Ace the Certified Arborist 2025 Exam – Branch Out to Success!

Leaving temporary lower branches on a young tree primarily serves the purpose of developing trunk taper. As the tree grows, these branches contribute to the formation of a strong and stable trunk. The presence of these branches encourages the tree to allocate resources towards the trunk's growth, promoting an increase in its diameter and structural integrity. This tapering effect is essential for maintaining stability as the tree matures, helping it withstand environmental stresses such as wind and heavy snow loads.

The other choices relate to different aspects of tree care and defects. For example, included bark deals with growth anomalies that can occur when branches grow closely together, leading to structural weaknesses. While reduction is an important practice in managing tree size and health, it does not pertain directly to the development of trunk taper in young trees. Cabling, on the other hand, is a support mechanism often used to address specific structural defects rather than the general trunk development associated with lower branches.