The bark may be colored, or have an unusual texture. Bark is one of the few ornamental traits present during the winter. A tree may be several years old before displaying the ornamental bark characteristic of its species. Growth habit refers to the outline or branching pattern. Growth habits of trees can be ornamental when outlined with snow during the winter.
Most trees have a characteristic shape.
Some have cultivars with a shape or growth habit different from the species. For instance, a cultivar may have either a weeping or very upright growth habit. Some tree cultivars are dwarfs and and grow like shrubs. Dwarfs are useful where a small tree is needed. Weeping trees can be especially ornamental when flowering, however mowing under trees weeping to the ground can be a problem.