This is a general question about trees. - Ask Extension
Do the branches of a tree go up with the tree as it gets taller. For example, does a branch that starts at a foot off the ground stay at a foot or end...
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This is a general question about trees. #900487
Asked May 07, 2025, 3:11 PM EDT
Do the branches of a tree go up with the tree as it gets taller. For example, does a branch that starts at a foot off the ground stay at a foot or end up at20 ft after the tree has grown 20 feet.
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Annie,
That is a good question! Trees have two kinds of growth, primary and secondary. Primary growth occurs at the tips of the crown and roots. Secondary is growth of the trees width or girth. So as the tree grows it will get taller, but the lower branches will stay approximately the same height. The new growth will be added to the top of the tree, and the tree will become wider in girth that will not affect the position of the branches.
I am sending you a couple of links to explain this in more detail. Thank you for contacting the Boulder County Master Gardeners
How Trees Grow:
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2025/01/how-trees-grow-part-i
Tree Growth:
https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/11/Tree-growth-characterisitics-UT-Publication-W227.pdf
That is a good question! Trees have two kinds of growth, primary and secondary. Primary growth occurs at the tips of the crown and roots. Secondary is growth of the trees width or girth. So as the tree grows it will get taller, but the lower branches will stay approximately the same height. The new growth will be added to the top of the tree, and the tree will become wider in girth that will not affect the position of the branches.
I am sending you a couple of links to explain this in more detail. Thank you for contacting the Boulder County Master Gardeners
How Trees Grow:
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2025/01/how-trees-grow-part-i
Tree Growth:
https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/11/Tree-growth-characterisitics-UT-Publication-W227.pdf
