Branch structure

Joao_Felipe

What kind of branch structure makes the best (or the most beauttiful) result? Is it the fork ramification or the one with main branch and its side branches?
Thanks,
João Felipe Kudo

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TreeBay

Hi Joao,

Most trees have a combination of the two patterns. The lower 2/3 of the trunk trunk vs. its main branches is an example of "main & lateral" branching where there is often a distinction in size between the main trunk and its branching.

This provides visual queue for "TREE" which has an expectation of a well-defined trunk rising up into the canopy, as opposed to "SHRUB", which has many more-or-less equal branch structures. It also enables the viewer to appreciate the structure of the trunk and branches as distinct from the canopy

Branches, too should be distinct from their twigs. A general rule is that for the first 2/3 length branch, or trunk for that matter, There should be a distinction in caliper between main and auxilliary. At the 2/3 point (and it may be closer to 1/2 for some species or styles) The main trunk or branch begins to approach the diameter of the side branches and more of the "forked" branching appears where the branches appear to be approximately equal in caliper.

Christine's virtual of Walter's Stewartia is a good example of this. You can see the pattern of distinct weight differences at the base and interior of the tree becomes less distinct as you approach the perimeter of the canopy. Very often the final silhouette is defined by a halo or crown of tiny, almost identically sized branching in very fine ramification.


Hope this helps!

Matt

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Joao_Felipe

Matt,
I've always read in books or articles where the branch should be positioned in the trunk, but I've never seen how its structure should be. Thank you again,
João Felipe Kudo