Glossary term
What is Central leader?
Short answer
A central leader is the single main upright stem that runs up the middle of a tree.
Central leader, explained for tree service owners
The central leader is the main vertical stem that forms the center of the tree's shape. Many conifers and some hardwoods, such as sweetgum, grow best with one strong leader and side branches spaced along it. If the leader breaks or a second stem takes over, the tree may end up with codominant stems, which are weaker. For a tree service owner, protecting the leader is a basic rule when you prune young trees or plant new ones. Do not cut the top of a young tree that should keep its leader unless there is a clear reason. A little early care costs far less than correcting a poor structure on a tree that is already large.
Related terms
- Codominant stems
Codominant stems are two or more trunks of about equal size that grow from the same spot and compete to be the main leader.
- Branch bark ridge
Branch bark ridge is the raised line of bark on the top of the joint where a branch meets the trunk.
- Branch collar
Branch collar is the slightly swollen ring of tissue at the base of a branch where it joins the trunk or a larger limb.
- Scaffold branch
A scaffold branch is one of the main permanent limbs that form the framework of a tree's crown.
- Wound wood
Wound wood is the ring of new tissue a tree grows around a wound to close it over time.
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