What is the Difference Between Sapling and Seedling?

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:

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.