Response of Acer rubrum L. ‘Florida Flame’ three growing seasons after structural pruning at planting.
| Measured tree attribute | Pruned at planting | Not pruned at planting | % reduction from pruningz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trunk diameter increase (cm) | 5.6 by | 6.1 a | 8 |
| Tree height increase (m) | 2.5 | 2.7 | nsx |
| CSAw of five largest-diameter branches (cm2) | 41.3 b | 55.5 a | 26 |
| CSA of largest-diameter branch (cm2) | 14.2 b | 20.6 a | 31 |
| Distance from top of tree at planting to the union of the highest branch that is among the five largest (m) | 0.7 b | 0.9 a | 22 |
| Aspect ratiov of the five largest-diameter branches | 0.55 | 0.59 | ns |
| Aspect ratio of the three largest-diameter branches | 0.60 b | 0.67 a | 10 |
| Aspect ratio of largest-diameter branch | 0.68 b | 0.76 a | 11 |
| CSA of largest-diameter branch with bark inclusion (cm2) | 11.0 b | 16.1 a | 32 |
| Size-ratiou (cm2) | 4.5 b | 6.5 a | 31 |
| Size-ratio on branch with largest CSA (cm2) | 9.7 b | 15.5 a | 37 |
| Number of five largest-diameter branches with an inclusion in the union | 3.1 | 3.3 | ns |
| Percent total CSA with inclusions in union | 40.7 a | 52.6 b | 23 |
| Bending stress to pull trunks to five degrees (MN/m2) | 22.2 | 21.7 | ns |
↵z Percent reduction = (not-pruned − pruned)/not-pruned × 100.
↵y Means within rows followed by the same letter are not statistically different (t-test) at P < 0.05.
↵x ns = P > 0.05.
↵w CSA = cross-sectional area.
↵v Aspect ratio = branch diameter ÷ trunk diameter just beyond union.
↵u Size-ratio = branch CSA × aspect ratio.