a major tree form resulting from strong apical control. Trees with this form have a strong central stem and pyramidal shape. Lateral branches rarely compete for dominance. Most conifers and a few hardwoods, such as sweetgum and tuliptree, have excurrent forms.
Excurrent branching is the type of branching that exists in a pine tree. There is one main trunk with a whorl of branches at each node. This is also known as Monopodial Branching.
A tree form in which the bole or main axis is clearly defined; the main stem outgrows the secondary, lateral branches due to strong apical dominance, usually resulting in a cone-shaped crown.