A DRAM cell of the trench capacitor type is formed by a simplified process that reduces cost and increases process latitude by forming the trench collar in a single step of expanding a shallow trench horizontally and conformally coating the collar; etching the trench to its final depth and implanting the bottom heavily and doping the walls lightly; recessing the poly liner in a non-critical step that exposes a contact area between the top of the poly and the adjacent transistor electrode.