The main difference between a sapling and a seedling lies in their size and development stage. Here are the key distinctions:
- Sapling: A sapling is a young tree with a diameter of 1 to 6 inches at breast height (4.5 feet from the ground). Saplings may be balled and burlapped, bareroot, or containerized. They typically have adult leaves rather than seed leaves.
- Seedling: A seedling is a young plant with a diameter of up to 1 inch at a point that is 4.5 feet from the ground. Seedlings are usually bareroot and have adolescent leaves. They develop from the embryo of a plant seed and initially have cotyledons or seed leaves.
In summary, a sapling is a young tree with a diameter of 1 to 6 inches, while a seedling is a very young plant with a diameter of up to 1 inch. Saplings have adult leaves, whereas seedlings have adolescent leaves and cotyledons.
Comparative Table: Sapling vs Seedling
Sapling and seedling are two juvenile growth stages of a plant. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between them:
Feature | Sapling | Seedling |
---|---|---|
Size | Typically 1 to 6 inches in diameter | Typically less than 1 inch in diameter |
Cotyledons | No | Yes |
Leaves | Mature leaves | Adolescent leaves |
Origin | Develops from seed or vegetative parts | Develops from the embryo of a plant seed |
Stage | Follows seedling stage | Follows seed stage |
A sapling is a young tree with a diameter of 1 to 6 inches and has adult leaves, while a seedling is a young sporophyte with a diameter of less than 1 inch and has cotyledons or seed leaves. Seedlings develop from the embryo of a plant seed, while saplings develop from seeds or vegetative parts, such as stem cutting techniques. The growth of seedlings is affected by factors like wind, light, temperature, and physical stimulation.
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- Tree vs Plant
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- Germination vs Emergence
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- Vegetative Propagation vs Spore Formation
- Budding vs Grafting
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- Deciduous vs Coniferous Trees
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- Germination vs Vivipary
- Flowering vs Nonflowering Plants
- Saprophytic vs Symbiotic Plants
- Crop vs Plant
- Nursery vs Kindergarten
- Grain vs Seed