Placing trees in large outdoor planters is a dramatic way to elevate any design project. However, selecting the right trees and durable planters is critical to generating a stunning result that looks good for years to come.

Large outdoor planters for trees become stunning focal points, but procuring the right planter is critical for keeping your project on time and in line with your budget.

In this article, you’ll find guidance for selecting trees and large commercial planters, and what to look for in a reliable planter manufacturer.

5 Benefits of Adding Trees in Large Outdoor Planters

After considering the specific goals and constraints of a unique project, many landscape designers are opting to add trees in large outdoor planters to accomplish various objectives, including:

Maximizing limited space. Especially in urban settings, ground space is often limited. Large commercial outdoor planters enable designers to incorporate greenery and vertical elements in the most efficient way (e.g., sidewalks, rooftop gardens, etc.).
Creating eye-catching focal points. Large planters provide design flexibility. By strategically placing trees in large outdoor planters, creating focal points (e.g., framing an entryway) and more visual impact becomes much easier. Plus, by using planters to add trees, designers can play with scale and proportion. By optimizing the size and shape of your planter you optimize the impact the tree has on the space.
Overcoming site limitations. Some projects occur in areas with environmental limitations like poor soil conditions that may prohibit planting trees in the ground. By placing trees in large outdoor containers, designers can create a controlled environment that optimizes soil and drainage conditions. As an added benefit, tree planters enable you to grow and maintain trees outside of their native climates.
Adding the benefits trees provide to indoor spaces to create a healthier environment. Adding trees in planters enables designers to provide environmental benefits (elevating air quality, improving concentration, lowering stress, etc.), regardless of space limitations.
Unlocking additional design options. Large outdoor planters can becustomized with casters to add the advantage of mobility. Designers can then rearrange trees or relocate them easily when the need arises (e.g., seasonal variations or special events.)

It’s possible to take advantage of these benefits — even if you’re not an expert on trees or large outdoor planters. Keep reading for more information about selecting the right type of ornamental tree for your needs and how to choose a modern planter.

4 Considerations When Selecting a Tree to Fit Your Budget and Design Needs

Naturally, it’s essential to carefully consider the unique requirements of your project and your goals when selecting trees.

Every tree is vastly different, so before you begin looking for tree planters, we recommend first understanding which trees you might want to use and consulting with a professional to ensure you’re getting the right tree for your unique needs. For a quick reference, check out this guide from UCCE Master Gardeners

Choosing the right trees will depend on the four factors listed below:

1. Hardiness:

Hardiness is all about optimal climate and temperature range.

To simplify the process of finding the right trees based on their hardiness, The United States Department of Agriculture offers a Plant Hardiness Zone Map for North America.

2. Water and Light Requirements:

Water and light requirements vary for different types of trees, so the location of your large outdoor planter will impact the tree’s ability to survive.

Water requirements for ornamental trees range from low to moderate and high. Light requirements range from partial shade to full sun.

3. Height and Width at Maturity:

How large is the tree’s root ball? How big will the tree be once it’s fully grown

The answers to these questions will significantly impact the size of planter you’ll need as well as where you’re able to locate the planter.

Ideally, you'll want to have about two cubic feet of space in your planter for every square foot of canopy, or the width of the tree's branches at maturity.

Note on tree maturity: If you’re looking to purchase a tree planter that will act as the forever home for the tree you put in it, we recommend seeking trees that are near maturity.

The reason: If you plant a tree in a pot that’s significantly larger than the tree’s current root system, the soil that isn’t in contact with the roots can go bad. Less mature trees may need to start in a smaller container and then be moved into a larger pot. So, trees that are closer to maturity help simplify the planter selection process.

4. Potential for Litter:

Some trees regularly produce litter in the form of leaves.

To keep your design project neat and beautiful all year long, look for a tree that’s known for minimal leaf shedding. It’s important to note that all plants drop a few leaves now and then due to factors including acclimatization, changes in light, or variations in care routines.

How to Select Planters for Trees

Choosing the right tree planter for your needs can be a challenging prospect. It’s important to pick your tree planters based on your selection of trees.

As a rule of thumb, there are a few things you should keep in mind when selecting large outdoor planters for trees

Tree Size

Ideally, you’ll want to have about 2 cubic feet of space in your planter for every square foot of canopy – the width of the tree’s branches at maturity.

