The Branches
 Douglas L. Airhart & Guy Zimmerman III

Web Site Guide: [Home]

Purpose

Right Tree / Right Place

Selecting Trees

Transplanting Trees

Mulching & Staking

Summary Diagram 

Pruning Trees

Topping Hurts!

Protecting Trees

Tree Root Myths

Pine Bark Beetles

Live Christmas Trees

Glossary

List of Figures

List of Video Vignettes

Related Links

Bibliography

 

[ Up ] [ The Root System ] [ The Trunk ] [ The Branches ]

    Selecting Trees- The Branches:

Evergreen trees will usually have branches the full length of the trunk, but deciduous trees are usually pruned to clear the trunk to the lowest branches. The proper height to the lowest branches will depend on the location or use of the tree in the landscape, but this level can be raised as the tree matures. Keeping these lower branches on the trunk, even temporarily, helps the tree develop and maintain a good trunk taper.

Example of an Evergreen Spruce - Branch Symmetry: Video Vignette - (See It Live!) 

In general, the branch pattern should be relatively symmetrical and the branch stems should be evenly spaced completely around the trunk. Some trees may be more attractive from one direction, or perhaps even have a “back side”, but those trees may still be an acceptable purchase if the poor side can be turned toward a building or toward the rear of a grouping.  

Example of an Evergreen Holly - Ball and Burlap: Video Vignette - (See It Live!)

One common selection error is to choose trees with branches closely spaced at the top of the trunk. They may not appear cramped at the time of purchase, but as they eventually grow in thickness, just as the trunk will expand, they can become tightly spaced and create a weakness in that portion of the tree. Inspect the tree to ensure that the branches are also well spread and relatively evenly spaced the full length of the trunk.

(Figure 3-8)

Example of Poor Branch Spacing.

These branches will soon be crowding one another for space on the trunk, making their attachments weak.

No central leader is present. 

 

The canopy should appear open and airy, rather than appearing too dense (see  basic pruning section). The limbs should show no breakage or residual damage from transit or storage, and they should have a normal lateral spreading pattern. 

Some nurseries and garden centers will use twine to tie back the spreading branches of trees to make handling and storage easier. This should be a temporary practice while the tree is in transit, and the twine should be removed to let the branches return to their natural positions while it is waiting to be sold. If young flexible branches stay tied too long they will harden into that unnatural shape. It will require special tying over a period of years to correct the bent stems back to normal positions.

(Figure 3-9) Selection Criteria. This figure summarizes the main factors to consider when selecting landscape trees. Note that a distinct trunk flare is also visible. From Tree City USA Bulletin No. 1, 1997, Used with permission of The National Arbor Day Foundation.

 

(Figure 3-10a) Selection Criteria: 

This tree has no branches growing toward the left side. It was not a good choice for this open-area planting site.
(Figure 3-10b) Selection Criteria: 

This tree has many crowded, upright branches that will cause problems in the canopy as the tree matures.

 

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Purpose    Right Tree / Right Place    Selecting Trees    Transplanting Trees    Mulching & Staking    Summary Diagram     Pruning Trees    Topping Hurts!      Protecting Trees     Tree Root Myths     Pine Bark Beetles     Live Christmas Trees     Glossary     List of Figures    List of Video Vignettes    Related Links     Bibliography

 

TLCforTrees.info is maintained by: Douglas Airhart, Ph.D. Certified Arborist & Jeff Plant, Ph.D, Last Updated on: 07/11/03