Trunk Fork Type

Pruning

Main Fork

Formative pruning appropriate if the aim is to obtain a higher trunk

Recurrent Fork

Removal of a fork element inappropriate. Let the tree ‘decide’ which shoot will relay the trunk. Intervene only if the recurrent fork seems to persist beyond three years of existence below the desired trunk height

Standby Fork

Pruning detrimental (lack of resources)

Accidental Fork without natural braces

Formative pruning appropriate if the aim is to obtain a higher trunk

Accidental Fork with natural braces

Removal of a fork element may be appropriate in early stages of development. If the fork is old, do not remove natural braces by default, as this may induce failure

Accidental Fork subsequent to loss of natural braces

Risk assessment necessary