TQL
TQL
Grades & Standards
Introduction
Grade of a tree
Trunk Structure
Branch Structure
The crown
Pruning
 
 
Determining the Quality of Branch Arrangement
 


Instructions: Locate the drawing, caption and associated text below that most closely represents the branch structure of the tree you are grading. Circle the appropriate tree grade at the end of Step 2.
Note: All conifers, magnolias, hollies, loblolly bay and other narrow, upright trees are exempt from Step 2. Major branches on trees less than 5 feet tall do not have to be 4" or 6" apart to meet Florida #l or Florida Fancy standards, respectively.


Quality of Branch Arrangement


Florida Fancy

Several branches are larger in diameter (and obviously more dominant) than others. These (indicated by arrows) should be spaced at least 6" apart along the trunk. No branches are greater than 2/3 the diameter of the trunk measured directly above the branch. No major branches are oriented nearly vertical with the trunk. There may be temporary branches on the lower trunk, but these should be no larger than 1/5 the diameter of the trunk.

 

Florida #l
All branches are more or less equally dominant as shown in the left illustration; or, as shown in the illustration on the right, there are several dominant major branches but two are nearly equal diameter and less than 4" apart (see arrow at bottom). Other branches of nearly equal diameter are at least 4" apart. One branch in the upper half of the tree can be greater than 2/3 the diameter of the trunk measured directly above the branch. No branch tips are taller than the trunk (see arrow).
Note: A number of trees such as bald-cypress, and others with an excurrent (strong dominant leader) growth habit naturally have many lateral branches with a similar diameter. These trees should not be downgraded to Florida #1 due to this growth habit.

 

Florida #2
Most major branches are oriented vertically; and/or nearly equal-diameter major branches are located within 4" of each other at two or more positions on the trunk (see arrows); and/or one or more branches in the lower half of the tree are larger than 2/3 the diameter of the trunk measured directly above the branch.

 

Cull
All branches are growing vertically, and they are forming narrow angles with the trunk; or most major branches are growing from the same point on the trunk. Culls may have only a few large branches as in the illustration on the right. Some are less than 4' from the ground. Several branches of nearly equal diameter are opposite each other on the trunk.

 
 
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