excurrent branching

plant anatomy

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June 17, 2026

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Excurrent branching is a plant anatomy characteristic where a tree develops a well-defined dominant trunk with smaller lateral branches. This is in contrast to deliquescent branching, where the central axis divides into branches of similar dimensions, creating a crown. Palms, for example, exhibit a columnar form without branching until the apex of the trunk. This type of branching is a significant feature in the overall structure and growth of trees.1

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The anatomy and organization of wood
…with smaller lateral branches (excurrent branching). Many angiosperms show for some part of their development a well-defined central axis, which then divides continually to form a crown of branches of similar dimensions (deliquescent branching). This can be found in many oaks, the honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), the silver linden…
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…with smaller lateral branches (excurrent branching). Many angiosperms show for some part of their development a well-defined central axis, which then divides continually to form a crown of branches of similar dimensions (deliquescent branching). This can be found in many oaks, the honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), the silver linden…
Read More