Trunk and Nebari Rules
- Height should be six times the caliper of the trunk.
- Trunk should lean slightly toward the viewer.
- Trunk should flare at base to visually anchor the plant.
- Roots should radiate from the flare.
- No eye-poking roots (directly at viewer).
- Apex should lean toward viewer.
- Trunk should taper as it ascends. No reverse taper.
- Grafts should match under stock and scion so that they are unobtrusive, or be
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placed low enough to disappear into the nebari.
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Curves in trunk should not result in ‘pigeon breast’ (roundness toward viewer).
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Apex should finish in the direction set by the base. ‘Flow’ should be maintained.
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Trunk line should not move ‘back on itself’. It relates to the flow of the tree. A
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trunk line that moves back on itself creates a ‘C’ curve.
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For formal and informal upright, the apex should be over the base.
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In informal uprights, too many ‘S’ curves will be tiresome.
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As a tree ascends the curves should be closer together (related to branch placement).
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A tree should have only one apex.
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Twin tree trunks should divide at the base, not higher up.
