What happens to a tree once it is planted in the ground?

When a tree is planted in the ground, it becomes a fixture, which is classified as real property. This classification stems from the principle that once something is affixed to the land, it is considered part of that land. A fixture refers to any item that has been permanently attached to the property and becomes part of the real estate. In legal terms, real property includes both the land and anything that is permanently attached to it.

As a result, the tree, once planted, is no longer considered personal property; instead, it is treated as part of the land itself. This relationship of the tree to the land is crucial for various legal matters, including property sales, appraisals, and inheritance, as fixtures are typically included in the sale of real estate unless otherwise specified in the contract.

Other options may reference aspects of property law, but they do not accurately capture the legal status of a tree once it has been planted in the ground. For instance, while a tree could be considered an improvement in a broader sense, the more precise classification is that it becomes a fixture as part of the real property.