Diaplant
Selecting by functional attributes lets you compare plants beyond the species name.
Selecting by functional attributes lets you compare plants beyond the species name. Size, crown form, leaf, root, phenology, tolerance of heat, water, wind, fruit, shelter and maintenance become fields for decision. The matrix does not replace experience, but it helps to make criteria visible and comparable.
From the species list to the performance sheet
Each plant should be described with attributes linked to the problem the project has to solve. For shade, what matters is leaf area, crown density and water availability. For a narrow street, width, clear stem height and response to pruning. For biodiversity, host relationships, resources and structure.
This approach avoids choosing the name first and justifying it afterwards.
Fields worth recording
| Group | Examples of attributes |
|---|---|
| Form | height, width, habit, crown density |
| Water and climate | establishment watering, tolerance when mature, heat, cold, wind |
| Soil and root | pH, drainage, compaction, root volume |
| Seasonality | leaf, flower, fruit, bark, dormancy |
| Use and maintenance | pruning, fruit drop, allergies, risk, lifespan |
| Ecology | origin, invasiveness, resources, shelter, host relationships |
The data should carry a level of confidence. Local observation can be worth more than a generic description, provided it is recorded as experience and not as a universal rule.
Using the matrix to create alternatives
When a species is not available or presents a risk, the matrix makes it possible to look for another with similar functions. It also shows trade-offs: a dense crown may give better shade, and greater wind resistance may call for a different architecture.
Studies of urban trees reinforce the usefulness of functional traits, but performance still depends on the site and on establishment.
Critical points
The most common mistakes are filling in attributes with vague terms; mixing observation and evidence without distinguishing them; using the matrix as a universal ranking; and ignoring the mature volume.
Criteria for application
At Diaplant, nursery knowledge is organised in performance sheets that cross-reference size, crown, water, soil, phenology, maintenance and limitations. This makes it possible to compare alternatives without depending on the species name alone.
The matrix turns selection into method. Instead of depending on memory or preference, it makes explicit what each plant needs to deliver.
Sources
- Relating the climate envelopes of urban tree species to their drought and thermal tolerance. (2021).
- Functional traits are better than climate niche approach at predicting the vital growth and mortality rates of urban tree species. (2026).
- Traits of trees for cooling urban heat islands: A meta-analysis. (2020).
- Forest Research. Urban forests — climate change advice. (2026).
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