Glossary term
What is Included bark?
Short answer
Included bark is bark that gets trapped between two stems or branches growing close together, forming a weak joint.
Included bark, explained for tree service owners
When two stems or branches grow tightly side by side in a narrow V shape, bark can get pinched between them instead of the wood joining together. That trapped bark is called included bark. The joint is weak because the two sides are not truly connected, and it can split under wind, ice or heavy snow. For a tree service owner, a tight V-shaped union is one of the first things to look for on a pruning or risk visit. Pointing it out to a homeowner with a photo is a simple way to explain why you suggest removing one stem or adding support, such as a cable. Short explanation, not an engineering opinion.
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.
- Cavity
A cavity is a hollow in a trunk or limb where wood has rotted away or been damaged.
- Conk
A conk is the hard, shelf-like body of a wood-decay fungus that grows on a trunk, branch or stump.
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