered.