Tree #5: Co-dominant Leaders With Bark Inclusion

The main vertical stem of a tree is called the leader. Many trees have forms which are naturally multi-trunked, and that's okay, as long as the branch attachments are strong. The wider of an angle a branch is at from the trunk, the stronger that branch attachment is likely to be. Problems come when trees form two or more leaders with included bark (where bark is included in the branch attachment). The weight of the leader combined with the weak branch attachment makes it much more likely that the leader will fail.


This is a fairly young tree I found near PCC Cascade on Killingsworth. It has four equally sized branches emerging from the main trunk. This is not in its self a structural danger.



















However, when this happens, it is a problem. This creased, folded look between two of the leaders indicates that bark is included in the branch attachment. This, combined with the very acute angle of the attachment, makes it quite likely to fail later in its life.

Given the relatively small size of this tree, it could quite easily be removed and replaced, solving the problem immediately.