Poor Branch attachment (V- Shaped Fork) Figure 1    Poor branch attachment can be recognized as a sharp angle where major branches join to the main trunk of the tree (Hickman, et al., 1989) (Figure 1). If the angle where they join is more like a narrow V than a U, then the union should be examined for included bark. Included bark occurs where two stems or main branches grow at such an acute angle that the bark from both stems becomes imbedded making an extremely weak branch union. When branches or co-dominant stems (two or more stems growing at the same rate, from more or less the same position) with included bark increase in size, they may split from the trunk (Shigo, 1990). Poor branch attachment also includes situations when a number of branches are attached to the main stem at the same position. This could occur as a result of pollarding, topping or a failure to properly prune the tree when it was young. Epicormic shoots following topping, pruning or storm damage have poor attachment as well (Shigo, 1990). Three classes for poor attachment can be recognized: 0 Branches properly attached, there are no signs of poor attachment 1 A V-shaped union between a minor branch and the main stem (the diameter of the branch is 1/2 of the diameter, or less, than the branch or main stem where it is  attached). There is no evidence of included bark, but the angle of the fork is such that there is a potential for this to appear as the tree grows. This category also includes epicormic shoots following topping, pruning or storm damage, etc. 2 As in 1, but the branch is more than 1/2 of the diameter of the branch or main stem where it is attached, and there is evidence of included bark but no breakage. This category also includes trees with epicormic shoots resulting from poor pruning or breakage, and multiple trunks or co-dominant stems. Multiple stems are trunks of equal size and/or relative importance arising from the base of the tree, co-dominant stems are major branches of similar diameter arising in the crown of the tree. 3 As in 2, but with evidence of a crack between the stems. Tree ProblemsLean