What is a shrub?

Answer 1

A woody plant that has multiple stems and matures to a maximum height of 15-20 feet [5-6 meters] is a definition of a shrub. It's a woody plant because it's like trees in its internal structure and outward appearance. For example, it has two sets of transportation channels. The xylem moves water and nutrients up from the roots. The phloem moves energizers such as starches and sugars down from the centers of photosynthetic activity in the leaves.

But within that definition, there are shrubs that seem more like bushes and ones that seem more like trees. The bush like shrubs tend to have many, many small leafy branches that grow close together. Just two examples may be Abelia and Forsythia.

The tree like shrubs tend to have tree like branches and look like small trees. In fact, they often are called as such. They may reach a height more towards 30 feet [8 meters]. They tend to be broad leaved, deciduous woodies that shed their foliage yearly. But they also include evergreens whose foliage discreetly is replaced from the trunk outwards around every three years. Just two examples are the deciduous Flowering Dogwood [Cornus florida] and the evergreen Mountain Pine [Pinus mugo]. A shrub is a term used to describe a bush or small tree. Shrubs can often be found in home and business landscaping.

Answer 2

a small bush/tree