Large Outdoor Commercial Planters for Trees

Tree planters can elevate almost any space, literally. But finding the right trees – and the right planters to put them in – isn’t always simple.

Growing trees in planters is becoming increasingly popular. They can often be found in homes, offices, hotels, restaurants, and more. 

Modern Elite Wood Clad custom made planters at private residence.

There’s a good reason for this. Growing ornamental trees in modern planted pots can elevate almost any environment. Common benefits include:

• Making an urban area with minimal outdoor space feel more like a full garden
• Adding the benefits trees bring to an indoor space
• Framing entryways or walkways in hospitality or commercial spaces
• Creating eye-catching focal points
• Adding color, texture, and size to gardens or patio spaces
• Creating a healthier environment to work in

As an added benefit, tree planters can even enable you to grow and maintain trees outside of their native climates.

But if you’re not an expert, then there are a few challenging questions to answer, such as how to pick the right type of ornamental tree for your needs and, most importantly, how to choose the right type of large outdoor planters for trees

But the good news is that you don’t have to have a green thumb to be successful in growing trees. You just need to answer the following questions:

We offer tree planters that are designed to fit a variety of tree sizes and shapes. We can also fabricate metal planters in any size, shape, and color. If fiberglass is your material of choice, you can customize the color. So, when deciding whether to choose the planter or tree first, we suggest that you choose the tree. The type of tree you choose will dictate the type of planter, as the planter needs to adequately support the health of the tree. 

What Type of Tree Fits My Budget and Design

Modern Elite Aluminum Planters at Southcentre Mall.

When it comes to ornamental trees, there’s a wide variety available to you. But each kind is vastly different, so before you start looking into tree planters, you need to get an understanding of the most common types of trees you might want to use. Choosing the right trees will depend on the four factors listed below.

1. Hardiness: This term refers to the climate in which your trees can survive. Hardiness is categorized by 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: Each type of ornamental tree will have different water and light requirements. This is an important consideration when deciding on which ones to pick because the location of your large outdoor planters for trees will dictate their ability to survive. Ornamental trees can range from low to moderate and high water requirements and may need levels of light ranging from partial shade to full sun.
3. Height and Width at Maturity: It’s critical to consider how big your trees will be once they’re fully grown. This will have a significant impact on both the size of tree planters you’ll need as well as where you’re able to put them – and the tree planter you will need to put them in (more to come about that).
4. Potential for Litter: If you’re looking into large outdoor planters for trees, there’s a good chance you’ll be placing them in an area that you want to keep tidy. So, when you’re trying to decide what to put in your tree planters, think about the amount of litter, such as leaves, you can expect to clean up from them. If you’re looking for ideas for trees to put in your tree planter, check out this article from Houzz that explores 10 common trees to grow in containers and includes in-depth information about each type.

Before buying ornamental trees for your tree planters, it’s wise to consult with a professional to ensure you’re getting the right ones for your needs. But for a quick reference, you can also check out this quick guide from UCCE Master Gardeners that offers in-depth details for many common ornamental trees.

How to Select Planters for Trees

Modern Elite Aluminum Planters at Schilling Place.

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.

Types of Tree Planters

Modern Elite custom made planters at Villa BXV.

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.

13 Types of Large Outdoor Planters for Trees

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 planter 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 planter offers 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.

PurePots custom made fiberglass planters at Scan Design.

At PureModern, we specialize in creating high-quality custom tree planters that are designed with an elevated design esthetic and fabricated for longevity. The suggestions in this article are based on past experience with our clients and what we’ve learned over the years as best practices. However, we still strongly recommend consulting with an expert when selecting trees and getting a deeper understanding of the right tree planters for your needs.

If you’d like more information about large outdoor planters for trees, get in touch with us. Our experts are available to answer any questions you may have.