木立(こだち)

Composed of 木(こ) (tree, an older form of 木(き)) + 立(だ)ち (standing). Has a literary, scenic quality and frequently appears in descriptions of landscapes, gardens, and rural settings. Unlike 森(もり) (forest), 木立(こだち) suggests a smaller, more open cluster of trees.

Common collocations

• 木立(こだち)の中(なか) — among the trees
• 木立(こだち)の影(かげ) — the shade of the trees
• 木立(こだち)に囲(かこ)まれた — surrounded by a grove of trees

Similar words

• 林(はやし) — woods; a smaller area of trees than a forest
• 森(もり) — forest; a larger, denser area of trees
• 並木(なみき) — row of trees; trees planted in a line along a road