Branches are cut back to laterals that are at least one-third the diameter of the limb being removed. Trees with this form have several to many lateral branches that compete with the central stem for dominance resulting in a spherical or globose crown.
Most hardwood trees have decurrent forms.
In older wood, epicormic shoots often result from severe defoliation or radical pruning. Lateral branches rarely compete for dominance. Most conifers and a few hardwoods, such as sweetgum and tuliptree, have excurrent forms. American national standard for tree care operators. Standard practices for tree shrub and other woody plant maintenance.