Planter Weight

It’s important that your tree planter be heavy enough to act as a sturdy base for your tree. For a larger tree, you’ll need a larger planter to ensure the tree remains grounded as it grows. Remember, larger trees will catch more wind, which can make them more prone to tipping if they’re in a planter that’s too small and light.

Maturity Level of Trees

If you’re looking to purchase a tree planter that will act as the forever home for the tree you put in it, you may want to consider seeking trees that are near maturity. This is because, if you plant a tree into a pot that’s significantly bigger than its current root system, the soil that doesn’t come into contact with roots can go bad. This means that less mature trees may need to start in a smaller container and then be moved into a final pot. Trees that are closer to maturity will help cut the guesswork out of picking the right tree planter.

There are also a few other things you can consider when selecting large outdoor planters for trees, including:

Adding Weight: In addition to soil, you can add extra weight to your tree planter– and, in turn, increasing stability – by adding rocks to the bottom. To learn more,read our blog post on the topic.
Bolting the Planter: Another way to increase the stability of the planter is to bolt the planter to the supporting surface, if possible.
Utilize Bottomless Retention Edging Planters: If your space permits, you can consider bottomless retention edging tree planters. These planters use the same sub-walls as other planters but are manufactured without a bottom so the existing subbase soil can be used. This means that, if you have open soil beneath where you’ll be placing your tree, you can use this type of planter and allow your tree’s roots to grow down into the ground. This creates the illusion of a planter around a tree that might be too large to grow in it otherwise. We dive deep into this topic in our Modular Planters 101 Guide.

What Materials Are Used For Large Outdoor Planters?

Large outdoor planters come in several materials. The material you choose for your planter will determine durability and longevity. So, making the right choice for your project is incredibly important.

Two critical considerations are planter material and planter shape.

Below, you’ll find the three most common types of large outdoor planter materials

Powder-Coated Aluminum Planters

Several different types of aluminum can be used to manufacture a planter. At PureModern, we consider heavy gauge 5052 marine-grade aluminum to be the most durable planter material on the market.

This type of aluminum alloy is also commonly used in high-end industrial and commercial-grade outdoor site furnishings, shipbuilding, and aircraft fabrication.

Using this type of marine-grade corrosion-resistant aluminum ensures that your planters can withstand the elements with little to no maintenance.

Plus, an industrial-grade finish can be achieved in just about any color.

When is aluminum the right choice?

PureModern commercial-grade powder-coated aluminum planters are perfect for:

Low-maintenance projects that require lightweight planters that can withstand extreme weather conditions and high-traffic areas.
Customized planter solutions. Aluminum planters are available in various sizes, shapes, and configurations. Although powder-coated aluminum planters are typically more expensive than fiberglass, they will last longer than a fiberglass planter, and the powder-coating will not fade as soon as the paint used on fiberglass will.
Rooftop applications or elevated balconies where the overall weight of the planter, plant, and filler is a cause for concern.

Fiberglass Planters

The benefit of using PureModern Fiberglass Plantersis that they are lightweight and resistant to corrosion, frost, and UV rays. Most fiberglass planters also require very little maintenance and do not need to be taken indoors during the winter months.

When is fiberglass the right choice?

PureModern fiberglass planters work well if you need:

Planters that are lightweight, low-maintenance, and budget-friendly
A unique shape for your planter

COR-TEN Steel Planters

COR-TEN is the trademark name for weathering steel.

An important characteristic of COR-TEN steel plantersis that the steel patinas beautifully after exposure to natural outdoor elements. This patina protects the planter from further corrosion and makes COR-TEN a durable and long-lasting option.

However, the process that creates the beautiful patina may bleed onto the supporting surface, so we only recommend COR-TEN steel planters for outdoor use and encourage clients to make a plan to protect the surrounding area.

When is COR-TEN steel the right choice?

COR-TEN steel planters will fit your needs if:

There are no weight or lead-time considerations.COR-TEN planters are substantially heavier than aluminum and fiberglass planters. Fabrication can take six to eight weeks.
You want a modern and industrial aesthetic.The patina that develops on COR-TEN planters is a unique and beautiful blend of rich brown and orange colors that achieve a modern yet warm rustic look.

Bottomless Retention Edging Planters

If space permits, consider a totally different type of option: bottomless retention edging tree planters

These planters use the same sub-walls as other planters but are manufactured without a bottom, so the existing sub-base soil is used and allows the tree’s roots to grow down into the ground.

This option creates the illusion of a planter around a tree that might be too large to grow in the planter otherwise. We dive deeper into this topic in our Modular Planters 101 Guide

How to Select the Shape for Your Large Outdoor Tree Planter

Selecting the right planter shape for your design plan.

