How do you draw a tree?

You can start by thinking about the trunk. How does the tree hold itself up? Is it an erect, straight form, or a wide supportive base?

Consider how the branches spread. Are leaves sparse, concentrated towards the end of the branches, or growing densely directly from the bark?

What shapes do the leaves make? Are they rounded and wide? Are they sharp and pointed, or thin and weeping? Do they have a unique texture?

When drawing in perspective for a landscape plan, these are the essential aspects that give a drawing life at any scale. Detail disappears quickly with distance, so focusing on the “architecture” of the tree effectively conveys how a particular plant might add interest into a landscape.