If we could persuade homeowners in Port Orange, Port St. John and the newer Volusia subdivisions to do one thing, it would be this.
What a codominant stem is
A well-formed tree has a single dominant leader with lateral branches attached to it. A codominant stem is where two stems of roughly equal size compete at the same point, forming a V rather than a U.
That union is structurally weak, and it gets weaker as the tree grows, because bark frequently becomes trapped between the two stems — included bark — preventing them from ever fusing properly. The union is effectively two trees pressed together rather than joined.
What it costs later
A mature tree failing at a codominant union splits the trunk, usually taking half the tree with it, usually in a storm, usually onto whatever is beneath. Removal of the remaining half is then also necessary.
That is a five-figure event on a mature tree near a house.
What it costs now
On a fifteen-year-old tree, the subordinate stem can be reduced or removed with hand pruners in a few minutes. It is the cheapest intervention in arboriculture by an enormous margin.
When to do it
Between roughly five and twenty years is the window. Young enough that cuts are small and the tree compartmentalises them easily; old enough that the structure is visible.
After that, correcting a codominant union means removing a large stem, which leaves a large wound and may not be advisable at all. On a mature tree the answer shifts to cabling and bracing — managing the defect rather than correcting it.
What to look for on your own trees
- Two or more stems of similar diameter competing at the same height.
- A narrow V-shaped union rather than a U-shaped one.
- A visible bark ridge pushed up between two stems, which indicates included bark.
- Branches that are more than about half the diameter of the trunk at their attachment.
- Crossing and rubbing branches.
What not to do
Do not top the tree. Do not remove more than about a quarter of the live crown in a season. Do not use wound paint. And do not have it done by somebody working from the ground with a pole saw who cannot see the structure they are shaping.
We do structural pruning on young trees across Volusia and north Brevard, and it is the work we most wish more people asked for.
Need a real set of eyes on your tree?
ArboristRX handles removals, trimming, stump grinding and 24/7 emergency work across Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange, Oak Hill and Volusia County.
📞 Call (386) 444-5959