To make a large space more intimate or to guide foot traffic,rectangular planters will generally fit best. Plus, rectangular containers can create a linear look.
When adding trees primarily for the sake of heightening interest or creating a focal point, consider round planters or irregular-shaped planters.
To complement an entrance, consider square planters. Trees like regular watering. Square containers make watering easy and provide more volume and surface area for a denser planting plan.

Securing Large Outdoor Planters for Trees

For safety reasons, when dealing with large trees and planters, it’s important to consider toppling risk. We recommend setting aside time to plan the location of your tree. This helps determine if the planter requires an anchoring solution.

Two simple ways to increase stability include adding more weight to the planter and bolting the planter to the supporting surface.

13 Large Outdoor Planters for Trees

When it comes to finding tree planters, there’s no shortage of options. But not every tree planter will be the right fit for the trees you have in mind.

At PureModern, we have a wide selection of options you can choose from when searching for high-quality large outdoor planters for trees. All of our planters come in an array of sizes and material options, including fiberglass, powder-coated aluminum, and COR-TEN weathering steel.

When it comes to finding the right large outdoor planters for trees, here are a few you might want to check out:

Pioneer Round Tapered Planter – This dramatic planter is made of lightweight yet durable fiberglass and can be finished in a variety of metals that will age gracefully and develop a soft patina over time. With its wide base, it can accommodate mid-sized ornamental trees.

Governor Planter – With its square shape and available extra-large sizing, this planter can handle larger ornamental trees. Crafted from sturdy fiberglass, it’s the perfect large outdoor planter for trees at your home, office, or workplace.

Geo Vase – Made with frost-proof and non-corrosive fiberglass, the Geo Vase is a great option when it comes to tree planters. The XXL version is nearly seven feet tall with a weight of 77 pounds, making it a sturdy option for mid- to large-sized ornamental trees.

Modern Elite Cube Planter – Fabricated with heavy gauge marine grade aluminum, this planter offers the sturdiness, weight, and low center of gravity required to handle mid-sized ornamental trees.

Modern Elite Round Planter – This stylish planter offers a clean and modern profile while using a minimal footprint in order to maximize real estate in any space, making it a perfect small-sized tree planter.

Modern Tapered Square Planter – Crafted to last for generations, this hand-finished fiberglass tapered planter offers a contemporary feel for your space and can easily handle mid- to large-sized ornamental trees.

Geo Square Tower Planter – If you’re looking for a tree planter for a small and lean ornamental tree, this is a great option. This lightweight fiberglass tree plante makes for a great addition to an entryway or to flank a sidewalk.

Modular Planter Options– If the commercial outdoor space you are designing is exposed to harsh elements, we recommend exploring our modular planter options. Using a modular planter with bottomless retention edging creates the illusion of a planter, with the added assurance that the planter can’t tip over. To explore this option, click here

Classic Taper Planter – Offering a wider opening than our popular geometric planters, our Classic Taper fiberglass tree planters can easily handle larger-sized trees.

Solstice Planter– You won’t have to worry about trees tipping over in the wind with this large and sturdy fiberglass planter. With its wide and stable footprint, it’s a perfect planter for holding larger-sized trees. Make sure you shop the custom sizes, to ensure that you are getting the perfect planter for your tree.

Driftwood Planter- This tree planteroffers the appearance of aged teak wood, offering a natural esthetic to complement your mid- to large-sized trees.

Drummond Cube Planter– When you want to add a significantly sized tree to your space, this is the perfect tree planter for your needs. Made from tough, versatile fiberglass, its wide base and heavier weight make it a strong and stable option.

Twain Tapered Planter– With its starkly bold and potent style, this lightweight fiberglass planter is a great option for smaller-sized trees.

Learn More

At PureModern, we never stop looking for new ways to make our clients happy and deliver exactly what they need. That’s why we can value engineer just about any project. Value engineering is all about striking the optimal balance between maximizing function and minimizing cost.

You’ll create a stunning impression when you include planters from PureModern in your design project. But you’ll also love working with our team. We have been in this business since 2006 and are committed to ensuring that your project is completed to your expectations — and that’s why we have a Done-Right Guarantee.

The suggestions in this article are based on past experience with our clients and what we know are best practices. We strongly recommend consulting an expert when selecting trees and gathering a deeper understanding of the right tree planters for your unique needs.